Is the BFG - GeForce 8600 GT OC Graphics Card worth $130

[wpjssp]

I am not very good with video card stuff and whenever I try searching to compare I can never find this exact card model number BFGR86512GTOCFE. On the best value list hierarchy and such I am not sure if what looks similar (8600 GT, 8600 GTX) are close to evaluate for value or if they arent. So I was just wondering if the BFG - GeForce 8600 GT OC Graphics Card is worth $130 on sale at best buy or is there a compareable price-wise better card. Thanks in advance.

 

[iancarnage]

It really depends what you use your computer for.

 

[Evilonigiri]

No, don't get the 8600GT or GTS. It is not worth it, unless it's under $100.

For a little more money, you can get a HD3850 256Mb for around $159, if you shop around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241066

The HD3850 is much, much better than the 8600GT.

 

[wpjssp]

I use the computer for watching movies/trailers, development for programs and games(Computer Science/Game Development Major), Playing some games and other than that just surfing the internet/typing.

Correct me if im wrong but isnt 512mb better than 256mb, im just curious because thats usually the best I could tell if one was better than the other. Thanks for replying.

 

[Evilonigiri]

I use the computer for watching movies/trailers, development for programs and games(Computer Science/Game Development Major), Playing some games and other than that just surfing the internet/typing.

Correct me if im wrong but isnt 512mb better than 256mb, im just curious because thats usually the best I could tell if one was better than the other. Thanks for replying.

512MB is better than 256MB, but sometimes it isn't worth it. Simply put, if the video card is very weak, it won't take advantage of 512MB.

Video ram also depends on the resolution you use. Any res 1280 x 1024 or lower, 256MB should be sufficient for most game...right now that is. 512MB is the sweet spot for powerful video cards such as the 8800GT. A 1GB 8800GT has no improvement what so ever, shown here: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ0NiwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

This simply means that the 8800GT isn't powerful enough to take advantage of the extra 1GB.

What is your res? What games do you play? These play an important part in getting the right video card. Also, listing your system specs will help.

 

[wpjssp]

I have a core 2 duo i forget the factory speed but its overclocked at 3.1 ghz, 2gb of ocz high performance ram, 2 maxtor 500gb sata's on a raid array, and a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3/S3 mb Oh and a Samsung Syncmaster 220wm 22inch and some Cheap 17 inch monitors.

I run at the highest res available on my card not sure at the moment, I play mostly The Total War series on the computer other than that I play on a console, but I do want Medieval 2 Total War to run with a decent setting and still be smooth.

 

[Evilonigiri]

I have a core 2 duo i forget the factory speed but its overclocked at 3.1 ghz, 2gb of ocz high performance ram, 2 maxtor 500gb sata's on a raid array, and a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3/S3 mb Oh and a Samsung Syncmaster 220wm 22inch and some Cheap 17 inch monitors.

I run at the highest res available on my card not sure at the moment, I play mostly The Total War series on the computer other than that I play on a console, but I do want Medieval 2 Total War to run with a decent setting and still be smooth.

The maximum resolution is determined by your monitor in most cases. You haven't listed your PSU, nonetheless, if the resolution is greater than 1280 x 1024, which you can check by doing right click>properties>settings, I recommend the HD3850 512MB. If it's 1280 x 1024 or less, the 256MB variant will be fine. These video cards can be had for less than $190 and $160, respectively.

What is your budget?

 

[wpjssp]

sorry, My PSU is a Truepower Trio 650 watts.
My resolution is 1680 by 1050, My current card is a NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT.

My budget is as little as possible hopefully under $150.
I can wait to upgrade but the main reasons behind doing so are that watching online/downloaded trailers or videos the video freezes and while playing Total War the setting are much lower than I would like and it sometimes skips.

 

[Evilonigiri]

sorry, My PSU is a Truepower Trio 650 watts.
My resolution is 1680 by 1050, My current card is a NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT.

My budget is as little as possible hopefully under $150.
I can wait to upgrade but the main reasons behind doing so are that watching online/downloaded trailers or videos the video freezes and while playing Total War the setting are much lower than I would like and it sometimes skips.

650W is more than enough to power the HD3850 256MB. Scout around, you probably could find one for under $150.

If it's still too costly, another option is the 8600GT or perhaps the 2600XT. These video cards are decent if you can get them for less than $100, no more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

The 8600GT should get you 3x more performance, while the HD3850 should get you almost 2x the performance of the 8600GT.

 

[zenmaster]

Unless you are getting a High-End card, 512mb is not better than 256mb. The weaker cards just can't run the resolutions that need the extra memory.

Also, be very wary to not get any card with DDR2.

Frequently you see cards with 512mb of DDR2 which will be much slower than cards with 256mb of DDR3.

The 512mb of DDR2 is simply a marketing gimmick.
Folks see the bigger amount of low quality memory and think its a good deal when its not.

 

[wpjssp]

Thanks for all the info.

One last question. The original card that I posted looks like it is better than the 8600GT but it is just the same card overclocked? So then it is not worth it to get this instead of the normal 8600GT. Or if I'm willing to spend the 130 I might as well spend 160 for the HD3850.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8526446&type=product&id=1186007527902

 

[Evilonigiri]

Thanks for all the info.

One last question. The original card that I posted looks like it is better than the 8600GT but it is just the same card overclocked? So then it is not worth it to get this instead of the normal 8600GT. Or if I'm willing to spend the 130 I might as well spend 160 for the HD3850.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8526446&type=product&id=1186007527902

Yes, BFG likes to OC slightly to every single card. OCing is fairly easy to do, so you can do it yourself.

 

[wpjssp]

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Shadow703793]

No, don't get the 8600GT or GTS. It is not worth it, unless it's under $100.

For a little more money, you can get a HD3850 256Mb for around $159, if you shop around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241066

The HD3850 is much, much better than the 8600GT.

Agreed

 

[spoonboy]

I am not very good with video card stuff and whenever I try searching to compare I can never find this exact card model number BFGR86512GTOCFE. On the best value list hierarchy and such I am not sure if what looks similar (8600 GT, 8600 GTX) are close to evaluate for value or if they arent. So I was just wondering if the BFG - GeForce 8600 GT OC Graphics Card is worth $130 on sale at best buy or is there a compareable price-wise better card. Thanks in advance.

No it isnt. Get a 3850.