See http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2970&p=5 . In DX9, the 7900GS has a lot more potential, especially at higher resolutions. However, it cannot run DX10, so in a couple years, there will be games you can't run. (keep in mind that most future games will include both a DX10 and DX9 mode, so that's not a terrible problem. Also, the 8600GT certainly doesn't have the horsepower to maintain a good framerate in future games' dx10 mode). So I'd certainly take the 7900GS.
I would recommend the 8600gt if you plan to do things like watching/encoding high definition movies. Otherwise it is quite the toss up. One consideration is that the newer cards (8600gt and 2600xt) are getting better with newer drivers so they may still yet edge out the older cards (though they might also be as good as they will get).
Thanks for the quick reply and the link. It seems like the 8600GT is far below the performance of the 7900GS, so think I will be taking your advice and shelling out for the 7900GS
Yes the 8500 and 8600 are the first cards able to offload most of the decoding of advanced video codecs, VC1, H.264, etc., ensuring smooth playback.
Purevideo exists for the geForce 7, but it won't be nearly as efficient for HD video.
For Oblivion you might to check if you can't find an X1950Pro for about the same price as the 7900GS, it's a quite stronger card for that game, and priced similarly, at least in North America.
Message edited by Dr_asik on 08-30-2007 at 07:29:50 PM
Dr_Asik, reading through that link that you left, it seems that both have their advantages. It seems on Battlefield 2, the 7900GS has it, but then on Oblivion the 8600GT is better ..... so, am still very undecided
If getting the 7900GS, check the specs regarding HD if that is important to you. The nVidia specs for the basic configuration does not include HD. For instance I have a BFG 7900GS card that I really like but it does not have HD. However I understand that some manufacturers added an extra chip to add that capability - and naturally they probably cost a little more.
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