Heyas,

First of all, i'd like to know if eVGA is a good brand for video cards ? The 2 last cards i had was an Alabtron (4200TP or something) and a MSI (6600GT). I was currently looking at Asus since i'm getting a M2N32-SLI (i tought it would be logical to go with Asus all the way mobo + video card). But eVGA is less expensive (10 canadian dollars) and i heard good things about them. Then i've read that the 8600GT wasn't a big upgrade from a 7600GT. People seemed to recommend the 8600GTS instead. Since my Samsung Syncmaster 936BF won't handle anything over 1280x1024 (and frankly, i don't give a sh** about higher resolution) i was wondering if the 8600GTS was worth the 70 extra canadian dollars.

Regards,

trep-

The GTS would be better. For the money though and 1280x1024 gaming, I'd see if I could find a X1950pro, if you have a PSU that will supply at least 28a on the 12 volt rail.

Hmm,

Call me fanboy, but i always had nvidia based card and never had problems with them. So i think i'll stay with nvidia this time again

trep-

Recently built a PC with a AMD x2 5600 and a 8600GT that is using a 1280x1024 display and it works great.
First thing i noticed about the 8 series graphics cards is that the video playback is better.
We also have a number of PCs here with different specs and i found the 8600 is be quieter than the older equivelent cards.
So all in all i found the 8600GT a pretty good buy for the money.

8600gts is very close in frame rates to the 1950pro. I used to have 1950pro and now 8600gts. They're about same. 8600gts does better in new games while 1950pro will be faster in older titles.

One thing about 8600gts is that it has much better picture quality compared to 1950pro and have more features like 8x and 16xAA. You can usually apply 8x 16x AA on older games and the frame rate doesn't jump too much unless you use 8xQ/16xQ AA.

If you can afford a 8600gts witch is around 200$ then a 8800gts isn't that far.

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dont get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with nvidia cards, the only reason he suggested the X1950 pro was cause its cheaper and the performance is similar to the 8600GTS and better at some games. So depends on ur gaming needs, and which games u play.

At the low resolution of 1280x1024, the X1950 PRO wouldn't have as much on the 8600 GTS. The X1950 PRO will really shine when the going get's tough, with higher AA & AF

Regardless: at 1280x1024, the 8600 GT will work, but don't bother with AA or AF.

At 1280x1024, the 8600 GTS will probably provide 4xAA and 8xAF comfortably.

That's kindda funny. I've seen AA and AF since the nvidia 4xxx series. Yet every cards i got since the 4xxx release were never able to handle AA and AF. I alway had major FPS drop on both my old 4200Ti and my current 6600GT. I kindda gave up on AA and AF, but if i could enable these features, that could be interesting.

I mainly play WoW and might play some RTS. I'm also a big fan of racing games, but i get these on the 360 instead. I don't play FPS anymore, or maybe a bit of CSS a couple times a year.

I'm currently looking forward into getting the Antec Sonata III to put the new rig in. I've read good reviews regarding the power supply that comes with it, tho, the 12V rail provide only 17A. I think this will be enough to handle either the 8600GT or GTS (if anyone can confirm).

Regards,

trep-

17A is pretty low. The 8600 GT would work comfortably, but the GTS might be pushing it a little.

... and you can forget about the 1950 idea

The X1950 PRO draws a similar load to the 8600 GTS, doesn't it?

Antec power supplies have 2 12volt rails. Look again. It's 34A.

Correct. 8600gts is slightly lower.