8600gts questions

[mogar]

Hey guys,

I've recently upgraded from my ancient s478 p4 2.8c to an AM2 x2 5200+. I love it so far, but I'm wanting to up my graphics now. I currently have a XFX 7800gs XXX edition AGP card and was wondering if the MSI 8600gts oc card will show any significant improvements in the games I play (which are TES: IV, BF 2/2142/V, MoH: AB, Stalker, FEAR, CS:S) and games which are coming in the near future. I wanted to get this card when I upgraded my cpu/ram, but after reviews I figured I'd wait to see if drivers will mature and squeeze more performance out of them.

Also, I realize that there are some better alternatives out there for a little more money, but I have to get a mobo that supports PCI-e and a GPU for < $250 since I don't want to put myself into the red. So, what are you guys' thoughts on all of this?

Thanks in advance!!

*edit* PS - I forgot to add that I do all of my gaming on the native res of my monitor, which is 1280x1024

 

[The Null]

i upgraded my 7600gt to an 8600gts and the improvement wasnt great, it was better. personally i would get an 8800GTs for 250.

because the 8600 is only 128 bit, it is badly crippled.

 

[God_Of_Death]

a X1950PRO will fit your needs. last time i checked you can get one from the egg for $150~

 

[mogar]

Well, looks like the drivers haven't done much for the card then. I guess I'll be going ATI until the next round of refreshes. Thanks for the opinions guys.

 

[Sean]

because the 8600 is only 128 bit, it is badly crippled.

I have to ask, why does everyone say the 8600 @ 128bit is crippled? Sure its not 8800GTS 320 speed but crippled, no.

 

[The Null]

I have to ask, why does everyone say the 8600 @ 128bit is crippled? Sure its not 8800GTS 320 speed but crippled, no.

i would say it is, its the midrange of the new generation and it cant outperform the flag ship of last generation, it cant even out perform the lower 7900's.

 

[0ptional]

i would say it is, its the midrange of the new generation and it cant outperform the flag ship of last generation, it cant even out perform the lower 7900's.

overclocks like a mofo and outperformed my bfg 7800gtx oc and gave me better h264 decoding to let my cpu off the hook a bit, that was worth the upgrade for me, but i've since moved back to an ATX standard case from the Shuttle and have an 8800gts 320mb now.

 

[water1]

overclocks like a mofo and outperformed my bfg 7800gtx oc and gave me better h264 decoding to let my cpu off the hook a bit, that was worth the upgrade for me, but i've since moved back to an ATX standard case from the Shuttle and have an 8800gts 320mb now.

Optional87, Going from a 8600gts to an 8800gts320 what was the differance like ? Was it a big differance ?

 

[water1]

Deleted

 

[Sean]

Highlight your last post and erase it and put "Deleted" as the text reason, double post, it will probably get cleaned up by a mod.

The 8600GTS isn't a perfect card, that would be a GTX or Ultra. But $700 to $900 Canadian for a video card... DIAF!

 

[Uberbob102000]

Well I bought one for my little brother for his birthday. Same one you want and he can max TES IV and most games he plays.
I would get an X1950XT or Pro though. He wanted DX10 so I got him the GTS instead.

 

[The Null]

overclocks like a mofo and outperformed my bfg 7800gtx oc and gave me better h264 decoding to let my cpu off the hook a bit, that was worth the upgrade for me, but i've since moved back to an ATX standard case from the Shuttle and have an 8800gts 320mb now.

true, 1ghz on air is pretty unusual.

 

[0ptional]

Optional87, Going from a 8600gts to an 8800gts320 what was the differance like ? Was it a big differance ?

oh yeah, absolutely, go with the 8800 if your situation allows it, much better card, and i find i'm trying newer more intensive games when before i was a little scared.

I also bumped up from 1680x1050 on a 22" lcd to 1920x1200 on a 24" lcd so I wanted more power to push this res... funny story though about how the 640mb 8800gts i paid for came in the mail as a 320mb card.... oh well, this card is good enough and i got it all sorted out anyways, but really lame as i wanted the 640mb, i kinda got 'stuck' with this card and don't want to be without a computer again so i don't want to bother selling it.

anyway for the OP's needs at 1280x1024 the 8600GTS is a good match. The 8600GTS pushed 1280x1024 and even 1680x1050 in earlier DX9 and some more current stuff at good enough settings to be playable and still looking good enough, plus it's DX10 and has that nice h264 decoding onboard.

The 8800GTS/X/Ultra is where it's at though if you can, and I recommend a monitor upgrade before you buy a new card if you're still gaming at 1280x1024

 

[mogar]

Thanks for all the input guys!! I really appreciate it! Looks like I've got a choice on my hands now again. I was gonna get a 22 inch monitor and an 8800gts, but my car is now in the shop and I have a large bill coming my way, so my original $650 budget got cut down to $250 so thats why I will be gaming at 1280x1024 for the fore-seeable future. Otherwise, yeah, would love to jump right into the high-end. Looks like now I gotta decide whether to spend a little more on a 8600 or save a bit on an x1950. At least it seems like I can't go wrong with either choice at my res.

Once again, I thank you all for your input!

 

[Sean]

8600GTS XXX @ 730/1130 and you will be happy with that resolution and the price is under your budget. Its the fastest 8600GTS on the market from the factory. Either that or the BFG 8600GTS OC2 with thermal intelligence. Sorry to hear about the car. Had that happen this summer. $900 bucks later. Which is why I got the 8600 in the first place, and then I got a bonus and got a second one, for fun. 60FPS outside in Obilvion with grass half way and all shadows on.