Which 9600 Pro card would you choose?

[Danny G]

Guys,

I have been looking at various cards for my new computer (it has AGPx8 enabled). I am not a major gamer but my g/f is and I do occasioanlly use some graphically intensive games. I have narrowed the choices down to (The prices are in AUD before anyone asks):

Gigacube ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128mb DDR/TV Out $295

Hightech ATI Radeon 9600 PRO 128mb AGP 8X $335

Power Color Radeon 9600 PRO EZ 128MB TV/DVI-I $250

Power Color Radeon 9600 PRO EZ 256MB TV/DVI-I $295

Currently I don't know how long it will take for these cards to come into stock.

Creative ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128mb TV Out/DVI $295

Power Color Radeon 9600 Pro 128mb Bravo Edition $330

So what do you guys recommend I go for?

PS For the Aussies out there, these prices are courtesy of Scorptec Technology (http://www.scorptec.com.au/index.php?catid=00000035&subid=00000060) who are based in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.

[EvErY_DaY]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA= go here for an ati raiden 9600 pro 172(dollers usa)

[nocturnx]

Get a 9500 Pro, they are better and cheaper :)

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?pid=6192&ad=pwatch

[glc]

Folks - DannyG is in Australia - don't quote US sources for components, just critique his options as stated.

From a price/performance/quality manufacturer standpoint, I think I'd take that $295 Creative.

[lil Jimmie]

If it were me I'd follow Glc advice and go with the Creative and second choice would be the PowerColor Bravo Edition. I see they carry Sapphire but ouch on the price. I would avoid the EZ as they are prolly lower clocked versions of the card.

[Surge1243]

The EZ version cards have a much slower memory clock speed (200 MHz actual, 400 MHz effective) than the standard 9600 Pro (300 MHz actual, 600 MHz effective).

[Danny G]

Thanks for your opinion guys. I will go for the Creative card as recommended here and by mates.

As for the prices. they are in Australian dollars so those that see them and think ouch the price actually mulitply by 0.70. So that Sapphire crad is actually closer to $277 US. Not so bad then. But then again not so good either.

You guys dont realise hwo cheap parts are over there.