Which Radeon 9800SE should I buy?

Bane the ECF · Oct 15, 2003, 11:53 PM

Model - R98SE-C3, Core and Memory speed 380 / 340 MHz 2.8ns

Model - XR98SE-C3, Core and Memory speed 325 / 250 MHz 5ns

I have no clue which is supposed to be the one with the 256-bit memory bus (which I understand is the one that you want to mod) and which has only the 128-bit memory bus.

Bane

Warpy · Oct 16, 2003, 12:49 AM

I'd say both have a 128bit BUS.

Its only the PRO that has 256bit Bus.

128bit = 4 pipelines (9800 SE)
256bit = 8 pipelines (9800 PRO)

Check this

article

Quote:

I may be onto a scam at Fry's electronics or it may be happening on a wider scale. You buy a RETAIL BOXED Radeon9800 Pro 128MB. Take it home and all seems fine. But careful inspection of the part reveals the part number isn't even ATI!!!! It's a part number used for OEM for companies includiong PowerColor and Visiontek.

What's worse is that further inspection of the FCC-ID and BGA memory chips shows that the card is not in fact a 9800 Pro 128, but an SE model that has been force-flashed with the Pro bios. The card is still factory sealed, whatever the hell that means anyway. While there is an ATI logo on the fan and on the board, the board's logo does not represent the POWERED by ACTUAL ATi or BUILT by ATi designation assigned to ALL TRUE ATi cards that are REALLY made by ATi and not 3rd party vendor.

The PN to watch for is 109-A07500-00 While it is a Pro model for Visiontek, it's also the Powercolor 9800 SE card that is masquerading as a 9800 Pro, but is nothing more than a pre-overclocked card using the same ATI flash Utility I have. I flashed the ATi bios with the Powercolor SE bios and the glitches went away! I then returned it and got a different one that had the same part number but had the Visiontek Pro FCC-ID and it works fine with the Pro BIOS.

This may also explain why some aren't able to overclock their 9800 Pro's EVEN with additional cooling as the card is already clocked to it's conceivable limit, as well as possibly explain why some 9800 Pros show severe graphics corruption even with the machine set at defaults with NO overclocking. The card is OEM. But somehow is finding it's way into ATi Retail boxed packages!!! Retail ATI cards use a different part naming heirarchy.

Sharkims · Oct 16, 2003, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bane the ECF
Model - R98SE-C3, Core and Memory speed 380 / 340 MHz 2.8ns

Model - XR98SE-C3, Core and Memory speed 325 / 250 MHz 5ns

I have no clue which is supposed to be the one with the 256-bit memory bus (which I understand is the one that you want to mod) and which has only the 128-bit memory bus.

Bane

The first model that you listed can not be an SE.... That has much to fast of a core clock, if I'm not mistaken. Those are PRO speeds.

Warpy · Oct 16, 2003, 02:04 AM

probaby SE's flashed to PRo's

The_Neon_Cowboy · Oct 16, 2003, 02:59 AM

links to these cards?