Geforce 8600GTS: too good to be true?

[Dougx1317]

Currently, my budget is $50, but you're saying that I can get literally ten times the performance from a $80-$100 card? IF I were able to expand the budget a little, what card would you recommend? (I could get 2 8600GTS's, but somehow I don't think anyone here will recommend that.) I've had only good experiences with ebay, even with computer parts, so I wouldn't be against it.

What is the difference between the 9600GSO and 9600GT? Just the memory bandwidth?

Is the 9800GT a lot better than the 8800GT? I see very little difference in specs or price.

 

[spathotan]

Between the two get the 9800GT. Considering the price difference which is very, very minimal, there is no reason to get the 8 over the 9.

And yes, the difference between the 8600 and a 8800/9800 is preety damn large.

 

[customisbetter]

around 32 old shaders versus 112 new and faster shaders. the 8800gt all the way.

 

[shoota]

9600 gso: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121251 $65

weekend deal only $70 free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130362

i know these are more than $50 but for just a little more you can do so much better. and if you're on such a tight budget drop the 4 gigs of ram down to two. few ppl actually need 4 gb's. that'll get you a much better overall system.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Well you said it. Your better off getting 2g ram now and a good card, because 2 more G of ram later is only $30ish.

Or you could be dumb, and get 4g of ram and a crappy card that will be hard to get your money back out of, then end up buying another card for $80+ later after you realize you were stupid and stubborn, and your choice screwed you.

 

[spathotan]

If hes got a budget then hes got a budget, its not your money roadrunner and it probably isnt his since its his brothers system. If everything was as easy as you make it out to be then we wouldnt need your divine advice.

Back on topic and to things that actually matter, if you want to deal with MIR then the GSO shoota linked is a great deal.

 

[roadrunner197069]

If hes got a budget then hes got a budget, its not your money roadrunner and it probably isnt his since its his brothers system. If everything was as easy as you make it out to be then we wouldnt need your divine advice.

Back on topic and to things that actually matter, if you want to deal with MIR then the GSO shoota linked is a great deal.

Its stupid people like you with no commom sense, that makes these forums necesary. 2g of ram is plenty for todays average system. I could care less what he buys. I just think it is idiotic for noobs to ask for advice, when obviously, they got their minds made up.


He said he dont want to buy a $95 card, so what makes you think he wants that GSO. If its not in his budget, its not in his budget. Rebates take 4-6 weeks, if you get it at all. Next time use a little common sense.

 

[megamanx00]

Well then in that case you mighnt as well go with the 8600GTS. I don't think you'll get a better deal for that price. You could always try and bid on someones used card, at your own risk of course.

 

[tenaciousleydead]

If its necessary to have the forums, people makes mistakes, and you understand that. Why would you be stupid enough to be upset. BTW im getting sick of that catch phrase, so stfu

 

[coolvoodoo]

I just took an MSI 8600GTS OC out of my system yesterday. It has been a great video card for the money. I've been able to play HL2, Crysis, Bioshock, Stalker, Prey, Oblivion, etc. at 1440x900 or 1680x1050 (with some of the eye candy turned down), and get playable frame rates. It's not the fastest thing around, but for $50 it's a good card.

 

[invisik]

if you can stretch ur budget a little here is what i would recommend.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141076
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130361
look online and see if you can find openbox cards. could save u some $$$
if not get the cheapest 8600 u can find.
good luck.

 

[dagger]

I'm having a hard time finding anything about the 4550 online. Does anybody know the specs of this card? Newegg has one without much of specs, ebay's got none of them, and there aren't reviews of them anywhere.

Dokk2 brought up that I should have 512mb. Does that make a large difference over on the 8600 cards, the 9600gso, or the 4550? I thought that 512+ of vram was only for enthusiast cards.

4550 is a bad idea. Performing below 8600gt, for around the same price.
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/hd4550/9.html

If you're willing to use rebates (takes several weeks for them to pay up), then there's 9600gso.

Factory oced for $55 ar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130361

If not, 8600gts.

256mb is enough for casual gaming. For serious gaming, you'll need more.

 

[roofus]

I bought an 8600 back in January with very low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised! It was capable of CoD4, UT3, and of course the older games I still enjoy. It has since been boxed back up but they are decent budget cards. Don't expect the visual quality of a 8800 or a 3870 out of it though. It's playable but it isn't always pretty.

 

[dagger]

I bought an 8600 back in January with very low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised! It was capable of CoD4, UT3, and of course the older games I still enjoy. It has since been boxed back up but they are decent budget cards. Don't expect the visual quality of a 8800 or a 3870 out of it though. It's playable but it isn't always pretty.

It's okay for older games, but CoD4 is questionable. See fps chart.

 

[frozenlead]

I think something's amiss in that chart. My AGP 2600XT can hit 40fps nicely. It's on medium/high, but the jump in cards is much greater than that of the jump in graphics settings.

Anyway, I'm all for dumping 2GB of ram for a better GPU. It's a great idea.

 

[roadrunner197069]

I think something's amiss in that chart. My AGP 2600XT can hit 40fps nicely. It's on medium/high, but the jump in cards is much greater than that of the jump in graphics settings.

Anyway, I'm all for dumping 2GB of ram for a better GPU. It's a great idea.

WOW. Finally someone with some sense. Great minds do think alike!

 

[dagger]

I think something's amiss in that chart. My AGP 2600XT can hit 40fps nicely. It's on medium/high, but the jump in cards is much greater than that of the jump in graphics settings.

Anyway, I'm all for dumping 2GB of ram for a better GPU. It's a great idea.

The chart is from guru3d. They used high settings and 4x AA. You're probably running on lower settings and no AA, that's why.

 

[terror112]

I vote for 4670 and only 2gb of ram.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Oh and if you do get the 8600, you better make darn sure it is HDCP ready or he wont be watching his HD movies. The ones I see on Newegg that state HDCP ready are as much as the other cards that have been mentioned.

 

[spathotan]

Its HDCP, but its optional. Just like memory sizes it had to be provided by the OEM. Like I already said, its hard enough finding a 8600GTS brand new, and even then who knows if it has the HDCP EEPROM.

 

[frozenlead]

As stated, I run high/med settings. I use 4x AA to compensate for my low monitor res.

 

[spathotan]

I have to agree with frozenlead here. I used a 2600XT in a microATX machine I used on a 690G board with a 4200+ X2 Brisbane. It gave me good enough FPS in Lord of the Rings Online, I think about 50-65 with high settings, that was on a 19" widescreen @ 1400 x 900. But there is no denying its outdated and overall junk. But if what you have works with what you play then there is no reason to swap.

 

[dagger]

As stated, I run high/med settings. I use 4x AA to compensate for my low monitor res.

Med is lower than high, isn't it? Try highest settings, and you'll get similar results. Guru3d is a reputable site.

 

[frozenlead]

I know its a reputable site, but think about it.

A 2600 to a 3870/4670 is a hell of a jump. Do you really think that setting a few things to high as opposed to medium is supposed to make that much of a difference on the hardware? It just isn't logical.

 

[dagger]

I know its a reputable site, but think about it.

A 2600 to a 3870/4670 is a hell of a jump. Do you really think that setting a few things to high as opposed to medium is supposed to make that much of a difference on the hardware? It just isn't logical.

For CoD4? Very logical. The engine is scalable, besides, highest settings come with 16x AF.