Will 8600GT Work?

[cokeboy]

I just got a new system few days ago. It has powerful Q6600 and everything, just the video card is on the low end. Thinking that I want to do dual monitor setup and play Starcraft 2 in the coming future, I ordered 8600GT. But now I am not so sure if it's the right card I should get. Since I ordered it from BestBuy, I have the option to refund it.

I have a 24inch LCD (1920x1200) and I do plan to max out the resolution and details when playing Starcraft 2. Will 8600GT handle it? Should I consider getting 8800GT?

 

[randomizer]

The 8600GT is still on the low end, the 8800GT will be required if you intend to play at 1920x1200. The cards are incomparable, the 8800GT is in a different performance league altogether.

 

[Guest]

Go for the 8800GT.

 

[Evilonigiri]

Never get the 8600 series. They suck. You can get a much better graphics card for the price. If you don't do any intensive gaming, I would recommend the HD3850 512MB. 8800GT 512MB is also excellent, however it's a bit overpriced and scarce.

 

[randomizer]

But for 1920x1200 the HD2850 will choke on new games

 

[metrazol]

If you're not gaming until SC2 is out, might as well wait...

 

[randomizer]

Well if he has the ability to refund and wants to play at 1920x1200 with current games even...

 

[jaguarskx]

For gaming, I generally wouldn't recommend anything less than a 8600GTS for those on a budget especially at 1920 x 1200 even though it is not a FPS game.

 

[lunyone]

8800gt/3870/8800gts (g92) would be the ones to get right now for that high of a resolution. He could go with dual 3850's, but wouldn't necessarially be the cheapest option. All depends on what the mobo can handle.

 

[cokeboy]

Thanks. Great suggestions.

Ideally, I would want to wait until SC2 came out. However, I do need dual monitor setup right now, which is not supported by the low end video card that comes with my new system.

Should I just get a cheap video card that supports dual monitor for now, then wait a bit longer until 8800GT drops its price? 8800GT, the one made by Galaxy, is currently selling at $220 CAD. Will the price go down to around $150 in 9 month time to justisfy my purchasing a cheap video card that supports dual monitor setup for now? Let's assume a cheap video card that supports dual monitor setup costs around $50.

 

[lunyone]

What is your current configuration? Yes you could go with a cheapy, but if you do any kind of gaming, you'd probably be depressed with a $50 GPU. If you can afford a 8800gt now or even a 3870, I'd get that and that should hold you for a while.

Edit: forgot to ask what PSU do you have? I would be afraid of suggesting a GPU that might create problems with the rest of your system, if the PSU couldn't handle the 8800gt or 3870.

 

[cleeve]

Buying for a future game is always a waste of money.
Cards only get cheaper.

If you need something for now tho, I'd get a 3850... and frankly, BLizzard has a rep for making their software easy on the hardware. A 3850 very well might be all Starcraft 2 needs for that res.

 

[Guest]

Buying for a future game is always a waste of money.
Cards only get cheaper.

If you need something for now tho, I'd get a 3850... and frankly, BLizzard has a rep for making their software easy on the hardware. A 3850 very well might be all Starcraft 2 needs for that res.

Maybe for 1 monitor, probably not for 2. If you want to run dual monitors both at 1900x1200 you are going to need a high end card. Even for an upcoming Blizzard title. I would say the 8800GT would be the lowest performance card you would want to buy. That being said, you'll save a ton of cash if you wait until closer to the release date to make this purchase.

 

[crazywheels]

Don't buy stuff from best buy, order all of your computing needs from newegg.com

 

[cleeve]

Maybe for 1 monitor, probably not for 2.

Did he say he was using two 1900x1200 monitors? If he did I missed it.

 

[cokeboy]

Excellent suggestions. Keep them coming

3850 costs around $190, not much cheaper than 8800GT. The new system I got is HP M8120n, which comes with a 350W power supply. I know I need to upgrade my power supply if I throw in 8800GT. With that being said, some of M8120n users suggested that the system could run 8800GT without upgrading the power supply.

I do not have two 1900x1200 monitors as of now, but do plan to get another one when the 24inch LCD price drops.

 

[cleeve]

256MB 3850's are $170 on newegg.

512MB 3850's are $210, the same price as the 256MB 8800 GT. The lack of memory really hurts the 8800 to the point where the 3850 is the better card at higher resolutions, especially with high-detail texture settings enabled...

512MB 8800 GTs are awesome, but those are close to $300...

A 350w wouldn't be sufficient for any of these cards, IMHO, even the power-sipping 3850.

It might run, but that doesn't make it a good idea for your hardware.
Kind of like using Nitrous Oxide in your car...

 

[randomizer]

8800GT, the one made by Galaxy, is currently selling at $220 CAD.

They are $278 AU for the 256mb here

Regarding the PSU, it depends how good that 350W is. Some place ran an 8800GTX on a 380W I think.

 

[cokeboy]

8800GT 512mb made by Galaxy is selling at $230 CAD. Should I wait for the price drop, or should I go ahead and purchase it now?

 

[cleeve]

A 512MB 8800 GT is a great deal at $230 CAD. Snatch it!

 

[randomizer]

The 512mb is $330 here Damn taxes! Damn taxes on taxes! Grab it now!

 

[aznstriker92]

256MB 3850's are $170 on newegg.

512MB 3850's are $210, the same price as the 256MB 8800 GT. The lack of memory really hurts the 8800 to the point where the 3850 is the better card at higher resolutions, especially with high-detail texture settings enabled...

512MB 8800 GTs are awesome, but those are close to $300...

A 350w wouldn't be sufficient for any of these cards, IMHO, even the power-sipping 3850.

It might run, but that doesn't make it a good idea for your hardware.
Kind of like using Nitrous Oxide in your car...

512mb 3850 is 210? where did u get that?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103051
$190 here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150264
8800GT 256 for 199 here.

 

[lunyone]

They are $278 AU for the 256mb here

Regarding the PSU, it depends how good that 350W is. Some place ran an 8800GTX on a 380W I think.

Like this 380w Antec Earthwatts one?
8800gtx & e6600 OC’d on 380w Antec PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

 

[randomizer]

Yes that's the one

 

[lunyone]

Running a efficient PSU with 27A on the 12V rail. Now I'd probably not want to push the PSU that hard, but it's still possible, with a "Quality" PSU.