8600 GTs, which is better?

[zeroinfish]

Hello, all.

I am looking at two graphics cards to put into a Dell Vostro 200 tower.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150247

They are both XFX GeForce 8600 GTs. The first is a 256 MB card with GDDR3. The second is a a 512MB card for only $10 more, but it is GDDR2. I do some gaming, but I don't really strain my machines with the latest or highest end games. I do however keep them for a long time, so I'd prefer to do get something that will be good now and last me for several years.

I really have no idea how the issue of double RAM vs GDDR2 pans out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Arkaign]

Ram type is irrelevant. What's important is ram bandwidth. In this case, the 256MB card has memory running @ 1600mhz, and the 512MB's ram is only clocked @ 1180mhz.

So : in cases where you aren't running in excess of the 256MB memory limit (say 1280x1024 or 1440x900 in pretty much any game), the 256MB would vastly outperform the 512MB one. With such a drastic difference in memory speed, it's probable that even at higher resolutions, the 512MB card would still be slower.

Fwiw : get an X1950GT instead. It will run circles around the 8600GT, and you can get them cheap :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102094 512MB $128

If you're extremely worried about card size or power issues, then get an 2600XT, which is also better than an 8600GT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102703 512MB $115

 

[clickynext]

I would argue that with a lower powered card like the 8600GT, you aren't going to be running at the resolutions and quality settings that will require more than 256MB. The GPU isn't powerful enough to handle those. So going to extra ram will likely decrease the performance in most cases, due to the lower memory clock.

I've got an XFX 8600GT 256MB, and it can run most games pretty decently at high-ish settings. In several years, though, I would be pretty surprised if the card still keeps up.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

DDR2 and/or 512MB RAM on an 8600GT is a JOK3!

 

[zeroinfish]

Thanks very much for the replies. I was surprised by them because I had been reading some guides that said there was a pretty big difference between GDDR2 and GDDR3 cards. But everyone seems to agree that the 512 is worse, so good to know!

I'd also read a lot of posts about what a great value the 8600 GT was. I take it you guys disagree? I also noticed that the X1950GT you linked me is only 1200mhz, which I thought you were just saying is bad. The 2600XT doesn't list a memory bandwidth speed...

I'm also not really sure if I need to worry about card or power issues. The PSU is 300W and the tower is called a "Vostro 200 mini tower. Any advice? Thanks again.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

From THG recommended graphics card list:

NOTE: Beware of slower DDR2 versions of the 8600 GT! The GDDR3 versions are the recommended cards - DDR2 equipped 8600 GTs will be notably slower.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: zeroinfish
Thanks very much for the replies. I was surprised by them because I had been reading some guides that said there was a pretty big difference between GDDR2 and GDDR3 cards. But everyone seems to agree that the 512 is worse, so good to know!

I'd also read a lot of posts about what a great value the 8600 GT was. I take it you guys disagree? I also noticed that the X1950GT you linked me is only 1200mhz, which I thought you were just saying is bad. The 2600XT doesn't list a memory bandwidth speed...

I'm also not really sure if I need to worry about card or power issues. The PSU is 300W and the tower is called a "Vostro 200 mini tower. Any advice? Thanks again.

The best way to see what card will work without upgrading your PSU is to run through the Dell configurator. At the video card option you can see what they offer for that machine. They won't offer more than the system can safely handle.

 

[Syntax Error]

If you had to choose an 8600, you'd want to go for the GDDR3 256MB 8600GT, as it allows for higher clock speeds on the memory. The quantity of RAM is irrelevant as the 8600GT is bus-limited with 128-bits.

 

[Munky]

512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

Let me add this though :

A card with DDR2 @ 1200mhz will perform the same as a card with DDR3 @ 1200mhz, so long as the other variables remain the same (gpu / bus width / latency).

DDR3 is not some magic component that means greatness. A 2400XT with GDDR3 will get smoked by a better GPU with GDDR2.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

Let me add this though :

A card with DDR2 @ 1200mhz will perform the same as a card with DDR3 @ 1200mhz, so long as the other variables remain the same (gpu / bus width / latency).

DDR3 is not some magic component that means greatness. A 2400XT with GDDR3 will get smoked by a better GPU with GDDR2.

Yes... but I've yet to see DDR2 clock as high as DDR3

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

Let me add this though :

A card with DDR2 @ 1200mhz will perform the same as a card with DDR3 @ 1200mhz, so long as the other variables remain the same (gpu / bus width / latency).

DDR3 is not some magic component that means greatness. A 2400XT with GDDR3 will get smoked by a better GPU with GDDR2.

Yes... but I've yet to see DDR2 clock as high as DDR3

Exactly.

8600GT with DDR2 RAM = 800Mhz
8600GT with DDR3 RAM = 1400Mhz

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

512mb is not useless in games like call of duty or crysis. You can easily get more fps with a 512meg card.

But you are right ddr3 version of 8600gt is faster.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Azn

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

512mb is not useless in games like call of duty or crysis. You can easily get more fps with a 512meg card.

I bolded the relevant part of the statement. On cards faster than an 8600GTS, 512MB is useable, but you'll never be able to run resolutions high enough (or even be able to use AA) on slower cards in order to take advantage of the extra 256MB.

 

[taltamir]

only 3 cards are worth buying now...

3850
3870
8800GT...

Everything else either performs at the same level but costs twice as much
Or performs at under a third of these cards (ie, these cards triple performance)...

If you want to save money get a 3850.

 

[bsix]

Second that. Supposedly 3850 in 2 weeks will have a price discount too. 3850 Blows away any version of 8600.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Azn

Originally posted by: munky
512mb is useless on a card like the 8600gt. And the ddr3 version will be slightly faster.

512mb is not useless in games like call of duty or crysis. You can easily get more fps with a 512meg card.

I bolded the relevant part of the statement. On cards faster than an 8600GTS, 512MB is useable, but you'll never be able to run resolutions high enough (or even be able to use AA) on slower cards in order to take advantage of the extra 256MB.

is 640x480 high enough?

http://www.yougamers.com/artic...images/cod4_ram_usage/