7600GT vs 8600GT?

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BiggusDoggus

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# 19012 1-Feb-2008 15:29

Last annoying question on my long drawn out saga of my PC upgrade, I promise!!!

A Google search has a number of comparisons, all of which are quite old from the US. The general consensus seemed to be that the extra US$55 for the 8600GT back then wasn't worth it.

However, now:

http://www.xpcomputers.co.nz/views.asp?hw_id=1474

$179 for the 7600GT vs

http://www.xpcomputers.co.nz/views.asp?hw_id=1901

$138 for the 8600GT.

So now it looks like the 8600GT is actually cheaper than the 7600GT.

Does that mean the 7600GT is better? I know the 7600 is DX9, while the 8600 is DX10, which you would think would mean the 8600 would be the better option. But is it?

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

heavenlywild

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# 108001 1-Feb-2008 15:50

I think 7600GT may out-do the 8600GT, not by much if it does.

Anyway, I would always go for new technology, the 8600GT.

BobW

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# 108004 1-Feb-2008 16:05

The "Tom's Hardware" site provides a useful tool for comparing graphics cards, CPU, etc. See the "latest charts" section of www.tomshardware.com

Their comparison puts the 8600GT slightly above the 7600GT, though both are way below the latest and greatest cards.

With the cheaper price, the 8600GT looks to be a much better deal.

BiggusDoggus

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# 108008 1-Feb-2008 16:09

BobW: The "Tom's Hardware" site provides a useful tool for comparing graphics cards, CPU, etc. See the "latest charts" section of www.tomshardware.com

Their comparison puts the 8600GT slightly above the 7600GT, though both are way below the latest and greatest cards.

With the cheaper price, the 8600GT looks to be a much better deal.

Although both are far higher than the 9550 I currently have!!! lol

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

BobW

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Master Geek

# 108016 1-Feb-2008 16:37

Have a look at the Graphics section of www.pricespy.co.nz and you'll see the 512 MB version of the 8600 GT for $140 incl GST, which is better than the 256 MB one you're looking at $138 ex GST ($155 incl. GST).

BiggusDoggus

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# 108018 1-Feb-2008 16:40

Yup - saw that one but it's only DDR2 not DDR3, and it's a Palit, which (correct me if I'm wrong here, people) is a lower quality brand.

The really strange thing is the 8600GT's on TradeMe are generally a lot more expensive than 7600GT's. Confusing.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

dnb4life

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# 108088 2-Feb-2008 00:11

where's bradstewart when you need him?! he knows all about the geforce cards.

i also wouldn't rely on trademe's pricing for comparing graphics cards as its usually all over the place due to it having new product, used products and used products that people post as new! you'll usually find a better variety and cheaper deals on pricespy i find.

bradstewart

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# 108097 2-Feb-2008 04:08

dnb4life: where's bradstewart when you need him?! he knows all about the geforce cards.

i also wouldn't rely on trademe's pricing for comparing graphics cards as its usually all over the place due to it having new product, used products and used products that people post as new! you'll usually find a better variety and cheaper deals on pricespy i find.

You called?

The 8600GT comes in several flavours. 256MB DDR3, 512MB DDR3 and 512MB DDR2. The 512MB DDR2 version offers only a slight performance increase over the 256MB DDR3 version. Both of which are quite a bit better than the 256MB DDR2 7600GT.

I would pick the 8600GT (any version) over the 7600 everytime. If you are buying you need to be careful what you are getting especially when shopping on pricespy. If I was buying then I would be looking at the 512MB DDR3 edition, something along the lines of these:

http://www.pcgear.co.nz/product.php?productid=5493 and http://www.pcgear.co.nz/product.php?productid=5497

BobW

90 posts

Master Geek

# 108107 2-Feb-2008 08:36

If I was buying then I would be looking at the 512MB DDR3 edition, something along the lines of these:

http://www.pcgear.co.nz/product.php?productid=5493 and http://www.pcgear.co.nz/product.php?productid=5497

The second of these cards looks especially attractive because it is silent. Having a large heatsink, instead of a noisy fan, would IMHO be well worth the extra cost.

BiggusDoggus

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# 108256 3-Feb-2008 08:29

thanks guys - really appreciate the advice. 8600GT it is then...

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

BiggusDoggus

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# 108528 4-Feb-2008 17:38

Sorry - one more thing. The 7800 GT - thoughts?

Pricespy has the cheapest at nearly $600, yet TradeMe has them for between $100 - $150 (yes, I know, second hand, but still - that's a hell of a difference).

And Toms Hardware actually rates it the same as a 8600GTS, which seems very hard to believe.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

bradstewart

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# 108533 4-Feb-2008 17:53

The 8600GTS was the equvilent of the 7900GS.

The 7 series is a waste of time and money compared with the 8's

Fossie

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# 109126 7-Feb-2008 17:47

Mmm directx 10. Go for the 8 series.