Upgrade from 8600GT?

S

Supreme

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Apr 4, 2009
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Looking to upgrade with a new graphics card... My 8600GT is in RMA right now, but I am thinking that I won't even bother with it. The fan is way too loud and non-adjustable. I am looking to spend about $140 with shipping included, before rebates. Preferably EVGA because I may want to take advantage of the step up program. I had been looking at the GTS 250, but what I could do is buy a cheaper card such as the 9600GT and step up to the GTS later as it would save me some cash now.. since i'm kind of on a tight budget. What do you all think?

EDIT:
In terms of games, most of mine are source-based, with exceptions to Crysis, Deadspace, COD4/5, and FarCry2. My goal isn't very high, I just want to be able to play on high/mostly high settings at my native 1680x1050 resolution with a solid FPS.
 
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Resolution? What games?

*EDIT* I see you have a 22" Samsung so I'm assuming its 1680x1050. If you want to stay with EVGA, the 9800GTX+ can be had with your budget.
 
No problem. I think the 9800GTX+ would be your best bet. If my 8800GT can handle all of those games (sans Crysis) on maximum settings @ 1680x1050, the 9800GTX+ should will be even better.
 
The only thing I see about that is, most of the 9800GTX+ are still more expensive than the GTS 250! I don't know why.. It would be nice if they were at least equal in price. Maybe if I can find a used one for a good price with the warranty in tact.....
 
Well obviously the best bang for the buck comes from a 9600GT, which you can pick up for around $50~$60, that will play all source games fine, with Crysis/Cod's you will be better off with a more powerful card like a 9800GTX, which can be found used for ~$100, I gamed with a 8800gts(G92) at 1680x1050 at pretty decent FPS and AA and stuff, which can be had at ~$80, keep in mind that the prices I quoted are usually found on a used product.
 
If you buy EVGA cards used, are they still under warranty and can they be used to step up?
 
Supreme said:
If you buy EVGA cards used, are they still under warranty and can they be used to step up?
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No, eVGA's warranty is only good for the original purchaser. If the original owner never registered it, then you might be able to get away with it, but you may or may not be required to provide proof of purchase.

XFX has a transferrable warranty.
 
Supreme said:
If you buy EVGA cards used, are they still under warranty and can they be used to step up?
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What the guy above me said, make sure that you get an XFX if you want to get lifetime warranty without troubles, but some times the seller offers to take care of the RMA process, or they will give you the original receipt to RMA it if you really want EVGA.
 
Check my FS thread here... For a couple more $$, you could have a factory OC'd card that would play all of those games and could be warrantied with a copy of my original receipt iirc.
 
Supreme said:
Looking to upgrade with a new graphics card... My 8600GT is in RMA right now, but I am thinking that I won't even bother with it. The fan is way too loud and non-adjustable. I am looking to spend about $140 with shipping included, before rebates. Preferably EVGA because I may want to take advantage of the step up program. I had been looking at the GTS 250, but what I could do is buy a cheaper card such as the 9600GT and step up to the GTS later as it would save me some cash now.. since i'm kind of on a tight budget. What do you all think?

EDIT:
In terms of games, most of mine are source-based, with exceptions to Crysis, Deadspace, COD4/5, and FarCry2. My goal isn't very high, I just want to be able to play on high/mostly high settings at my native 1680x1050 resolution with a solid FPS.
Click to expand...

my issue with the GTS 250 (and the 4850) is that you can get a 4870 512mb for just a little more, (been seen @ 134AR bot to long ago) and it kills both products. and the GTX260 after that. you can do even better used. if cash is tight I would put a WTB post in
 
Get the fastest card you are willing to pay for. No reason no to. Don't worry about the resolution you play games at.
 
GTS 250 would be good if that's as far as your budget allow

I'm using the 9800GTX+ (which is same as that 250) from my old 8600GT, the performance difference is of course huge. I think its a pretty good card considering its price, it allows you to play most games at good quality.
 
Supreme said:
Looking to upgrade with a new graphics card... My 8600GT is in RMA right now, but I am thinking that I won't even bother with it. The fan is way too loud and non-adjustable. I am looking to spend about $140 with shipping included, before rebates. Preferably EVGA because I may want to take advantage of the step up program. I had been looking at the GTS 250, but what I could do is buy a cheaper card such as the 9600GT and step up to the GTS later as it would save me some cash now.. since i'm kind of on a tight budget. What do you all think?

