Sapphire Radeon 9500 Softmod worth the risk?
i recently read about how 9500's with L shaped ram can be softmodded to a 9700 np. I read that this http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?dept_id=124&pid=6538&ad=pwatch# radeon 9500 can softmod to a 9700. I can get this exact same card, or a black sapphire one that is said to work here.... http://softmod.ocfaq.com/faq.php off of ebay for less than $100. I know that softmodding isn't guaranteed to work. Knowing this, is it still worth it to get this card? (could u still get a good oc out of it?, im running on a 9200 se with speeds 288 core and 198 memory)
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Both of them, as long as they have their memory modules arranged in the "L" layout (like the 9700's) will be able to be soft-modded to 9700 NP's, but that does NOT guarantee that they will successfully softmod.
To get to 9700 Pro level, you'll need to overclock, but YMMV.
Quite honestly, it isn't worth it. You can find Radeon 9800 Pro's on sale occasionally for $199.00 USD, which would be a much better investment than a 9500 that may (or may not) soft mod correctly.
Hell, just yesterday NewEgg had refurbed Sapphire 9800 Pro's for $166.00 and brand-new MSI 9800 Pro's for $190.00 USD.
I just sold one yesterday. For the $85 range, you cannot find another video card that will come close to an overclocked, 8-pipe, 9500Pro. That card will competently play any game out in the market today.
Quadomatic, if you are really interested, PM me, and I'll point you in the right direction to find a used, already-modded 9500Pro.
I need to hedge a little on "That card will competently play any game out in the market today". Doom 3 might give it a struggle if the card isn't overclocked. But then, that's why we do the soft mod!
Doom 3 System Requirements