Which of these would be better? GDDR4 128bit or GDDR3 256bit

[xRyokenx]

Since the death of my faithful 8500GT I've been looking at some ATI cards because they seem to be cheaper, but perform about as well as some of the newer nVida cards. Which of these two (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%204017%201305520549%201069609641%2010 6792278&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16814161206%2CN82E16814127303) would you guys say is better?

I'm partial to the 2600XT due to the higher amount of RAM but would that help at a resolution of 1280x1024 in Crysis? My old card had 256MB + another 256MB shared with the system RAM...

Any and all help is appreciated. :D

[Fuganater]

Go with the EVGA 8800GT. Same performance as the 8800GTS but its smaller, runs faster, cooler, and costs less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130301

Ya it is a bit more than the ATI (I don't really like ATI, less reliable) but you will be happier in the long run.

[Spawn-Inc]

^^ second that

don't go with the DEVIL!!!!



as for the two cards you picked i would go with a better gpu over more ram. that being said i would go with msi over HIS Hightech. the memory is 256bit on the 2900 vs 128 on the msi card.

like i said above above, go with a 8800GT, if you can find it :).

[xRyokenx]

Well, I don't want to spend too much on one. I'll go with the MSI one as of now... no cash yet so I'll take everyone's opinions into account while saving up.

EDIT: $160-180 is a good price for a card. I am NOT spending $250+ on a damned 8800. Screw. That.

[xRyokenx]

Here's the webpage for the MSI card... more thorough than the Newegg page on it.

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=RX2600XT-Diamond_Plus&class=vga

[Fuganater]

Still... If you can't buy an 8800GT... go with the 8600GT. Thats what I run and I can run everything on High or Very High. (Crysis on Medium). Also easily overclockable.

[xRyokenx]

I had an 8500GT and it ran Crysis on medium when I OC'd the hell out of it. I'd like something that runs Crysis on high and this MSI one (not the 8500 but the ATi Card) said it could do so. If I could get a link to the specs of a good 8600... and if it's similarly priced (or cheaper) I might consider it.

[Spawn-Inc]

eVGA 8600GT superclocked (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130091) :)

add your own cooling for the volt reg's then volt mod it like i did to get some extra performance, though i need better cooling before i can take it all that way that it can go. i got up to 800MHz @ 1.45vcore on the core and 910MHz @ 1.9vmem on the memory. if i had better cooling i might hit 1ghz on the core:):):)

here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380048+50001402+1305520548+1069609641+106791 921&StoreType=7&CompareItemList=N82E16814130298%2cN82E16814130293% 2cN82E16814130287%2cN82E16814130286%2cN82E16814130 091&bop=And) is a compare list of the 8500gt(there is two because i'm not sure which one you have before), 8600GT SC, 8600GTS 512, 8600GTS 256 SSC

out of all of them i would pick the 8600 GTS 512 i think.

[xRyokenx]

I had (well... I still have it but need to replace it if they let us... or refund it) the MSI NG8500GT... it was pretty good, but whatever.

The most stream processors those 8600s have is 32 and the MSI card I was looking at has 120. I just like the ATI card.

Thanks for the list of stuff though. Oh yeah, that MSI card can also be overclocked more than it is. They only OC'd it about 20Mhz... lol

[Fuganater]

XFX 8600GT XXX version.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229
Its a 128-bit, 256MB, DDR3, 620MHz core clock rate and lifetime warranty. In my opinion you cant beat it for $99.99 after rebate. But its your call...

[NightrainSrt4]

Dell had a MSI 8800GT factory overclocked for $208USD. The last couple days it randomly switches between $208 and $260.

Dell MSI 8800GT (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/games/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=29&sku=a1348853&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643)

Right now its back up to $260 but like I said its been flip flopping. I was thinking about buying one and trying to sell my GTS as freaking Evga's so called stepup doesn't do crap when they don't even carry all their cards in the program. If they had it I would have gone up to the 8800GTS SSC. But maybe the new G92 will come out right before my stepup ends :down:


Looks like they ran out or something because they don't even have it on their site anymore. That sucks.

[Fuganater]

Page can not be displayed.

[The boy 4rm oz]

XFX 8600GT XXX version.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229
Its a 128-bit, 256MB, DDR3, 620MHz core clock rate and lifetime warranty. In my opinion you cant beat it for $99.99 after rebate. But its your call...

