The end-all, be all of 2nd gen graphics cards.

Please Note: I bought this card refurbed, so I didn't get the drivers and cables, so I really can't comment on out-of-the-box installation.

This card rocks. Not only does it play every game I've come across (minus Doom 3) with all settings maxed @ 1024x768 (Limited by my LCD), but you can watch/record TV using it.

First off... I'll describe the drivers, since you need those before you can do anything. ATI does do a pretty good job at giving their customers half-way decent drivers. Their latest driver set for the Radeon series of cards is pretty good and (dare I say it?!?) is getting close to Nvidia's AWESOME drivers. The drivers installed easily and I have not had any issues with them, atleast on the AIW 9800 PRO. Their is another set of drivers that can be found on the net; the Omega drivers, which are simply modified ATI drivers. They are even better (for most people anyway). They just boost image quality a tad, and add some extra features.

The gaming experience on the 9800 Pro is unreal. Games look life like. If you don't believe me, then ask a friend with high-end computer to download the GTR demo. My computer is able to run it smoothly at 1024x768 with all settings maxed. The cars look real. Far Cry is another game known for some insane graphics, and yes, my computer can play it with all settings maxed. The AIW 9800 PRO truly doesn't disapoint in the graphics arena.

On to the TV... Obviously you'll want to watch/capture video if you're looking at this card. The tuner works well, and does output quality images and sound, but not as well as the AIW 8500DV. The reason is that the 8500DV uses a digital tuner, whereas the other AIWs (including the 9800) use analog tuners. The digital tuner is far superior in the image quality department WHEN it has a good signal. The reason ATI decided to go back to the analog tuner is that the analog tuner works better with weak signals (and it's cheaper, so the ATI executives probably get a slighty larger christmas bonus). I can't really complain though. Quite honestly, I can't tell much of a difference between the 9800 and the 8500DV other than the 9800 runs games much better.

The TV itself can be set to windowed mode, full-screen, desktop mode, or to an ultra cool translucent mode. The translucent mode allows you to work and watch TV at the same
time. It's what I use ninety percent of the time.


Capturing is also awesome on this card. ATI has some built in filters they call "Video Soap" to help clean up the video's as they're captured, and they work well. However, I prefer to filter after the video has been captured so that I don't accidently make the video too blury.

Another feature of this card, though undocumented, is the ablity to run dual-monitors with a DVI/VGA splitter. This ONLY works if you have one DVI capable LCD and one VGA capable monitor. It is NOT possible to run to VGA monitors or two DVI LCD's. It is possible to run one monitor of either type and a TV though. I don't know if you can do all three at once (I haven't tried). Dual monitors ROCK and they greatly increase your productivity. If you haven't used them before, I highly sugest you try it out; you'll never go back.

One last feature of this card is the ability to decode DivX video on the fly, which dramatically reduces processor load when playing back DivX encoded video.

All in all, I LOVE this card. It games great, and then does a ton more stuff. If you have the means to buy this card, I highly sugest you do. You won't regret it.

(BTW, ATI's RMA service works too. I found out the hard way... My first card was DOA (not that great of a surprise since it was a refurb from Newegg.com. IT WAS NOT IN ANY WAY ATI'S FAULT) and they replaced it free of charge. Thanks ATI)