9600 GT vs 8800 GT

[unfaithfulsfan]

In a way I already know the answer to this because I'm practically blind from researching the two BUT! I'd like some honest real-world opinions. I'm not a hard-core gamer all the time. I kinda go through cycles. Currently my libary consists of Deux Ex, Far Cry, Half Life (1!), Unreal (Anthology) and Test Drive 6, if that gives you any idea. I do also work with some web graphics on the side. So the integrated graphics on my two-year-old rig have done me well. I'm starting to get the itch again, however.

Given my budget and my tendencies towards going though several years of not gaming at all, I'm leaning towards the 9600 GT but since the 8800 GT has dropped so much in price I wonder if it would be worth the extra $30-40 to get the 8800. Also, I'm looking for a card to last me for probably at least 2-3 years. Since I'm not a game "freak" I don't know that a 5 or 10 fps increase would make that much difference to me but I would like to play in higher res than 800x600

Thanks in advance for your honest opinions. I promise I won't be insulted

[unfaithfulsfan]

Oh, meant to mention also the games I'm looking to play are CoD series, NFS Pro Street, possibly Crysis or BioShock once I get the new CPU in a couple of weeks, Thanks again!

[Zertz]

Since you don't game much, you should just get the one that fits your budget! Those 2 cards will be more than enough to run your games, I'm not up to date with prices, but if ATI's 3850 or 3870 are priced well, you should consider them!

[hercules71185]

With the price drop spending 30 bucks now is worth it. Cause 2 weeks from now you will not notice a 20 dollar deficit. And you might just want that extra kick one day.

[unfaithfulsfan]

Thanks, guys! I'd considered the ATI cards as we use them quite often at work on gaming systems but in researching both, the nVidia cards seem to do better overall. But you can find an equal number of reviews in support of either brand in this price range. Kinda frustrating. Now that the 8800 GT is ~$200 it's had me waffling terribly. I love AMD but have always used nVidia graphics cards. ai yi yi......

[stopthekilling77]

i know that your hard-earned money is going to be sacrificed, but no matter which card you go for, be it a ATI 3870 or a nVidia 8800GT 512, you're going to get WAY more performance out of your system

take a deep breath and you'll find your zen to make the decision ;)

(nvidia ftw but thats just me lol )

[unfaithfulsfan]

Some people say I'm indecisive. I don't know, can't decide if I am or not....

Anyway, after much wailing, moaning and gnashing of teeth, I've decided on the EVGA 8800 GT 512, at least now that I'm going to bed! Who knows how I'll feel in the a.m. !! Just figure can't go wrong for $175 after MIR. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130318

Thanks for the advice and have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jack

[Zertz]

Some people say I'm indecisive. I don't know, can't decide if I am or not....

Anyway, after much wailing, moaning and gnashing of teeth, I've decided on the EVGA 8800 GT 512, at least now that I'm going to bed! Who knows how I'll feel in the a.m. !! Just figure can't go wrong for $175 after MIR. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130318

Thanks for the advice and have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jack

Great choice!

[hercules71185]

If I remember correctly, then you have vista. Nvidia drivers are known to cause conflicts and causes vista to crashe.

[DMB2000uk]

If I remember correctly, then you have vista. Nvidia drivers are known to cause conflicts and causes vista to crashe.

I'd still reccomend the 8800GT purely on performance terms, drivers will get better but there is only so much performance ATI can squeeze out with driver updates alone.

Dan

[hercules71185]

I agree too. But, I figured I'd point that out too.

[ibleet]

If I remember correctly, then you have vista. Nvidia drivers are known to cause conflicts and causes vista to crashe.

Ok, so Vista has been out for how long now?...and they still don't have good drivers for one of the top video card makers on the planet?

ENUF SAID!

But anyway, back on topic...good choice on the GPU!

[unfaithfulsfan]

Just for the sake of clearing up one question, I'm running XP Home so drivers won't be an issue. I'm avoiding Vista for a couple more service packs or until there's just no other choice in MS OS's. However, my initial quandary is pretty much a moot point for a few more weeks. got up this morning and the fuel pump went out on my Blazer. So my proposed graphics card, CPU, and PSU upgrades departed with the fuel pump to the tune of about $500. (That includes the 1/2 tank of $3.40/gallon gas that will probably be lost when they drop the tank.) #@?!@%!

[DMB2000uk]

Man, that blows.

It wouldn't be nearly as bad if you weren't currently stuck on integrated graphics, but you are. And they suck to game on. (Sorry if that is rubbing salt in the wound)

Dan

[unfaithfulsfan]

Hey Dan, no offense taken at all. But while I was wallowing in my misery and thought I couldn't feel any worse, I decided WTH I'll try to make myself feel worse. On a whim, I ran 3DMark 06. All I can say is hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! A whopping 109! I guess at least it wasn't a negative number although that's pretty darn close!

[skierkid450]

109 i figured numbers that low wouldnt even run 3dmark

[ibleet]

109 i figured numbers that low wouldnt even run 3dmark

Ya, I can hear 3DMark right now....What The Hell?

Now back on topic. Sorry to hear of your bad timing and I hope you get back on track soon.

[bubba]

Few years back at the LAN I first met Nate the LR crew had a contest to give away a vid card. The contest was to run 3Dmark ('05 at the time) and the person with the lowest score wins. The guy that won got a 58, and I thought I had a bad score at 200 LOL.

[unfaithfulsfan]

And the verdict is in (drum roll please) 1 Fuel Pump = $663.32. If I don't laugh, I'll be in therapy for at least a year........

59 on 3DMark. That, in some perverse way, makes me feel a little better. I suppose it really could be worse! At least my 'puter still works!

Have a good one!

[ibleet]

A 58 in 3DMark05 would be even lower in 06.