[Hulsey]

The Card

Well it comes with Company of Heroes and GRAW.

So what do you think i am not trying to run the latest games just something to improve speed and allow me to play the odd game of CS:Source etc.??

[redden137]

To be honest m8 the 1gb wont make a bit of difference from the 512mb or even the 256mb as it has a narrow 128mb interface and even with 1gb of memory running at 400MHz (800MHz effective), it being ddr2 also limits the card's memory bandwidth and i think with only 16 stream processers doesnt make it a very good gaming card okay for run of the mill games i guess but i reckon it would struggle against a game like F.E.A.R.

[Carbon]

GeForce 8600 GT is a much better option at that price point.

[Cew27]

hey hulsey!, id say either the 8600gt or if you can stretch the 8800 gt

[link590o]

if you want performance, and can't get an 8800gt or a 9600gt, and want a smaller price tag, you can always go ATI. if you're not looking for top of the line performance anyhow, it won't make any difference except leave more cash in your pocket.

the 3850 and the 3870 aren't half bad performance wise, and they're priced very affordably now to compete with nvidia. have a look-see at them.

[Hulsey]

Ok thanks for your replys.

Looks like the 1Gb is kinda pointless then, for this card.

I think the 8600GT looks good decent price i may gor for the 8800GT ill see, i am going to buy a nvidia/geforce card i have bought them in the past ATi look good but i am not familiar with their range !

[Cew27]

same here i know nvidias card but not ati but 8800gt over 8600 gt for gaming

[mrdaveyk]

i got the 8600GT, for CSS etc runs perfect with high details etc

i was going to get the 8800, but that would mean a new psu and just cant be bothered

[link590o]

well just to enlighten you all a little bit so you're a bit more familiar with ATI, their 3870 performs roughly the same as the 9600gt. the 9600gt does pull far ahead in almost all cases though. that's because the 9600gt was designed as a part competitor to put ATI into a corner, but it still has a lot of the 8800gt's trimmings. as soon as the 9600gt came out, priced at an unbelievable 175 bucks, ATI had to immediately lower their 38xx series cards prices.

i used an ati card before i got my 9600, and it wasn't half bad at all. considering it was a PCI card, i still managed to play games like call of duty 2 and portal despite all other expectations that it would fail miserably trying. ati isn't bad, they just aren't as good.

it's almost exactly the same story as with intel vs amd. we all know that intel has higher quality and better parts. and amd is just...slightly less good.

overall though, my reason for recommending it was price. if you want to go for an nvidia, then i see no reason to stop you. i'd encourage it in fact. you might find yourself in the scenario of: "wow. everything looks so amazing. i wonder if it would make that game look awesome too" and you might start buying more fun games that are also more graphics intensive. i'm finding myself in that position right now heheh. but i don't have money to get games :(.

if you can stretch the gap, go for the 9600. it's twice the price but it isn't three times the price like the 8800 is. you won't regret your decision.

[Tidusffx]

I think i should start advertising for BFG you know...

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=771460

its a 128 pounds bit pricey compared to yours.

But this futureproofs you for quite a while and its got a lifetime warranty.

And in the unsafe world of building computers you know thats a good thing :)

[Tidusffx]

and to be honest, the 8500-8600 i can understand you dont want to play the latest games but...for the investment its worth now getting a 9600gt it will be better off for you financially in the long run.

but the 9800 are just a way to prove you have money they are a poor card for the price.

[Desertfish]

Originally Posted by link590o The 9600gt does pull far ahead in almost all cases though. that's because the 9600gt was designed as a part competitor to put ATI into a corner, but it still has a lot of the 8800gt's trimmings.

Hehe... that kinda sounds like Nvidia is playing their 2000 trick again. So whats the 9600GT then? An 8800GT with overclocked memory, a faster GPU and a different number on the badge?

Cheers:
Chris

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by Desertfish Hehe... that kinda sounds like Nvidia is playing their 2000 trick again. So whats the 9600GT then? An 8800GT with overclocked memory, a faster GPU and a different number on the badge? Cheers: Chris

Other way around. Kept the 512 memory, cut the stream processors by half but it performs just as well as the 8800GT and is way cheaper.

[Tidusffx]

i have an 8800 also...700/2000/1700
9600 have something i cant remember the name that when activated boosts performance.
the only reason i recommend that 9600 is the lifetime warranty and its a good quality graphics card. The 8800 i believe is the better card. But 9600 is about 50 pounds cheaper. And the difference isnt alot.

But the 9800 however that is a dual graphics card like the 7900. So remember that octa SLi post on here. That was 4 9800's linked up. Thats why every card is 1gb in memory.

Thats the whole "scam" with the 9800 its only real difference is 1gb memory and the fact its 2 cards. But when tested it showed minute performance increase over the 8800GTX

[Cew27]

sorry to hijack but im just wondering, what is the performance of the 9600 compaired to a 8800 ulta ko overclocked?