Digital Trends

Crucial Radeon 9600 Pro

December 21st, 2003 | by Doug Hall

Introduction

Built on the RADEON success story and definitely a winner on cost compared to it's big brother. The Crucial RADEON 9600 Pro is by far the best value we have run into yet in the battle for price versus performance. Bigger, faster, better? Not really. You won't get bragging rights at the local LAN party with this card, but you certainly will be able to afford to attend. With decent performance and a price tag that is a whole lot easier to swallow than other video card offerings, this card might be the solution you are seeking in a new video card. The new retail packaging scheme from Crucial is a nice addition from a company known for it's “POB” (plain ole' box) video cards from previous generations.

Features and Design

Features

• Dual-Display Support: Leading-edge technology, fully optimized with HYDRAVISION™, provides the flexibility to support multiple combinations of traditional CRT monitors, flat-panel displays, and even TVs.
• VIDEOSHADER™ technology provides seamless integration of programmable pixel shaders and video data, resulting in accelerated video processing and higher visual quality.
• New SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and graphics.
• FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality.
• SMOOTHVISION™ 2.1 technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and bringing out fine texture detail without compromising performance.

General Specifications

·                            Powered by the RADEON™ 9600 Pro VPU, technology designed to utilize four-pixel pipeline architecture

·                            128-bit DDR memory interface, featuring HYPER Z™ III+ bandwidth-conserving technology

·                            128MB of DDR SDRAM memory

·                            400-MHz RAMDAC

·                            AGP 8X/4X compatible

·                            VGA connector, TV-out connector, DVI-I

·                            Fully supports Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and OpenGL

The Crucial RADEON 9600 Pro uses the same Samsung K4D263238E-GC2A  2.8 nanosecond memory modules which are the same chips that are rated at 350 MHz that the 9800 version of the card uses.

A shot of the RV350 on the left and the R350 on the right, Crucial and ATI, together, attempt to bring the newest technology to the playing field at a reasonable price.