EDIT:
In terms of games, most of mine are source-based, with exceptions to Crysis, Deadspace, COD4/5, and FarCry2. My goal isn't very high, I just want to be able to play on high/mostly high settings at my native 1680x1050 resolution with a solid FPS.
Click to expand...
You have to ask yourself "Do I enjoy gaming as a hobby or do I just like to do it every now and then because my friends do/my girlfriend digs it/I get bored/etc.?" If you answered the former, buy the best card you can get and enjoy your hobby (probably an HD 4850 or a 4870 or GTX 260 on sale). The extra $30 over your budget is what, a couple of hours of work for how much more enjoyment? If not, get something midrange like a 9600GT.
 
I have a 9800gtx paired with a q6700. It does everything i need it to. Crysis is good enough.
 
Ended up going with a GTS 250. Found a great deal online for a new superclocked 1GB version! Will update once it arrives
 
I went from a 8600gt to a gtx 260 (216) and the difference was HUGE! So glad I did it. specs in sig. I play CoD and lots of source games so I'm sure you'll see a great increase in performance.
 
Corbin said:
I went from a 8600gt to a gtx 260 (216) and the difference was HUGE! So glad I did it. specs in sig. I play CoD and lots of source games so I'm sure you'll see a great increase in performance.
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Usually when the OP says that he has made a decision and bought so and so product, no one needs to give their two cents anymore. :D
 
I was just stating that he made a good dicision about upgrading and I'm sure he will be pleased because I was very pleased with my upgrade. :cool:
 
Corbin said:
I went from a 8600gt to a gtx 260 (216) and the difference was HUGE! So glad I did it. specs in sig. I play CoD and lots of source games so I'm sure you'll see a great increase in performance.
Click to expand...
8600gt to gtx260 is a massive jump. you would have noticed an even bigger jump with a little faster cpu too. in games like Far Cry 2 if a drop my E8500 down to 2.66 I lose several fps at 1680 and even quite a few at 1920. my cpu at 2.66 would still be about 10-12% faster clock for clock than yours at 2.66 too. anyway just thought I would share my unless info. lol :cool:
 
cannondale06 said:
8600gt to gtx260 is a massive jump. you would have noticed an even bigger jump with a little faster cpu too. in games like Far Cry 2 if a drop my E8500 down to 2.66 I lose several fps at 1680 and even quite a few at 1920. my cpu at 2.66 would still be about 10-12% faster clock for clock than yours at 2.66 too. anyway just thought I would share my unless info. lol :cool:
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Well the thing is I hit 3.2 with this cpu easily it's just I didn't want to keep it there because after I get enough for a quad I'm giving this cpu/mobo to my mom for her comp I'm building (with all the parts I've saved up from this comp) So I just reverted back to 2.66 because I'm getting 90+ fps in all the games I play anyways.
 
Corbin said:
Well the thing is I hit 3.2 with this cpu easily it's just I didn't want to keep it there because after I get enough for a quad I'm giving this cpu/mobo to my mom for her comp I'm building (with all the parts I've saved up from this comp) So I just reverted back to 2.66 because I'm getting 90+ fps in all the games I play anyways.
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what games would that be? i certainly dont average anywhere near 90fps in modern games. :eek:
 
cannondale06 said:
what games would that be? i certainly dont average anywhere near 90fps in modern games. :eek:
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I run DMC4 at max settings and I have to enable vsnc to keep it at 60. not all the newer games require that much hardware, fear 2 is another
 
My GTS arrived today and I got it installed. Just kinda playing through most of my games for short periods of times to see all the difference. It's like night and day compared to that 8600GT. I'm able to max out all of my games except crysis and even play around with AA/AS while maintaining very playable frame rates!

Idle temps at 45% fan speed are 40-42 degrees , load temps never passed 65 degrees for any of the games I played. My 8600GT was idling at 60 degrees and having load temps of 85 degrees
 
Supreme said:
My GTS arrived today and I got it installed. Just kinda playing through most of my games for short periods of times to see all the difference. It's like night and day compared to that 8600GT. I'm able to max out all of my games except crysis and even play around with AA/AS while maintaining very playable frame rates!
Click to expand...

Awesome! glad you like it. :D
 
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