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7600GT versus 2600XT

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - 7600GT versus 2600XT

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First off, I want to say thanks for anybody that can help me out. I've been a long time reader of the forums here, but this marks my first attempt to interact with the community.

So, I recently purchased a new computer, and the default card it came with an 8300GS. Unfortunately, games and the 8300GS don't mix well. I'm looking to get a new card for around $100. I'm definitely a budget gamer, and always have been. For example, I beat Far Cry on a Radeon 9200SE 128MB, which was a gimped version of the 9200, which was a low end card to begin with. Then I really moved up in the world with a GeForce 6200 OC, lol.

But now, I have this new computer with a quad-core Q6600, 2 gigs of RAM, and this awful 8300GS. Like the thread title suggests, what do you think would be better for me to get between the 7600GT and the 2600XT? But before you answer that, let me tell you a little more about what I plan to do with the new card.

I basically want a card that can run F.E.A.R., Team Fortress 2, Unreal Tournament 3, and hopefully Crysis at 1024x768 at low-medium settings. I play other games like Counter Strike Source and Unreal Tournament 2004, but I'm confident that either card will play these older games no problem. I'm kind of indefferent about DX9 versus DX10 right now, though a lot of the games I'm looking forward to will have DX10 capabilities.

From a little bit of research, a 7600GT can be had for ~$80, and the 2600XT for ~$100. Here are some cards I was looking at:

Sapphire HD 2600XT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102700

Evga 7600GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130062

I certainly don't expect wonders from either card, I just have to believe they are light years ahead of what I have now. From what I understand, the 8300GS is basically just enough to run the Vista Aero interface. Again, I appreciate any thoughts/suggestions you may have.

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From a forward looking stand point i would have to recommend the 2600XT of the two you have listed the latest driver updates have made it a better card than the 7600gt and its DX10 as you know.
I know you are on a budget but it seems a shame really that system is screaming for at least a 8800gts but i know these compromises have to be made
The other thing to consider is one of the 1950 or 7950 cards in DX9 they will give you more performance but no DX10. I don't really know how much more improvement can be gotten from the 2600Xt with driver updates but it seems to me that for you that is the way to go.
Mactronix

Reply to mactronix

Of those two I guess the 2600xt. For less than $150 you could get this, which would dominate either of those. In my opinion it's worth it, but a budget is a budget
X1950PRO

Reply to homerdog

For $120.00 you could get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150229

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
Reply to kpo6969

2600xt if no more room for budget. Or if you can swing the extra $ for a x1950 pro or maybe even this for $99 shipped!
SAPPHIRE 100189 Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102705

Found this for $128 shipped, but is OPEN BOX, so be advised. Was like $137 shipped new, but not available now
Open Box: SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 814102061R

$121 shipped for x1950gt OPEN BOX (just trying to get as close to $100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102034

Message edited by lunyone on 09-21-2007 at 12:09:15 AM

Reply to lunyone

Thanks everyone for the input.

kpo6969 wrote :

For $120.00 you could get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150229

Very true, but my rationale was that if I want to spend over $100, I would probably go with a 7900GS. I think those run from $120-$150, and they typically do better than the 8600GT. Actually, I was really looking into a 7900GS to start, as they do quite a bit better than the 2600XT or the 7600GT. Unfortunately, Newegg was out of the BFG version that I wanted due to brand loyalty. It actually seems like Newegg is out of stock on a lot of 7900GS models. Right now, they have 1 from XFX for $150 after rebates.

Another thing that I forgot to mention earlier, I'm looking for a card that is somewhat power efficient and runs relatively cool, but power consumption is the bigger concern. My computer came with a 375 watt power supply (yeah, I bought a Dell), and so that comes into play, though I found it interesting that Dell was willing to put a GeForce 8800GTX in (for some rediculous premium of course) on such a small PS. Maybe their power supplies are decent?