I second that. A good GPU is like a PSU, it's something you don't skimp on.

[D1337]

Dell had a MSI 8800GT factory overclocked for $208USD. The last couple days it randomly switches between $208 and $260.

Dell MSI 8800GT (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/games/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=29&sku=a1348853&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643)

Right now its back up to $260 but like I said its been flip flopping. I was thinking about buying one and trying to sell my GTS as freaking Evga's so called stepup doesn't do crap when they don't even carry all their cards in the program. If they had it I would have gone up to the 8800GTS SSC. But maybe the new G92 will come out right before my stepup ends :down:


Looks like they ran out or something because they don't even have it on their site anymore. That sucks.

They tell you that... you can only step up to a base card, no special overclocked ones.

[NightrainSrt4]

They don't have all those details on the box when you purchase it, as far as I remember. Either way, they focus more on cards that are years outdated instead of the newer cards. On top of that, I don't understand how all their base cards can be backordered for months, and yet they can still supply to all their vendors.

Either way I've learned my lesson. Buy evga for the lifetime warranty, not step up. Id probably step up to an 8800gt and throw a waterblock on it, but shoot thats not even available. Oh well.

And they don't say you can't upgrade to an overclocked one, well they say that only reference cards will be released, but then they say that the overclocked ones will be released on a limited basis based on their discretion and first come first serve.

[xRyokenx]

Just looked at the newer ATi cards... only $15 more than that other one I was looking at. LINK (http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=RX3850-T2D256E_OC&class=vga)

[crenn]

Then get that.

I still prefer NVidia though :P

[xRyokenx]

Heh. I'ma wait and see how prices are after Christmas. Here's what I think: Software is easy to change after being released, hardware is not. :D

[Outlaw]

the HIS 2900GT card would be better in my opinion.

[xRyokenx]

the HIS 2900GT card would be better in my opinion.

Link? :p

[Spawn-Inc]

Link? :p

i believe he is talking about the two cards in your first post, this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161206).

[xRyokenx]

Oh. /duh

EDIT: I'll take a look at both of them later. In the middle of cooking, lol.

[Outlaw]

I know this is over a week old now, but, have you looked at the ATI 3850's at all? The 256mb version. Here is a review (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2217044,00.asp) that shows it competes pretty well for a sub 200 dollar card. It even fairs decent against the 2900 XT. Just a thought.

3850's at Newegg. $170-$195 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=106792462+1068309611&Description=dx10+256-bit&name=256MB)

[xRyokenx]

I was actually taking a look at one of the 3850s made by MSI. I think I'm gonna buy one after Christmas. I really could use a new card, lol.

[Outlaw]

Here's a CNet review with a few games including Crysis. (http://reviews.cnet.com/graphics-cards/ati-radeon-hd-3850/4505-8902_7-32745241.html)

[xRyokenx]

Hnh. I guess I'd need an 8800GT for Crysis to run at its best... hunh. I could probably fork out another $xx for the 3870. I'll look at prices after Christmas and then make a decision.

[Outlaw]

Even the 8800GT is only at 24FPS. And remember it was 1600x1200 with High settings. And if you are willing to spend the $xx which would be about $80. Why not spend the extra $10 for the 8800GT which will perform better then the 3850 and 3870. I am not trying to talk you into buy a card you do not want/can't afford. Just trying to show you that for 10 bucks you can get the card that the review show is quite a bit better in almost every test.

8800GT for $270 on Newegg. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150259)

Another review with the 8800GT and 3850/70 in Crysis(DX10) (http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=703&p=2)

[xRyokenx]

Oh yeah. I was getting frustrated with a bluetooth pair of headphones I was installing so I didn't read the review as thoroughly. I may as well get that 8800GT, especially since it will go down after Christmas. I've just had a lot on my mind, so bear with me, lol.

[NightrainSrt4]

Remember they also released a 256mb version of the 8800GT. Right around $200.

And there is a lot different with a 3850 and the 8800gt 512 in price. 179ish for a 3850 or 279+ for an 8800GT at this point. I hate how they jack up prices because they know its a hot item.

