which will see better performance?

heyheyheyo

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2008
36
0
18,530
Hey I'm trying to make a new build, to over-clock, before the end of the month. That being said, I have an issue with choosing a video card. I'm very sure I want to go with either a 9600gt or an 8800gt. The 9600gt I can get for $144.99 and the 8800gt I can get for $174.99. (US $) the cards are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127333

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Which one would perform better? The 9600gt has higher clocks, but I know that isn't everything. It lacks more stream processors. Also, I could over-clock the 8800gt to higher clocks. So my question is which should I get for better performance? (I plan on playing Bioshock, Portal, HL 2 ep2, Crysis, C&c 3, and Spore to name a few)


There is a similar topic here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249621-33-overclocked-graphic-cards#bas

thanks guys (if you respond)
 

boonality

Distinguished
Mar 8, 2008
1,183
0
19,310
What resolution do you play at? The 9600GT will peform similar to the 8800GT at lower resolutions while the 9600GT will be brought to its knees at higher resolutions and the 8800GT will still truck along fine.
 

dagger

Splendid
Mar 23, 2008
5,624
0
25,780



That's only because at lower resolutions the gpu isn't being taxed enough for the difference to show. Will you notice faster cpu speeds by browsing web pages? :p

8800gt, based on the g92 gpu, perform significantly better than the 9600gt, based on the g94 gpu, the scaled down counterpart to g92. Also, lower clock rate is better, it makes the card more overclockable.
 

I could notice the CPU speed when doing this! :kaola: Try opening up 15+ Tabs on FireFox and see. (I usually have about 6+ tabs open, but I do run in to cases in which I open up 15+tabs) ;)
 

dagger

Splendid
Mar 23, 2008
5,624
0
25,780



That resolution is not really high, but with newer games at higher detail levels, high enough to make a big difference.
 

mtyermom

Distinguished
Jun 1, 2007
956
0
18,980


I, too, am a heavy 'tabber'. quad core ftw
 

heyheyheyo

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2008
36
0
18,530
I am also a relatively heavy tabber....thats why my P4 3.4ghz pisses me off when I start to see lag with 3-5tabs open, AIM and Itunes....