256M 9800: does it run hot, and should I care?

[Apos]

I'm considering buying a 256M 9800 Pro, in anticipation of higher quality normal maps and such in HL2. But every review I've read lists, as a down point, that it runs incredibly hot. My new system is probably already going to be toasty (not OC anything, but a 3.0G processor and 1GB of memory), and I'd really like to balance coolness with quietness, so I don't want to stuff in too many fans. Does anyone here actually HAVE this card? And can you tell me anything about it? I know its too much memory for current games, but I'm not certain I'm buying it, just need to consider all the facts first.

 

[Prince of China]

Do it man! Buy it, it's worth it.
Nowadays, games require 64MB, then they're gonna require 128 and etc..be prepared man, and that DX9 feature is gonna come in handy, that' s the only reason I havn't slapped my 9600 yet

 

[ag3nt187]

I have the Sapphire 9800pro 256mb card.


Yes, it runs pretty damn hot. But, I can touch it and it wont burn me


Just make sure you get a case with lots of fans.

 

[ag3nt187]

As far as gameplay, the card completely kicks ass.

I'm an avid Planetside player, and one of the reasons i got the card was because I heard they were supposed to run MMORPG's really well. Or at least quite a bit better then their 128mb counterpart.

As far as all other games your only getting a mere 3% increase in frames unless you are running in 1600x1200 with AA/AF cranked.

I would say wait until you see HL2 benchmarks with it until you buy one. Or, when it comes I could tell you what I got.


here's a quick snippet from firingsquad.com's HL2 performance preview:

"The RADEON 9800 PRO and 9600 PRO take huge hits with 4xAA enabled, nearly 50% at 1024x768. We were told that the 256MB RADEON 9800 PRO performs considerably better than the 128MB card in this scenario, but we didn’t have a card on hand to confirm this. Keep in mind that these numbers weren’t taken with the final AA fix in place so performance could be better in the retail game."

http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/hl2_performance_preview_part2/default.asp

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Whoa whoa tred, easy. Apos, the 256mb version will give you maybe.... 5 FPS, ONLY in high resolutions. If your monitor doesnt even support anything above 12x10 then theres no reason to even think about buying. Heres one to prove that: http://www.beyond3d.com/reviews/ati/9800_256/

The difference between the 128mb and 256mb versions are almost IDENTICAL. Surely not worth the $100+ it is.

 

[Apos]

I just wish Valve would be more forthcoming on both their plans and benchmark performance for all the cards out there with all the settings so we could really know what we can get with what. That and be clearer about the release date so I know WHEN I should plop down my megabucks.

But I kinda dont WANT a lot of fans, that's the point. Is getting this card over a 128M version going to require that I get another case fan on top of the others jsut to keep up?

 

[Apos]

It could be worth it when games like HL2 and D3 get upgraded content. One major promised feature for 256 cards in HL2 are uncompressed normal maps, which vastly increase the quality of those cool, shiny detail bumps. That and betters textures.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

I wouldnt spend that $100 more...

 

[ag3nt187]

I hear ya, I wanted to see benchies of the 9700 pro/9700 as well as the 9800 non-pro. I know that they didn't have much time and all to bench, but it would have been great.

I only have 2 case fans and I haven't had any problems with it at all. Even when I OC it a lil.

If you plan on getting the 9800 pro 128mb, then check out this card. It's brand new I believe, and they said it runs almost completely silent. Not to mention it OC's like a mofo.


http://www.ocprices.com/index.php?rev_id=183&page=4&action=reviews


they gave it the gold award or whatever for the 9800 pro shootout.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Apos, this should also help: http://www.ocprices.com/index.php?rev_id=183&page=8&action=reviews

 

[Apos]

People, I know all about the price issue. I'm concerned about HEAT. Thanks ag3 and sgt

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Heat? What about it? Same as the 128.

 

[Apos]

No: most reviews say it runs hotter. The memory is different, and overclocked to compensate for a higher latency.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

It might run higher then the 128, but its obviously not going to kill the card.