Id say 3870 if you can find one thats not to jacked up in price. 210ish is the normal price for one unjacked. 2 slot cooler that works better than the 8800gt's and as far as I saw it has better power consumption. Also is only like 5 frames off the 8800gt in most games.

But all this really depends on what is jacked up and what is msrp when you go to buy it in my opinion.

[xRyokenx]

Yeah, I'm gonna go berserk comparing prices come Boxing Day (I live in the US, whoop dee doo... syaing "the day after Christmas" is just annoying :F). Hopefully I get something before they run out and hopefully I don't get yelled at for buying a vidyur card with no sound.

[Outlaw]

Here is a review from AnandTech: 3870 VS 8800GT (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=6). The only problem that I see is they don't give the settings, unless it is on a different page.

Taken from: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2119503

For some obscure reason anandtech and others have been comparing the 3850 to last gen hardware or the 8600GTS (which is a joke, being outperformed by cheaper last gen hardware, 7900GS now costs 80$ on ebay and outperforms it)...

So I decided to go through their charts and summerize a comparison of what REALLY matters... 8800GT vs 3870 vs 3850:

1920x1200
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=6
(estimated from the dot on the chart, so all numbers are +/- 1 or 2 fps)


Bioshock 1920x1200
8800GT: 58 fps
3870: 51 fps = 88% of GT
3850: 45 fps = 78% of GT

Call of Duty 4 1920x1200
8800GT: 55 fps
3870: 51 fps = 93% of GT
3850: ?? fps

Crysis 1920x1200
8800GT: 41 fps
3870: 31 fps = 76% of GT
3850: 27 fps = 66% of GT

HL2: Episode 2 1920x1200
8800GT: 125 fps
3870: 117 fps = 94% of GT
3850: 103 fps = 82% of GT

Oblivion 1920x1200
8800GT: 44 fps
3870: 34 fps = 77% of GT
3850: 27 fps = 61% of GT

Oblivion w/ 4xAA 1920x1200
8800GT: 35 fps
3870: 28 fps = 80% of GT
3850: ?? fps

ET Quake Wars 1920x1200
8800GT: 57 fps
3870: 55 fps = 96% of GT
3850: 46 fps = 81% of GT

Unreal Tournament 3 1920x1200
8800GT: 82 fps
3870: 75 fps = 91% of GT
3850: 65 fps = 79% of GT

World in Conflict 1920x1200
8800GT: 53 fps
3870: 45 fps = 85% of GT
3850: ?? fps


These numbers show the 3850 to be doing pretty well... So it is a viable choice if you are on a budged. Otherwise probably go with a 8800GT if you can get it for a good price. (dell now sells an MSI OC version of it for 207 + tax with free shipping.. 225 total. I ordered one)

Interesting to note that in crysis and oblivion the 3850 is 60% of a GT, while in most other games (especially older ones, but including bioshock) it is 80% of a GT.


1600x1200 info courtesy of thilan29:
from Guru3D using the 3850 512mb version:

Prey 1600x1200
8800GT: 70 fps
3870: 68 fps = 97% of GT
3850: 60 fps = 86% of GT

Crysis (high settings, 1600x1200)
8800GT: 20 fps
3870: 19 fps = 95% of GT
3850: 15 fps = 75% of GT

Stalker 1600x1200
8800GT: 161 fps
3870: 120 fps = 75% of GT
3850: 98 fps = 61% of GT

World in Conflict 1600x1200
8800GT: 60 fps
3870: 60 fps = 100% of GT
3850: 56 fps = 93% of GT

FEAR 1600x1200
8800GT: 66 fps
3870: 62 fps = 94% of GT
3850: 53 fps = 80% of GT

GRAW2 1600x1200
8800GT: 74 fps
3870: 48 fps = 65% of GT
3850: 41 fps = 55% of GT

War Front - Turning Point 1600x1200
8800GT: 89 fps
3870: 59 fps = 66% of GT
3850: 52 fps = 58% of GT

Taken from: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2119503

Hope that helps. :D

[xRyokenx]

Crysis and Oblivion are the two games I really play besides WoW, so I guess the 8800GT it is unless I can't find it at a good price. Actually, I'll save up and buy it, lol. Thanks a TON for the comparisons dude. :D +rep

[xRyokenx]

I was looking at this card a moment ago and figured it looked good and wasn't too much more than one of those ATi cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122044

Seems like a good deal to me, lol.

