Bradman's Full Review: ATI RADEON® 9800 Pro, (128 MB) AGP Video Card
I recently upgraded my video card from a GeForce Ti4200 to this baby. I was getting OK game playing from the GeForce at 1024x768 with most effects turned on (but no AA). With this card I have run 1280x1024 with 4xAA and everytying looks GREAT! (The resolution of the image say "1024x768" is how many pixels make up the screen and "AA" refers to anti-ailasing which smooths out the jagges edges on objects)
I ran various 3DMark2001 benchmarks to compare the differences and in defalult 1024x768 with no AA I was getting ~9200 for the GeForce Ti4200 and I got ~12200 with the Radeon. The difference got much greater as the resolution increased and AA got turned on. I think at 1280x1024 with 4xAA I got ~4000 on the GeForce and ~9500 on the Radeon.
The installation was very straightforward, just be sure to follow the directions. The card required a power connector, like the kind powering a hard drive. ATI included a Y-cable which allow you to tap into a connector powering an existing item. (So you don't need an "free" power connector).
The drivers included on the CD are working fine but there are newer ones out on the web. I will try them out this weekend. The visual quality is exceptional and the ATI drivers seem to be well written. I did not have any issues and my system is stable. I am running a Gigabyte GA-7VRXP motherboard like the other reviewer, but I don't know why he/she had problems. Perhaps they need the latest BIOS or VIA 4in1 drivers?
Overall I am very satisfied with the performance but I wish the card was cheaper. I think there is a non pro version out for $299 but I couldn't find any benchmarks to say how much faster the "pro" model is so I went with the pro.
Games coming out this fall (Doom 3 and Half-Life 2) should really showcase this card.
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