R9600pro has disappeared from Newegg

[AsteralTraveler]

The Sapphire retail version no longer shows on Newegg's site, and as a matter of fact, it doesn't show up in my "wish list", (that tells me a few things about how their wish lists work), or my "auto-notify" section. I know that as of Friday, they were out of stock, and the ETA showed as today, so I'm wondering what the deal is? Is this standard procedure? Price change coming? (Pricewatch.com last update was July 7th)

I also read on Sapphire's site that starting August 1st they'll be bundling the retail version with Tomb Raider. Could it be that I'll have to wait 'til August?

AT

[agathodaimon]

yeah, i noticed that sometimes they will pull items out of the blue... I just bought a heatsink last week, now they don't even stock it anymore.

My video card was also off the site the week after I bought it... Maybe it's a curse?

But I don't know whether they'll get the exact one back in that you were looking at... Looks like you'll have to wait and find out...

[AsteralTraveler]

Well, I guess if I have to wait, I'll wait. What I like about the Sapphire version, other than the fact that I don't see anybody complaining about them, or giving them bad reviews, is that their retail bundle is pretty generous.

I don't yet have a microprocessor in my... work-in-progress anyway.

[SiliconJon]

The benchmarks I've seen put the 9500pro above the 9600pro, with res AA & Anis set high: http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic..._guide-13.html


And I've had that happen before with NewEgg. Just wait a day (or four), and it will likely return. Don't know where they take them...

[AsteralTraveler]

Thanks SJ. Yes, I've read that review. I know the 9500 is a better performer, but how much longer will it be supported...etc? One of the reasons I decided to put together my own system was because, after paying $2300 plus tax and shipping for a Gateway PII three years ago, just to see it become obsolete 3 months after I bought it, I realized I was wasting money. By purchasing parts piece by peice, it's cheaper in the long run, and I know I'm getting the latest technology. I know that I'm going to be absolutely blown away by the graphics when I start up a game for the first time (as long as the drivers don't cause it to crash!!), and since I'm coming from a 15 inch monitor connected to an nVidia RIVA TNT card with 16mb of ram, I'm sure I'll never know what I'm missing with the 9500.

The Sapphire card uses Samsung memory, the 130 nM chip consumes less power allowing the elimination of an external power connection, and again, comes with a fairly up-to-date game offering. Newegg is offering the Pro Ultimate version, which I assume is the same as what Sapphire is calling the limited edition "Fireblade" card, but it doesn't show a picture of what's in the package. I'll see how things look in the beginning of August.

[SiliconJon]

The 9500 will be supported as long as the 9600, they're not far apart. And watch out for those bundled games. I've found many of the titles included in video card packages at local software shops for $5/ea, and that a NEW retail box, not an OEM bundle CD. So don't pay much for them.

[AsteralTraveler]

Yeah but SJ, I'm already using the Radeon 9600 Pro wallpaper on my laptop at work, so I'm kinda committed don't ya think?

Looks like both Pro cards are hard to come by right now, so, the wait continues.

Edit: I just put the ATI 9500 Pro retail on my wish list. ($205 @ Newegg) After rereading the article at TechReport.com, and realizing ATI has a history of new releases that don't always stand up to previous cards, the obvious conclusion is the latest ain't always the greatest. Thanks for pointing this out SJ.

I just hope it performs well when I get my hands on Doom III, whenever that's released.