I'm under the impression that the 2600XT is pretty reasonable when it comes to power, same with the 7600GT simply because it's older I'm guessing. I'm not as familiar with the requirements for the x1900 series of cards.

Message quoted 2 times
Message edited by UTNemesis on 09-21-2007 at 12:48:00 AM

Reply to UTNemesis

Apparently Dell do make a decent psu and yes the X2600XT is good on power and wont need an extra power connecter if you do get one be carefull of what spec it is we were warned last week that the cheaper ones are running slower clocks.
Mactronix

Reply to mactronix

UTNemesis wrote :

Thanks everyone for the input.

Very true, but my rationale was that if I want to spend over $100, I would probably go with a 7900GS. I think those run from $120-$150, and they typically do better than the 8600GT. Actually, I was really looking into a 7900GS to start, as they do quite a bit better than the 2600XT or the 7600GT. Unfortunately, Newegg was out of the BFG version that I wanted due to brand loyalty. It actually seems like Newegg is out of stock on a lot of 7900GS models. Right now, they have 1 from XFX for $150 after rebates.

Another thing that I forgot to mention earlier, I'm looking for a card that is somewhat power efficient and runs relatively cool, but power consumption is the bigger concern. My computer came with a 375 watt power supply (yeah, I bought a Dell), and so that comes into play, though I found it interesting that Dell was willing to put a GeForce 8800GTX in (for some rediculous premium of course) on such a small PS. Maybe their power supplies are decent?

I'm under the impression that the 2600XT is pretty reasonable when it comes to power, same with the 7600GT simply because it's older I'm guessing. I'm not as familiar with the requirements for the x1900 series of cards.

Your psu (Dell 375w has 30amps on the 12v rails, the 305w has 22amps).

UTNemesis wrote :

Very true, but my rationale was that if I want to spend over $100, I would probably go with a 7900GS.

The x1950pro seems to be slightly faster than the 7900gs in more recent (e.g. shader intensive) games. I believe the power draw is comparable to the 7900gs, maybe slightly more, but from what I've read here your PSU should be up to the task.

It's no secret that the midrange options suck right now. I had a 6600 and a 7600 and they were both great, so when the 8600 came out I figured it would be a no brainer. Boy was I wrong. I reluctantly bought a 320MB 8800gts in August; holy $h!t :pt1cable: . I no longer worry about performance in games, I just play. I realize that this card is way more than you want to pay, but if you happen to come across ~$300 I would recommend it hands down. Otherwise the x1950pro should suit you fine for a while, but with a system like yours the GPU is the limit

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to homerdog

No doubt that the 8800GTS 320 is a good card, but yeah, it's a bit out of my price range for now. I'm just going to live with something cheap for a while, and maybe put more significant money towards a better DX10 card when they come out, but who knows when that will happen.

Thanks for the input on cards and information related to the power supply. I've got the cards narrowed to either the 2600XT on the $100 end, or the 7900GS and x1950 for ~$150.

Just a random fun fact:

I'm a college student, and I'm president of the Computer Gaming Association here (a prestigious title indeed ). You could say there is some pressure for me to get a new card so I can keep up with the other members.

Reply to UTNemesis

Keep your eye open for some of the factory OC versions. They run a bit faster then the standard and in some cases are still the same price.
Can't give you link's as I'm in Australia and am not always sure were to look for over seas prices.

------------------------------ First computer Tandy TRS80 (1979)

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity!"
Reply to martyjs

homerdog wrote :

I reluctantly bought a 320MB 8800gts in August; holy $h!t :pt1cable: . I no longer worry about performance in games, I just play.

QFT

Reply to Ananan

I know this thread has been dead for a year but none of the GPU's are being sold by mnewegg any longer. I have just picked up this same dell 9200 Q6600 system with a 128/8300 Vid card for 200$ and was wondering what the current recommendation would be in the 150$ price range.
I am considering going OC.
any help would be appreciated

Reply to elkski

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