When it comes to video cards, manufacturers always have three classes; high-end, mid-range and the low-end, which they like to call "budget". High-end cards are the framerate kings, though you pay for that. Budget cards make your accountant (likely the girlfriend or wife) happy, but you'll be screaming at your screen as another sudden framerate dip just got you fragged. As a mid-range graphic card, the Radeon 9600 Pro finds a nice balance between performance and pricing. Given this fact, it should come as no surprise that it's these types of cards that make up the majority of sales.

FIC A96P Radeon 9600 Pro @viperlair.com

"Specifications-wise, the card is a bit of strange beast. A small table should provide the pertinent details. The 0.13-micron process allows ATi to ramp up the VPU speed to 400MHz without breaking a sweat, yet only specifying 4 rendering pipelines, much like the original 9500, gives it a fillrate deficit when compared to the 9500 Pro. The 128-bit memory interface has been solely designed for this card, hence it's been 'tweaked' to deliver that bit of extra oomph. Further, extra bandwidth aided by an improved Z-compression ratio should help even up the score. A midrange card with impressive specifications."

Tyan Tachyon G9600 Pro 128MB @hexus.net

Have you seen any reviews of the 9600XT?
I thought I saw one, but haven't been able to find it

9600Xt's are supposed to have the Half-Life2 game, or a "coupon" in it too, or is that just the 9800XT?

That might justify the extra cost of the "XT" if the game is over $50 when it finally comes out

I believe it is for both of the XT's to have the coupon.

LOL, found a 9600XT review when I woke up this morning, they must have read my mind..

Seems the 9600XT will be 199$(ouch) and will include H-L2 or a coupon. the majot difference is a 500MHZ core Vs the 400MHZ core on a regular 9600Pro

9600XT review