9600GT vs 8800GT

[aVaLaNcHe]

Now I know nVidia hasn't released the 9600GT series officially yet, but I'm planning on upgrading my 8600GTS SLI setup to something a little better.

Here are my specs:
XFX 680i LT SLi Motherboard
Core 2 Quad Q6600
2x EVGA 8600GTS Superclocked 256MB DDR3
4 GB Corsair (2xTWIN2X2048-6400C5DHX) DDR2 RAM
Ultra ATX 600W PSU w/dual 12V rails

I know my cards are not the greatest by any standard, but they were the best deal at the time I built my system. Now that I have the option to upgrade, I've been looking at the 8800GT for a while. But I heard news of the release of this new D9P chips and all of that fun stuff so I became curious and checked 'em out.

I guess my question is:

Would it be better to get the 8800GT for a little more (I understand that price will come down after the release of the 9600GT, but after research it may be a little more expensive anyway), or should I try out the newer, cooler-running and more power-efficient 9600GT?

This will be done via the StepUp program at EVGA, so I will be purchasing two video cards.

[-RK]

Wait for that price drop.

I'd say to go for the 8800s. They'll perform better.

[wyz135]

Wait for that price drop.

I'd say to go for the 8800s. They'll perform better.

Get the Radeon HD3870 X2, but if you really really hate ATi so much, get a GeForce 8800GTS 512MB

[aVaLaNcHe]

Well since this purchase will be done via the StepUp at EVGA, I am not able to purchase an ATi card. Besides, if I did end up wanting to splurge on the new cards, I'd wait for the 9800GX2.

[Sunny]

You should go for the 8800 GT. They are better performance wise. The 9600 GT is supposed to be a basic update of the 8600 GT. The fact that the card is called the 9600 GT does not put it ahead of the 8800 GT in performance. Go for the 8800 GT.

[axesupra]

8800gt beats the 9600gt my man, the 9600gt was an updated version of a 8600gt., just like the 8600gt from the 7600gt.
________
BIG DICK MUSCLE (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/264/muscle/videos/1)

[wkobaint]

8800gt beats the 9600gt my man, the 9600gt was an updated version of a 8600gt., just like the 8600gt from the 7600gt.

Yup!! I think for the performance, 8800gts is one of the top. 9600gt just for entry level who needs directx 10 appl. Don't think the higher series is high performance :D

[Headfoot]

You can snag a 8800 GT for even cheaper nowadays. Go for it, better than a 9600 and not much more expensive

[Sunny]

True dat. The 8800 GT has dropped in price quite a bit since it first came out. So even better price/performance.

[-RK]

I'm now looking at the 8800GTS because of the price drops. Found a couple for under $240!

[wkobaint]

I'm now looking at the 8800GTS because of the price drops. Found a couple for under $240!

8800GTS more power full than 8800GT, just got it and post here about the performance for OC? :D:D:D

[Radiator]

Get the Radeon HD3870 X2, but if you really really hate ATi so much, get a GeForce 8800GTS 512MB

HD 3870 X2 = nearly double the price of the 8800 GT / 9600 GT .

Anyways , the 8800 GT is slightly faster than the 9600 GT... and faster by a larger margin at higher resolutions .

[Casecutter]

Well since this purchase will be done via the StepUp at EVGA, I am not able to purchase an ATi card. Besides, if I did end up wanting to splurge on the new cards, I'd wait for the 9800GX2.

Using the Step-up is probably not going to offer any real deal. :cool:
I believe you can only turn back one card (within 90days) and then have to pay the price listed on the EVGA site...ouch! Better to sell one or both and buy from one of the better prices, right today you can get a 9600 for $137-150 AR w/shipping vs the EVGA site price of $190.
Now as to what you get for your 8600GTS is SLI performance I'm not sure, but you should have/take a couple of benchmark on how your system does currently and then start checking to review sites on the 9600GT (there a bunch). Base on your build it should measure up to what’s used by the review site so you won’t have to make consideration in that respect.

Now it appears that you intend to game, while not shelling out $300+ The right place today for those driving 22”-24” panels a 8800GT a good compromise for average resolution. Finally I’d think a single 8800GTS 512Mb for $220 would "Wow you" over your SLI 8600GTS’ and just get away from the dual card it is really overated. :rolleyes:

[Radiator]

"aVaLaNcHe
n00b

Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 19
Video Card:
SLI 8800GT 512MB "
I really should have read this before making my previous post ... good choice you did , mate .

[aVaLaNcHe]

I grabbed the 8800s and I do notice an extreme difference in gameplay. Crysis on all high settings :eek:

[Radiator]

You've made me bloody envious ... I can run Crysis at 15 FPS at medium at 1024x768.. say what you want , but I find it playable ( because it doesn't fluctuate ) .

[Casecutter]

aVaLaNcHe – I take it you didn’t use the EVGA Step-Up program? If you did how did the pricing work out for you? As of right today the EVGA website price for the 512-P3-N801-AR is $240.
I’m still inquiring for one person who bought a card and within the 90 days received the price they paid (minus any EVGA rebate) and not spend significantly more to get only slightly better card. The only way I find it can work is say you purchase a card at near the top of it price/market introduction, then after only 45 days you figure out it just isn't providing the experience you anticipated. So EVGA will offer you back the price as long as you take your lumps and ante up the full-tilt-website price listed…I suppose for not doing the research to base your decision/purchase on benchmarks and reviews you're able to “fall-back" into their Venus-Fly-Trap marketing ploy.
For everybody I say thoroughly read the Terms and Condition before concluding that this great sounding opportunity is any advantage. Finally, I’m not saying EVGA doesn’t have good cards, but buy on all the other merits first, the video card market is always in such flux that in 90 days the Step-up doesn’t have one shred of worth. :cool:
http://www.evga.com/support/stepup/default.asp?switch=2

[-RK]

hooray!

I get around 20-30fps average at 800x600 w/2xAA and around medium settings. Mostly medium settings with 2 on high and 2 on low. I basically switched the settings to what the 7600 is good at.

Shut your goddamn faces about SLi being innefective.

[Radiator]

You'd most likely get a better framerate at 1024x768 , but I might be mistaken .

[-RK]

I prefer to apply the power of the GPU rather than take up the extra graphics RAM. My cards are after all only 256mb.

[aVaLaNcHe]

I did not purchase through the Step-Up. I was able to sell my 8600GTS cards for about 80-85% what I bought them for. Then I pounced on what was then an excellent deal for 2 EVGA 8800GT cards for 160 each.

@Case-- The original intent was to Step Up, and yes they offered to pay back the entire purchase price of the original cards, and I was to pay for any difference between the original price and the new StepUp price. I was on the phone with an EVGA rep for a little bit asking questions and found my experience with it to be quite pleasant as he answered all of my questions, and was polite and honest.

[aVaLaNcHe]

You've made me bloody envious ... I can run Crysis at 15 FPS at medium at 1024x768.. say what you want , but I find it playable ( because it doesn't fluctuate ) .

Hey, I envy you for being able to fully enjoy your setup. I have a few tweaks left to do before I can accomplish the same.

[Radiator]

Frankly , I just live with what I can get . Crysis is the only game , that I have to play at a sub 20 FPS average . Actually.. that and STALKER . Crysis on medium runs better than STALKER on medium + HDR and 1280x1024 . Well... STALKER eventually ran very well , when I got some sort of a performance tweak .
I wish I had the money to buy a top notch PC :S .