HD 2600 Pro or 8600GT

[bobdole369]

Just had to change motherboards - gigabyte ep45-ds3r died on me. I've got a choice between using the HD 2600 Pro, and my old card the 8600GT.

I don't game much, in fact 2d performance might be a bigger consideration than anything (I do a decent amount of photoshop and dpp), but I do play the new wolfenstein quite a bit and I still replay HL2 single and multiplayer a lot.


system is now an intel dx38bt - (it was free)
core 2 quad q6600
2GB DDR3-1066 (its corsair xms3-1333)
etc, etc.

SO -

hd 2600 Pro

or my original 8600GT

?

 

[RADEoN]

8600 GT is probably a way better card. I'm gonna say 8600GT.

 

[singe_101]

HL2 has no problems on the 8600GT. Advanced setting are pretty much maxed, maybe one or two eye candy things set at a medium level. But it is from 2004 with updates, heh. Things look very sharp down to the reflections on the guns.

Hmm, Wolfenstein. What resolution? Usually the sticking point on newer games is AA and all that, with it off they are pretty smooth but it's hard to turn it on and play. But there card costed much less.

For Photoshop I don't see why it would be inadequate, maybe add 2 GB of RAM more than worrying about GPU.

So you have the 2600 already? I wouldn't buy one. I think I'll make the 8600GT an HTPC card. It's really doesn't take up any room, miniscule even. But it works.

Here's a general summary for Sept '09. It rates them equal so no big difference. The 4850 is cheap now and the best value.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2404-7.html

 

[bobdole369]

Yup, deprecated machine from a good friend.

OK and having googled around I can't figure out why anyone would want a 2600 Pro.

I'll keep the 8600GT and use the 2600pro as an HTPC card soon.