PCI connectors and the 8600

[mustangman311]

I finally scrounged up some cash, and I'm planning on buying an XFX 8600GTS from Newegg.
Thing is, it requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector, and I've only got one 4-pin right now. Would it be possible for me to use the 4-pin I have, the two fan connector to 4-pin converter that comes with it, and just plug them in, with two of the pins un-used? Or would I need, or just be better to get a newer, stronger power supply? Right now I've got a 400w Antec SmartPower. So what do you say?

 

[jwolf24601]

I'd say the 400w power supply is right on the edge for a GTS, the evga came with a 2 4pin molex, to 6 pin pci-e connector, but you say you have only one 4 pin molex free...

I would recommend an 8600gt unless you want to replace your power supply.

 

[mactronix]

Why not go with a HD2600xt similar if not better card without the need for external power .
Mactronix

 

[mustangman311]

I didn't even bother to look at what ATI was offering.
Now I have a different question. Haha.

What would you pick: 512MB of GDDR3 through a 128 bit bus, or 256MB of GDDR4 through a 128 bit bus?

 

[cleeve]

ddr4 latencies aren't that great yet I hear, although I don't know alot about it. But from what I've seen the performance difference isn't that great.

I'd probably go for the DDR3 if it was fast ddr3...

 

[mustangman311]

Apparently the GDDR4 memory clock falls short by 300MHz. I'd get GRAW2 free with the GDDR4 card. Haha!

I think I'll pick this one up.
Thanks for everyone's help. You guys rule.

 

[emp]

I'd go with a new power supply from FSP Group $60 500W unit and X1950XT 256MB from newegg instead... at $170 you can't beat price/performance ratio, especially comparing it to the 8600 and HD2600.

 

[kpo6969]

I finally scrounged up some cash, and I'm planning on buying an XFX 8600GTS from Newegg.
Thing is, it requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector, and I've only got one 4-pin right now. Would it be possible for me to use the 4-pin I have, the two fan connector to 4-pin converter that comes with it, and just plug them in, with two of the pins un-used? Or would I need, or just be better to get a newer, stronger power supply? Right now I've got a 400w Antec SmartPower. So what do you say?

This is what you could use if you wanted to:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201004

The GTS can run if you psu is 22amps. I run a GT and could run the GTS with the connector. My psu is 22amps.

 

[spuddyt]

incidentally, don't expect to max many games on these cards, they aren't the best performers in the world

 

[kpo6969]

incidentally, don't expect to max many games on these cards, they aren't the best performers in the world

So how much better is your 8600GTS? Just curious on what your price/performance ratio is compared to the 8600GT.
The 4200 doesn't bottleneck it I guess.

 

[emp]

Why would you want to buy an 8600GTS worth $160-180 when you could buy an X1950XT worth $170 or a 7950GT worth $180 from newegg?

 

[spuddyt]

because you fell for the marketing? (like me)