9600 or 9800

[07mavribea]

What is the better performing video card as they are the same price. The Sapphire 9600XT 256mb or 9800SE 128mb? Please help

[Mt_Goat]

It is really debateable and may depend on what you play. Just how critical is price? If you can go just a little higher I would recomend doing so and going with a 9800 Pro (http://www2.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A9545&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=48&Submit=Property) which is far better than either card you mentioned.

My recomendation is the second one as the first is on a R350 core not the true R360 core but still a good card.
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A9545&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=48&Submit=Property

[lemonlime]

Both are good midrange cards. I believe the 9800SE has some 'tweaking potential', and can be softmodded for much better performance. Don't let the 256MB fool you, it really wont make a difference on those cards.

My recommendation would be to take a look at the Nvidia 6600GT. There is an AGP version, and right now, seems to be the best bang for the buck. As mtgoat mentioned above as well, the 9800 pro is also still a great card. If you are an ATI fan , that'd be a winner as well :D