Good PCI-E Nvidia Card Option For Driving Games?

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1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#23671 6-Jul-2008 15:50

I have recently had to upgrade my XP2200+ desktop/gaming PC to an Intel E4600 AM2 model due to the AGP Gigabyte Nvidia 6600GT card failing (the support bracket came away from the PCB, causing intermittent signal failure).

I tried the Asus EN8500GT Silent Magic (passive) card, from my HTPC, in my new rig. The card showed slight stuttering in Richard Burns Rally. Not much, but enough to cause real-time racing issues. I would have thought an 8500GT model would be superior to that of a 6600GT card. Could the lack of a 5v power connector on the 8500 card cause the problem? I also understand the 8500 cards were not that successful at gaming.

What card would be ideal for an upgrade (I currently have my old HTPC 6600LE card in)? I don't play FPS games at all, not worried about getting every frame out of it (just no stuttering/dropping frames) & not interested in spending $400 on a card. I want to stay with Nvidia & PCI-E variant. Thanks.

PS. disregard the sig below: that is for my HTPC. I have XP Home on my desktop.

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

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#143412 6-Jul-2008 18:22

Just to point out, at $330 the ATI 4850 is as good if not better than the 9800GTX at $460~ in almost all tests. Its currently the best buy at the moment. But looks like its out of your budget

Anyway, the 9600GT is $200-220ish and is a very good card. Once you go below that then bang for buck reduces a fair bit. An 8600GT would likely be the next step down, and thats a bit more powerful than the 8500GT, whereas the 9600GT is almost as good as the 8800GT.

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#143418 6-Jul-2008 18:35

If you don't plug in the power connector to the card then you WILL lose performance as the card runs in a reduced mode. The 8500 cards are not geared for gaming, however, the 8600 cards are considerably better than the 6600 cards and are quite capable for moderate gaming.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#143558 7-Jul-2008 08:38

Thanks for the replies. They give me an excellent place to specifically look at. Cheers.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#145723 9-Jul-2008 20:56

Where do the GEForce 8600GTS (w256mb) & the GEForce 8800GS (w384mb) fit into the scheme of things relating to gaming? Cheers.

And would an 8600GT w 512mb perform better than the aforesaid 8600GTS?

Finally, do any of the medium specced cards utilise a 5v power connector these days? None of the ones I have looked at -8600 & 9600- don't appear to.

eXDee

4032 posts

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#145838 9-Jul-2008 23:48

8600GTS cards dont seem to be very commonly used so i dont know where they fit in, but obviously above the 8600GT and below the 8800GS, but i'd closer to the 8600GT. As a guess, the 512mb version wouldnt make a big difference over the 256 version, but im not sure.

8800GS - you may as well go for the 9600GT which is much better and only $10-20 more depending on where you buy. The 9600GT sits just below the 8800GT.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#146074 10-Jul-2008 12:52

Thanks. 9600GT, it is, then.

Is there any real difference in performance/quality between the brands (eg. Palit, Asus, Gigabyte, XFG, etc.), these days? Thanks.

eXDee

4032 posts

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#146116 10-Jul-2008 14:06

Most brands use the reference design given to them by nvidia, so pretty much most of them will be the same. Only difference usually is some might be factory overclocked (usually advertised), and some have better stock coolers than others. On some sellers websites however they will sometimes put the wrong picture for the stock cooler on it, so it pays to check this out.

Theres also the 9600GSO which is pretty much an improved 8800GS, but still sits just below the 9600GT and isnt very common. Might want to check that out perhaps.

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1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#146941 11-Jul-2008 18:30

I went with the Asus 9600GT 512mb fan-assisted model & am extremely happy. Never realised the difference a genuine good speed card made.

I guess, even with my best special stage times, in Richard Burns Rally, using the 6600GT, I was having imperceptible issues with the graphics, especially in heavily wooded roads. I have never seen it so smooth. It has made my turn-in & apex points so easy to pick, on both dirt & track. Poor ol' Murph's extraorinary time of 2.06.95 at Bathurst was no where near good enough. Just goes to show how inaccurate the software is.

Thanks, folks, for making decision porcess a solid one.