8600GT(S) or Radeon 1950PRO or...?

[Foxtrot]

Hi

I am buying a new computer and I would like your opinion on which card to choose: 8600GT or 1950PRO. GeForce is a bit cheaper, here are example prices (not in dollars):

PALIT XpertVision GeForce 8600GT Super,512MB DDR3(128bit),PCI-E,TV/DUALDVI,BOX - 288
PALIT XpertVision GeForce 8600GTS, 512MB, DDR3 (128bit), PCI-E, HDMI/DVI, BOX - 352
PALIT XpertVision GeForce 8600GT Super+, 1GB DDR2 (128bit), PCI-E,HDMI/DVI,BOX - 251
GALAXY GeForce 8600GT 512MB DDR3/128b TV/DVI PCI-E (Cool Master)(Over Clock) (1,4ns)(600/1400) - 266

ASUS EAX1950PRO Radeon X1950PRO, 256MB DDR3, HDTV&2xDVI, PCI-E, BOX - 314
Powercolor Radeon X1950Pro 512MB DDR3, PCI-E, TV&DualDVI, retail - 376
or maybe
PALIT XpertVision Radeon HD3850,256MB DDR3(256bit),PCI-E,HDTV&2xDVI,BOX - 372
or maybe
PALIT XpertVision Radeon X2600XT Sonic 256MB DDR3 (128bit), PCI-E, HDTV&DUALDVI - 283

What I don't like about Radeon are legendary driver problems I have read about (anybody could comment on that?), that's the main point that worries me. Also 8600 seems to be better suited for overclocking.

On the other hand, apparently 1950PRO would be quite a bit faster in older games and I care about that, because I think the cards I write about are too weak for newest games. I don't know if 8600's performance would be satisfactory with older ones or not. My current LCD is 15' 1024x768 but I will probably buy a bigger one. That also raises a question of memory, because I read here that in smaller resulutions 256MB is more than enough, so what is the resulution/monitor size that 512MB makes a difference?

Also, is there much difference between ddr2 and ddr3 RAM?

[Calamar]

None of them. Too old. Save a little more money and go for at least a 8800GTS. Also forget about DDR2. I've got 2 8600GT, thats why I tell you this.

[DMB2000uk]

What is the rest of the system that this card will go in?

Especially the PSU (make and model number would be great if you know).

Dan

[Foxtrot]

Dan, I don't know. I'm starting with a graphics card In fact I was going to ask what kind of CPU goes in hand with this kind of cards, Athlon 64 3500+ maybe?

[DMB2000uk]

What is your budget for this build? Depending on how much you are willing to spend overall decides on what you should go with.

Though having said that currently Intel offers the best performance for your money whatever you are spending. If you are willing to overclock, then you can get even more performance from your CPU.

Dan

[martini161]

where do you live? those prices seem very high.
go with the 8600gt, itll get you better performance. and as for when you need more than 256mb of memory id say around 1440X900 or so

[DMB2000uk]

Poland is the answer to that question (I'm magic so I know everything, and no, i didn't use my mod powers to look up their IP address)

So when you take into account exchange rate and VAT, the prices are fairly in-line with what they should be.

Dan

[martini161]

Poland is the answer to that question (I'm magic so I know everything, and no, i didn't use my mod powers to look up their IP address)

So when you take into account exchange rate and VAT, the prices are fairly in-line with what they should be.

Dan

maybe hes using a proxy

[Calamar]

I still thing that a 8600GT is not a good choice. You can buy a 8800GTS for about 200€ which is a 1/3 of a ~600€ computer. If 200€ is too much between that and 100€ 8600GT you can always buy a 150€ 9600GT...

If, as you said, the first component you're interested (you'll build the computer around it), is the graphic card, 8600GT and similars are a bad choice. As a reference, 8600GT in SLI and oveclocked give me 4000/3500 in SM2/SM3, 3dmark06 (single 8600GT without OC 1900/1900). (Look for my topics for full specs).
A non OC 9600GT SINGLE 4500/5000. And a 8800GTS can give you 5000-5500 in both. Not to mention that when you push settings higher a 8800GTS will increase the performance difference with a 8600GT.

How much do you plan to spend?
How many components will you recycle? (case, PSU, cooler, DVD)

[vicaphit]

Calamar makes a good point here. If you are basing your build around the graphics card, you probably shouldn't buy a card that won't give you the best power for your money. Invest 50€ more and you can get double the power. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to cut some costs elsewhere.

[Foxtrot]

Yes, Poland is the answer I am planning to spend 1500-2000 PLN [1EURO = 3,5PLN, 1USD = 2,25PLN] with little or no recycling except the mouse, speakers and the LCD which I think I'll upgrade anyway a bit later. 9600GTs start at ~450, I'll consider it, you think I would be able to build a good computer around it within 1500 budget? I started with the video card because I felt it required the most research, other components are pretty straightforward with the exception of mainboard, that will be a tough nut to crack.

PS. martini answered my question, and the rest - 8600 or 1950?

[stopthekilling77]

if you can, go for a G92 8800GTS 512

but if you cant i'd still go with the 8600 over the 1950

[Foxtrot]

short of 8800gt, which is better, 8800gs or 9600gt?

[DMB2000uk]

The 8800GS is better than the 9600GT in some games, but the 9600GT is better than the 8800GS in others. When you average out the performance, there is only a 3% difference between the cards. So how different are they in price? It probably makes sense to go with the cheaper of the two.

Dan

[Foxtrot]

PALIT XpertVision GeForce 8800GS, 384MB DDR3 (192bit), PCI-E - 383
PALIT XpertVision GF 9600GT Super, 512MB DDR3 (256bit), PCI-E, HDTV/2xDVI, BOX - 423

8800gs is cheaper but it has less ram and with these cards it may make a difference. Besides, there's this 256/192 bit thing, I don't know if it matters.

P.S. Dan, you have a link to the comparison?

[DMB2000uk]

Woops, the review I looked at last night was of a 768MB 8800GS, not the regular 384MB one >_<

Found another review on Fudzilla, and the 9600GT beats the regular 8800GS in every benchmark
(link here)

At 1280x1024 (which is more pixels than 1440x900), with some AA and AF, the 9600GT is 13% faster than the 8800GS.
(The 9600GT is only 10% higher cost, so go for it )

Dan

[Foxtrot]

On the other hand, overclock 8800GS and you almost get the 8800GT:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA ... GS/24.html

Well not exactly, it's more like 9600:
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?optio ... mitstart=1

P.S. I have found out that Palit 8800GS 384 has no temperature sensor and the fan is always 100% on, so it kind of disqualifies the card for me.

[Calamar]

Also take into account which of one has a lower power consumption. Try to look for prices/cards in alternate.net for poland (If shops cannot be recommended please edit my post).
1750PLN are about 500 euros. Is a cheap computer indeed for a 8800GTS. I see you're looking between 8800GS and 9600GT, have you seen the latest review here in legit? :D
Good luck with your new computer!

[aircommando13]

I would reccomend the 9600 GT, they are up to 90% better than the 8600 Gt and are dirt cheap, found one the other day on newegg for $140(USD) after rebates.

[ibleet]

Last I checked, Tiger Direct had the XFX 8800gt for $99.99 after MIR, and includes a free copy of CoD4. I just ordered one today.