Confused about 9500Pro

[Tom Salvin]

I'm unclear as to what happened with the 9500 Pro. It seems ATI discontinued
it several months ago and now NewEgg and very few others are offering it
again over retail price. Is ATI playing with us by withholding a pretty good
card and then dumping old stock back on the market? And, given that it is
now available at $205 vs. $179 for the 9600 Pro, which is the better buy? Of
course, we have to take into consideration present support and future
support from ATI (who knowingly buys a discountinued product?). I've read
the reviews and will be happy with either I'm sure, but I don't understand
the marketing and what the motivation is. Last week it seemed many partner
companies (Sapphire, Connect3D, etc.) had the card for a day or so and then
it disappeared--or so it seemed at the website listings. Anybody know what
is going on? I know this ng is well versed in this and I have been watching
for this for about a week and I haven't seen any discussions concerning it.
Any extra info would be appreciated. TIA

 

[Sam]

I'm unclear as to what happened with the 9500 Pro. It seems ATI discontinued
it several months ago and now NewEgg and very few others are offering it
again over retail price. Is ATI playing with us by withholding a pretty good
card and then dumping old stock back on the market? And, given that it is
now available at $205 vs. $179 for the 9600 Pro, which is the better buy? Of
course, we have to take into consideration present support and future
support from ATI (who knowingly buys a discountinued product?). I've read
the reviews and will be happy with either I'm sure, but I don't understand
the marketing and what the motivation is. Last week it seemed many partner
companies (Sapphire, Connect3D, etc.) had the card for a day or so and then
it disappeared--or so it seemed at the website listings. Anybody know what
is going on? I know this ng is well versed in this and I have been watching
for this for about a week and I haven't seen any discussions concerning it.
Any extra info would be appreciated. TIA

From what I understand, the 9500 is superior to the 9600. I think the
current rendition of the 9500 is the 9700. In fact, the drivers all say
9500/9700.

Sam

 

[Gary Young]

Try to find the 9500 pro at closeout somewhere. I picked mine up at Best
Buy (Built by ATI retail) for $140 a couple of weeks ago. (straight
sale...no rebates)

 

[John David Carter]

I'm unclear as to what happened with the 9500 Pro. It seems ATI discontinued
it several months ago and now NewEgg and very few others are offering it
again over retail price. Is ATI playing with us by withholding a pretty good
card and then dumping old stock back on the market? And, given that it is
now available at $205 vs. $179 for the 9600 Pro, which is the better buy? Of
course, we have to take into consideration present support and future
support from ATI (who knowingly buys a discountinued product?). I've read
the reviews and will be happy with either I'm sure, but I don't understand
the marketing and what the motivation is. Last week it seemed many partner
companies (Sapphire, Connect3D, etc.) had the card for a day or so and then
it disappeared--or so it seemed at the website listings. Anybody know what
is going on? I know this ng is well versed in this and I have been watching
for this for about a week and I haven't seen any discussions concerning it.
Any extra info would be appreciated. TIA

The 9500Pro has 8 pixel pipes, compared to 4 for the 9600Pro...

So, if all other things are equal, then the 9500Pro would be faster.
Although the 9600Pro clocks faster, that can't make up for twice the
throughput in some things.

The difference between the 9700Pro and the 9500Pro is 265 bit and 128 bit
memory interfaces respectively ( the 9600Pro has 128 bit memory too ).

I have seen some people close out the 9500Pro, but most have actually raised
the price...

Better to get the 9700np and overclock...

If you can get the 9500Pro at the same price as the 9600Pro, then go for
it...

 

[Thomas]

From what I understand, the 9500 is superior to the 9600. I think the
current rendition of the 9500 is the 9700. In fact, the drivers all
say 9500/9700.

9500 and 9700 are same generation, NOT same speed; 9700 has 256 bit memory,
9500 has 128 bit.

9500 Pro is slightly superior to 9600Pro...

Thomas