SOLVED: 8600GT or 7900GT

[Krez]

Howdy folks, I need some help determining which would be the better vid card, a 7900GT or an 8600GT. Here's the situation: I currently own this 7900GT:
http://www.sparkle.com.tw/prod...il.asp?id=51&sub_id=86

I'm building a computer for my brother and his budget is pretty small, so we decided on getting an 8600GT, more specifically this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150229

Here's the difference between the two:
7900GT:
Core Clock : 450 MHz
Memory Clock : 1320 MHz
Memory Type : 256 MB GDDR3
Memory Interface : 256-Bit
Bus Type : PCI-Express 16x
RAMDAC : 400 MHz (supports dual QXGA displays)

8600GT:
Core clock 620MHz
Memory Clock 1600MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3

The 8600GT is much faster in terms of mem and core clock, but is on a 128-bit interface, while the 7900GT is 256-bit. So which one is faster?

 

[will889]

7900GT is markedly faster with older and slightly older games and in some new games but the 8600GT is a hair faster in a few specific new games, but more so with a heavily OC'ed 8600GT or 8600GTS. So 7900GT overall in the vast majority of games but the plain vanilla 8600GT only a a few modern games.

 

[Bobberrific]

I've got a 7950gt which i'm not sure what the difference is between the 7900gt. Works fantastic. I didn't want the 8600 because of the "double stacked" design. I would have to smash up my northbridge fan to get it to fit.

 

[will889]

yeah I have a 7950GT I adore too.

 

[Denithor]

Best solution: sell your 7900GT to your brother for ~$75-100 and then buy yourself a different card (HD3850 for as little as $150 these days is an awesome deal).

If he is into light gaming and/or older games the 7900GT will suit him very well. And you get a newer card for faster gaming without much expense.

 

[will889]

Great advice there!

 

[RussianSensation]

8600GT is a terrible deal. You get 32 stream processors for $80? It makes sense to at least spend $10-20 more for 8600GTS. However, Denithor's advice is the best

 

[Krez]

Alright, how about this one? Is this the best in its price range?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103051

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Krez
Alright, how about this one? Is this the best in its price range?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103051

Hmm you can find the 512 ones cheaper than that. Problem is for $199 you can get 8800GT 512 thats faster than 3850/70 cards. LINK

Honestly with that $200 8800GT, I'd only recommend 256mb 3850 for about $165 or so. But with this logic you can keep stepping up forever so I understand the issue you are facing. Soon 9600GT will come out so you might want to wait for that one. Priced at $170 it should outperform the 3850. But that $200 8800GT 512 sure looks sweet.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Bobberrific
I've got a 7950gt which i'm not sure what the difference is between the 7900gt.

"Officially" higher clocks.

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
8600GT is a terrible deal. You get 32 stream processors for $80? It makes sense to at least spend $10-20 more for 8600GTS.

So, that extra $10-20 gets you... more MHz. Both 8600GT and 8600GTS have same number of stream processors and everything else, differing only in "specified" MHz. See the Anandtech article regarding this.

If the difference is just $10, go for the faster GTS. If it is much more than that, see what your budget allows.

One more thing, the GTS requires a 6 pin PCI-E power connector while the GT does not, in case that's a deal breaker for anyone (such as for my Dell Vostro 200 that doesn't have PCI-E or molex plugs).

 

[LTG]

The 8600GT is just not worth it at this point, even if you are on a budget.

For todays games it's a slow card, and very little more you'll get far better performance.

If you can wait the 9600 may worth saving up for and comes out in March.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Krez
Alright, how about this one? Is this the best in its price range?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103051

GeCube HD3850 256MB $150 after MIR (should be back in stock before rebate expires)

GeCube HD3850 OC 512MB $180 after MIR (factory OC & upgraded cooler)

MSI 8800GT OC 512MB $205 after MIR (factory OC & upgraded cooler)

 

[Krez]

All those cards look tasty Denithor That 3850 512 doesn't seem justifiable if the 8800GT is only $25 more, however. In terms of percentages, how much better would the 8800GT be over the 3850 256?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Zap

So, that extra $10-20 gets you... more MHz. Both 8600GT and 8600GTS have same number of stream processors and everything else, differing only in "specified" MHz. See the Anandtech article regarding this.

You are right, my bad. I forgot how slow the 8600GTS was as well

Newegg also sell OCed 8800GS and that card outperforms the 3850 series for $170.

Benches

Here are additional benchmarks for 3850 256/512 vs. 3870 vs. 8800GT 256/512

 

[crisium]

Keep in mind that GS review page is comparing to a 256mb 3850 only. Still, for that price the 8800GS does seem appealing.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Krez
All those cards look tasty Denithor That 3850 512 doesn't seem justifiable if the 8800GT is only $25 more, however. In terms of percentages, how much better would the 8800GT be over the 3850 256?

Depends on your resolution and how much AA/AF you are using. Anything 1440x900 or less should be fine with a 3850, though the extra horsepower of the GT is great in games like Crysis and UT3.

 

[v8envy]

With at least a dozen 8800GT 512s in OC and non-OC varieties selling for $206 and under shipped (some with upgraded cooling) there's no reason to downgrade to an HD3850 256 unless your budget is really tight.

I mean, $206 seems like a lot relatively speaking. But it's the price of one game. Cranking the eye candy is worth the extra few dollars. Just skip buying one game and enjoy all the others that much more. Or, just hang out and wait for the $175 or cheaper AR 8800GTs.

The other alternative is to go ultra-budget: 2600XTs keep appearing for $60-80AR. Not fast cards by any means (but they are significantly better than an 8600GT), and that frees up a few dollars for a future upgrade.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Krez
All those cards look tasty Denithor That 3850 512 doesn't seem justifiable if the 8800GT is only $25 more, however. In terms of percentages, how much better would the 8800GT be over the 3850 256?

I just threw in the whole range of mid-level cards available. Personally I would go for the 8800GT 512MB or else, if you can wait about a month or so, get one of the new 9xxx cards nVidia is expected to launch in March. Spending a little more money now ($50 or so) will give you a card with considerably more muscle that will last longer before you need an upgrade.

Another option: get an 8800GT from EVGA now and step up to a 9xxx card when they are released (as long as they are out within 90 days you'll get one). You pay a bit more that way (shipping cost) but you can also see what performance is like and make a decision based on fact instead of hearsay.

 

[Krez]

Will that MSI 8800GT work fine with my current mobo?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131172