Anything to look at between a 8600GT & 8800GT?

y2kgtp

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2008
189
1
18,690
On a budget, I don't game that much, but want to be able to play Bio-Shock, and some of the Need for Speed series games....

I'm thinking of getting a AMD 5600+ or 6000+ setup, and wanted a decent video card. I want a 8800GT card, from all the reviews I read.....but it really blows my budget.

8800GT card comes with 100$ more price tag over the 8600GT, and likely requires a much larger PS.




 

y2kgtp

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2008
189
1
18,690
I have a 19" 1280x1024 max, but having a pixel problem so it may get replaced with some sort of widescreen model....20" perhaps?
 
On the 8600GT make sure you're pricing the one with DDR3 memory, the DDR2 ones run much slower. With the ATI4850 due out in 2 weeks i think the graphic card sector is going to be shaken up a bit. I just don't know which way it'll be shaken though............ probably worth the time to wait a couple weeks and see how things are settling out pricewise.
 

gregbob

Distinguished
Jun 2, 2008
25
0
18,530
the xfx is better than the asus one because it doesn't come with a preinstalled aftermarket cooler which i wouldn't want asus to put on for me.
the xfx has free cod4 and has instant savings not mail and rebate.

the only thing that is better in the asus is the 512 mb, better than the 256mb on the xfx.

the asus isn't worth all the cons that come with it
 

y2kgtp

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2008
189
1
18,690
my only other quick concern is compatibility with Via Chipsets.....is this something I need worry about with a PCI 2.0 card? I read a negative review on newegg, so now worried on MB selection.....
 

L1qu1d

Splendid
Sep 29, 2007
4,615
0
22,790
the 8600 GT is just garbage even for current gen games. I have it for like a day, and returned it for a 9600 GT.

In Unreal 3 I got around 30 frames with it while with the 9600 GT I get 70+ both resolutions at 1280x1024.

And not that it really matters but the 8600 GT, when I ran 3dmark06, it looked like it was stressing out. It didn't even manage to get 30 fps in mos tparts.

While the 9600 GT maintained a 40+ for the most.

Either way, I wouldn't recommend the 8600 GT, very overpriced compared to cards, such as th 8800 GS (ALOT better) which could be found for about 100$.

if I could recommend a midrange card, I would recommend a 9600 GT, since if you choose to replace it in a couple of months your wallet won't hurt that much and it can take the higher resolution fine.

My secondary computer has a 9600 GT in it, and a cheap 1 gig stick ram (533 mhz)

and a 5000+ BE and I can play unreal 3 at 1080p, Hl2, COD4

Etc.

PS

power consumption isn't as high as you'd think with the G92 and G94 cards:) and your mobo should be fine, the 9600 GT is runnning on a old Asus Mobo, nforce 570
 

FrozenGpu

Distinguished
Dec 8, 2007
986
0
18,990
umm 8800gs and the 9600gso are the same card, the 9600gt isn't much faster than the 8800gs in the long run u are better off going with the 8800gs/9600gso b/c as time goes on the amount of shader processors is what is going to allow ur card to have better longevity...

very simply saying one of the single most important aspects of the gpu is the amount of shader processors/ stream processors,

9600gt has only 64 where as the 9600gso/8800gs has 96.

go with the latter b/c the performance is on par with the 9600gt and it will last you longer.

I am not trying to say that TMU's, ROP's, memory type, frequency, and bandwidth aren't important among other specifications, but am trying to tell you that if you want the best bang for your buck ignore the 9600gt and just grab a good 9600gso or the 8800gs, especially if you play on lower resolutions, like anything lower than 1280x1024. even a little higher will still be more than acceptable.
 

marvelous211

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2006
1,153
0
19,280


I had a 8600gts. While not the speediest card it played Unreal Tournament fine @ 1280x1024 no AA just fine. Averaging more than 60fps. A 8600gt will give you at least 50fps average.

Call of Duty 4 played fine too. Averaging 50fps. Of course no AA.

Games like bioshock was very slow on the 8600gts. Max quality of 25-30fps average which is playable but jerky.

To OP: I suggest a 8800gs for modern gaming. Not much more than 8600gts but 2x the performance sometimes more.

Newegg Call of duty special is officially over. You are better off getting the EVGA card with a variable fan and faster memory now for same price as the XFX one after rebate. I got my rebate in 6 weeks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332
 

marvelous211

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2006
1,153
0
19,280


This is probably the worst advice you can give to someone.
 

marvelous211

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2006
1,153
0
19,280


Exactly. The performance difference is insignificant in current crop of games. 10% lose here and 5% win there. In the long haul 8800gs is at a dominant position with 96SP and more GFLOPs per $$$.
 

y2kgtp

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2008
189
1
18,690
I am thinking I should just bite the bullet, and get a 8800GT 512 card. Everyone seems to like this card, it performs well.....and a savings of 30-40$ now on a cheaper card will just make me upgrade sooner I am guessing.....

Any truth to video compatibility issues with Via chipsets? I am doing a build from this shop link: http://www.computerlx.com/config.aspx?t=&product_ID=734

I have this configured for 358$ shipped:

# AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 6000+* (3GHz) AM2 SYS
# AMD SOCKET AM2 STANDARD COOLING FAN
# Asus M2V-MX SE Socket AM2/ VIA K8M890/ DDR2/ PCIE/ A&V&L/ MATX Motherboard
# SUPER TALENT 2GB DDR-2 800MHZ PC-6400 (2X 1GB)
# Western Digital WD1600JS 160GB SATA2 7200rpm 8MB Hard Drive (DAILY SPECIAL)
# ONBOARD DELTA CHROME 256MB VIDEO
# 6-CHANNEL DIGITAL SOUND ONBOARD
# 10/100 ETHERNET ONBOARD
# BCC VOYAGER MID-TOWER ATX
# OKIA A-POWER 600 WATT ATX POWER SUPPLY
# FED-EX GROUND SHIPPING "INCLUDED $25" (1-7 BUSINESS DAYS)

I'm sure to get some crap about the PS, but they offer a 3 year warranty on stuff they build...so hopefully it should do fine.

 

gregbob

Distinguished
Jun 2, 2008
25
0
18,530
marvelous2 11 he said he wanted budget and all he wanted to play was bioshock. at that reolution 1280x1024 the card i gave the link to will be a good budget card that can play bioshock. it will also be able to play it if he upgrades the monitor and ups the resoulution. true it wont run as fast when he upgrades the monitor but it will be fine and it wont be breaking the budget
 

y2kgtp

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2008
189
1
18,690


Yes building new....I would prefer the Intel 3.0Ghz dual core, but it runs about 100$ more for the system build.

Yes, I know it can be overclocked, but I got a low budget right now, trying to replace my current unstable P4 2.8 setup.

And now my monitor is dying a harsh, pixelating death....check this out. It used to be retained to the taskbar, now it is 'growing' up into the screen area.....I will never buy a I-INC monitor again....

s6302880smallnq2.jpg