Graphic card help ? Options

[NaderG]

i know it is a car website but maybe someone here can help me out !

I want to buy a card and i came down to chose between two :
GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 : this card has 256 bit memory interface , DDR 3 memory and 512 memory , with like 24 pixel shader , the only bad this is that it is a DX9. 160$

GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3: this card is almost the same specs , but it is only 128 bit interface , which means it delivers the same power SLOWER than the other one BUT it is a DX10 card. 130$

both cards basically have same core clock speeds.

p.s:my tech level is ok so i might be wrong and i dont like ATI
if anybody have any suggestion of a better card that cost less than 160$ , that would be great

[lagos]

google both of them and check out the benchmarks/reviews. you cant really got by the specs because both of them use totally different architecture.

[cHinaman727]

www.guru3d.com

www.tomshardware.com

Good sites.

If you are looking for gaming, don't go with 128, get 256. Infact, just forget 128 exists.

Forget dX10, you don't really need it right now.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

Boo the price limit, I love my 8800 GTS. Really just got to research it.

[lagos]

I actually just ordered a 7600GT. I had limited options because I'm still an on AGP motherboard. It's a little surprising that most slower AGP cards cost more then faster PCI cards.

[LewFX]

8800 is the way to go, time to update lagos...agp i still have a ati x800

[joehernandez]

why don't you go with one that has 512 bit interface and more than 512MB, they are more expensive but,, are better

[Hanyo]

the 7950 hands down. You can always overclock the video cards to get more performance, but you can not upgrade the memory on it.

[LewFX]

Dell Home has the MSI Geforce 8800GT 512MB PCI Express video card for only $207.99 free shipping.

[NaderG]

well , i cant get either one now ! ... my sis was going to chip in and she changed her mine .... i think i am getting a 8600GT 256MB DDR3 128bit ...... it only costs 85$ and it is a good upgrade from my 7300GS with 64 bit

[xs94st]

u gonna sell the 7300? i have a barebones comp rite now n i need a socket 754 AMD (i know, its old n all that crap..lol) n i also want to upgrade from my 32mb video crap lol

btw, any1 got a 754 CPU they willing to sell meh?

[Kadett]

The x600 (X is generation 6,7,8x00) series is always the 'budget' version. A 7950 GT wil outperform a 8600 in any game. The only thing going with the 8600 GT is its support of DX10. But if you think about it, the card itself is to weak/underpowered to even take any advantage's (nicer textures, animations etc, etc) of the DX10 features in games. AND you have to use Vista for DX10. Something no one would consider. Vista sucks, XP pro is alot faster. according to OfficeBench/Mark tools.

[DangerboyJr]

Depending on how much gaming you do. If you will run Vista. And of course money. Get the 8600

If your not getting vista. 7950.

[jason]

x2 for the vista deal... no need for dx10 unless you are..

[punkuup5150]

i have the GeForce 8600GT and i love it for gaming working on photoshop illistrator indesign anything it looks good

[Sinyk]

I have read that vista gives about a 10% reduction in frame rates.

If you consider DX10, the 8600GT will support it, but any game that utilizes DX10 will be too much for the basic 8600GT. The 8600GT is a very very small upgrade over the 7600GT and it definitely not worth it.

Out of your two options, the 7950 would be the better choice.

As for the people saying 8800GTS is the way to go, The 8800GT outperforms the GTS, costs about the same and can be overclocked to match or exceed the 8800GTX, but at the same time, it only has 112 shaders. New G92 cards are going to be arriving with 128 shaders, supposedly next month and should provide another worthwhile improvement.

Also, AGP cards cost more because they are old technology. Look at DDR or SDRAM ram. It costs more because it's older now and probably isn't manufactured much (or the industry is trying to nail those that are reluctant to upgrade). It's kind of a "specialty" item now. Not all computer parts depreciate in value over time.

[netrata]

Hmm..7950GT or 8600GT. Like most people have said, the 7950GT will most definitely be the better vid. card for gaming over the 8600GT. From what i've read and seen through different forums, the 8600GT was meant more for Multimedia purposes like Video editing applications. Where as the 7950GT was meant for gaming enthusiasts. The downside to the 7950GT is that it does not support DX10 and DX10 will not be available for Windows XP. Where as the 8600GT does support DX10, but the downside is that DX10 will not be available for Windows XP users. But...there will be another DirectX upgrade for those who still want to continue using Windows XP while getting the same or closest graphic quality's found on only DX10. This is called DX9.L, and this new upgrade will also be compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista for 8 series cards that will utilize DX9 game applications. Anyways back onto the subject, you should consider investing in an 8800GT which has been proven better then any of the 8800GTS cards through numerous benchmarking and is comparable to the 8800GTX in some benchmarks. It will be a better bang for the price IMO. And for the AGP users, the 7800GS and also X1950 AGP cards are great for the mid range gamer (Med. settings on latest games). I know this becuase I owned both cards before I upgraded to PCI-E 7800GTX then the EVGA 8800GT SC.

This post has been edited by netrata: Nov 28, 2007 - 4:58 PM

[NaderG]

thank you guys for the help ! i already bought a 8600GT because i found a really good deal on it from newegg , as for selling my old card , i am not sure , i will keep it just in case something goes wrong with the new one , beside it is really bad : FAN is not working !!

[lagos]

let me know if anyone wants my ati x1600 512meg agp. ill be selling it next week when my 7600gt comes in the mail.

[SilentNight]

get the 8600.....better everything trus me...