What exactly is this card?

[Infinitrium]

I'm seriously looking to replace my ancient 32 meg Geforce 2 GTS with something better and I came across this website that has some really good prices on video cards. This website lists a 9700 Pro for 99.98 US. I looked at the specs on that site, and something seems a bit odd.

RADEON® 9700 PRO is the most advanced graphics board in its category, featuring ATI's RADEON 9700 PRO Visual Processing Unit (VPU), supporting AGP design specifications. Through a combination of incredible 3D rendering performance, sophisticated real-time visual effects, industry-leading image quality, processing speed, and cutting-edge video features, it takes the PC entertainment experience to a totally new level.

Features:

* 128MB DDR memory accelerates the latest 3D games.
* 256-bit memory interface removes hardware performance bottleneck and provides end users with faster 3D graphics.
* SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0 technology.
* Complete DirectX® 9.0 support.
* Features including VIDEOSHADER™ and FULLSTREAM™ technologies
* ATI's industry-leading software suite - CATALYST ™
* A real 9700 Pro,290*2 mhz Memory Speed,come with jarless and great performance.


Specification:
Chipset: ATi 9700 Pro (107+ million transistors)
Performance Graphics Core: 256-bit
Memory: 128MB onboard DDR RAM
Effective Memory Clock Rate: 580MHz
Engine Clock: 325MHz
Pixels Per Clock (peak): 4
Textures per Pixel (max per pass): 16
Bus: AGP 4X/8X
DirectX 3D Hardware: DirectX 9
OpenGL version: OpenGL1.4
RAMDAC: Dual 400MHz RAMDACs
Output options: DVI-I Output / TV Output / VGA Output
OS Support: Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 9x

The only card I could find searching through Google with those memory and core clocks is a 9800 non-pro. I did some searching with the part number (109-94200-30) and on one website, some people seem to think it's a 9700 on the 9500 PCB (might be the other way around) flashed with the 9700 pro bios. What's the deal? Even if that's true, for the price do you think it's worth buying? The price is right up my alley, and even if it is just a modded 9500 pro or whatever, I'd still like to get it, as it would be sooooooooo much better than my current video card, which crashes constantly playing San Andreas. Yes, it's a 32 meg card but it does play SA, but the framerates are just crap, as you could imagine. Here's a link to that website that's selling the card. It has a pic of the card on the site too, but I don't know if it's of the actual card or not.



Is this really a 9700 Pro?

 

[grazzhoppa]

One thing that looks weird is: Pixels Per Clock (peak): 4

That means it has 4 pixel pipelines, I think. 9700s have 8.

The memory speed looks a bit slow too because a 9700pro should have at least 300mhz.
The specifications match a 9800se - 4 pixel pipes, 325 core, 290 mem - except for the 256bit memory interface.

I would call/email the store and get some clarification or just not buy it at all.


www.pricewatch.com is great for picking out parts according to your budget but always be wary of the store's rating.

 

[Infinitrium]

If it is a 9800SE with the 256 bit memory interface, wouldn't I be able to softmod it to a 9800 Pro? That sounds pretty intriguing.

 

[grazzhoppa]

If it is a 9800SE with the 256 bit memory interface, wouldn't I be able to softmod it to a 9800 Pro? That sounds pretty intriguing.

Assuming it is a 9800se, there's the possibility you could do the softmod. But that's only a 50/50 chance.

It's listed as a 9700pro, but doesn't have the 9700pro's specs. You don't know what's going on there. An employee pasted the wrong info maybe? You don't know what you'll get if you order it.

 

[wazzledoozle]

Not worth the risk.

Here is a REAL 9700 Pro for $110-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131199

 

[Thermopylae_480]

Those card specs look a lot like a 9800 SE, but the card itself looks like a 9700 Pro. I think the website screwed up somewhere.

 

[Infinitrium]

Bah, 9800SE, 9700 Pro..either way, for $130 Canadian shipped, it's a good deal...isn't it? I emailed the website and asked them what kind of card it really is, hopefully tomorrow they'll get back to me.

 

[Karamas]

The description makes it sound like a 9800 but it looks like a 9700. I put in this description on new egg and the card does not apear to exist.