[Outlaw]

I think it is. I wish these were out when I built my system... damn to being anxious! lol

I'm not trying to push you further into something else, but what about the EVGA version of the 8800GT, it is only (used lightly, lol) $50 more BUT you get 512MB instead of 256MB and a lifetime warranty. Everything else is the same. Leadtek vs eVGA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048&Description=8800GT&bop=And&Order=PRICE&CompareItemList=N82E16814122044%2CN82E16814130318) . Just wanted to point that out. The 512 will come in handy if you are using high res. with a good amount of detail. Almost every review would probably show this. Overall I think that Leadtek would do you pretty good.

[.Maleficus.]

Either one would be a good choice, but hell, if you're getting an 8800GT spend the extra $50 and get double the memory.

If it helps, I just ordered an EVGA 8800GT 512MB Superclocked and it'll be here sometime today. I'll post a review in a few days.

[Outlaw]

Here's some talk about the two (http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/229418.aspx)

Some more talk... (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168541)

Hope those help.... It had been said in quite a bit of posts that the 512 will do 30-50% better then the 256 version especially in the newer games like Crysis since there is a lot of detail which uses a lot of memory.

Good Luck!

[xRyokenx]

Well then.... I guess I'm spending about $300 on a video card, lol. Alrighty, I'll be all set for a while then (I hope). Thanks guys, the 512MB 8800GT it is... I'll look at the specs and all of different companies and what not when I have the cash.

EDIT: I'd give rep but I have to spread it around. Lame. Ahh well, you don't need points for a good reputation anyways. *so says the guy with too many bars*

[Outlaw]

Cool, depending on where you are now for savings, there might be a better mid range card that you can look into. Hopefully not...all that research is time consuming. lol Thanks for the rep anyways. :D Glad to help.

[xRyokenx]

I've got $170 from Christmas stuff and more on the way. After I get $X in the bank I'll order one... or wait until it comes out. We shall see.

A friend of mine told me to just get an SLi mobo, a new CPU, and another 8500GT (if I can RMA that busted one... I know, I'm not on top of things), but I don't think that'd work as well as an 8800.

[.Maleficus.]

I've got $170 from Christmas stuff and more on the way. After I get $X in the bank I'll order one... or wait until it comes out. We shall see.

A friend of mine told me to just get an SLi mobo, a new CPU, and another 8500GT (if I can RMA that busted one... I know, I'm not on top of things), but I don't think that'd work as well as an 8800.
No, it wouldn't. 8800 is the way to go. Unless you wait until *February* when the 9 series comes out. I'm extremely satisfied with my 8800GT. I have Quake Wars maxed right now (granted it's at 1280x1024). I'm also getting 12k on 3DMark, and that's because my CPU is bottlenecking me. After I OC my CPU more, I'll get an even higher 3DMark score.

[xRyokenx]

You have the 256MB one, right? I'm waiting for the 512MB version to come out and after I get that I think I'm gonna get a new CPU. Having a job will be reeeaaally nice... be able to get stuff sooner. I believe I should have one by the end of next week.

[.Maleficus.]

Nope, I have the 512MB. The 512MB came out before the 256MB's did. It is the...

EVGA 8800GT SC 512MB Superclocked Edition (that's where "SC" comes from). And, it came with Quake Wars (which is actually really fun).

[xRyokenx]

Alright, cool. I've got $175 from Christmas money towards it so I'm almost there... just have to save up for a car too.

[.Maleficus.]

Alright, cool. I've got $175 from Christmas money towards it so I'm almost there... just have to save up for a car too.
I know how that is. I just put $12 of gas in the car, because that's all I could afford :redface:.

Was your 8500GT an EVGA? It was, right? My recommendations would be EVGA or XFX (you probably know they are good though). Also, go for a pre-overclocked version if you can; better performance out-of-the-box, and they sometimes have a slight voltage increase to maintain the higher clocks (resulting in higher attainable overclocks).

[xRyokenx]

It was an MSI... and I'll take your advice on the 8800GT I buy.

By the way... the card didn't just die. Let's say I'm flat out DONE with breaking s*** out of anger. It makes me feel stupid and costs too much. And I hope to high heaven I didn't break my PCIe slot too... if I did I am NOT gonna be happy.