9600GT vs. HD3850 vs. 8800GS

[RussianSensation]

"The Hardware site PConline has posted an early review (in Chinese) of the upcoming GeForce 9600GT, the next mid-range graphic card from Nvidia. The system used was powered by an Intel QX6800(266×11) processor, a Gigabyte P38-DQ6 Motherboard, and 2GB DDR2 800 of Memory. The ForceWare 171.16 beta (which comes with support for the new card) was used to test the new GeForce 9600GT, while Catalyst 7.12 for Vista was used to test the Radeon HD3850. The tests consisted of 9 games (with all the settings on maximum quality)" - Neowin.net

GeForce 9600GT Specifications:

* Core Clock: 650MHz
* Shader Clock: 1625MHz
* Memory Clock:1800MHz
* Memory Type: GDDR3
* Memory interface: 256Bit
* Memory capacity: 512MB
* Stream Processor Unit / Unified shader number: 64
* Standard Shader Model: 4.0
* Standard DirectX Version: 10 (Not 10.1?)
* Video playback technology: PureVideo HD II/VP2
* Interface: PCIe 2.0

Bioshock 1600x1200
9600GT 512 = 48.3
8800GS = 48.4
3850 256 = 44.9

Company of Heroes 1600x1200
9600GT = 30.2
8800GS = 24.4
HD3850 = 28.2

Call of Juarez 1600x1200
9600GT = 26.6
8800GS = 15.3
HD3850 = 16.4

Crysis 1600x1200
9600GT = 20.4
8800GS = 12.6
HD3850 = 16.9

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition 1600x1200
9600GT = 22.9
8800GS = 20.2
HD3850 = 12.6

NFS: Pro Street 1600x1200
9600GT = 36.3
8800GS = 39.4
HD3850 = 34.3

DiRT 1600x1200
9600GT = 31
8800GS = 31.8
HD3850 = 27.9

UT3 1600x1200
9600GT = 101.6
8800GS = 89
HD3850 = 96.3

My thoughts:
* None of these cards are good enough for latest games at 1600x1200
** There isn't much hope for 9600GT at $169 when you can get 8800GTs for $199 after MIRs; and overclocked 8800GS is also $169 on Newegg.
*** The good news is that with just 64 shaders and 256-bit memory interface 9600GT outperforms both 8800GS and HD3850 which means 9800GTX should be a beast

Of course it's important to take these benches with a grain of salt since the card has not been released.

 

[Arkaign]

9600GT should sink to ~$125 pretty fast if the 8600 launch tells us anything. Nice product!

 

[JAG87]

not a fair comparison because the memory size is different. put 512M on the 8800GS and on the HD3850 and then it will fair.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: JAG87
not a fair comparison because the memory size is different. put 512M on the 8800GS and on the HD3850 and then it will fair.

Add in the cost then.

This is why the 9600GT will be quite the card for alot of mainstream gamers.

 

[Keysplayr]

Wait, what core is this 9600GT supposed to be based on? G92? Because with 64 sp's, that is impressive!! the 8800GS has 96 sp's, but not sure if that's a G92 core or not. Anyone know?

 

[Cookie Monster]

It based on the G94 core. Smaller than the G92, but still larger compared to the RV670 core.

It has 64SP. Not sure about TMU/ROP count though.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: JAG87
not a fair comparison because the memory size is different. put 512M on the 8800GS and on the HD3850 and then it will fair.

Add in the cost then.

This is why the 9600GT will be quite the card for alot of mainstream gamers.

Sure, the can be extra cost but 512M 3850's have been as low as $149 AR and usually can be found for $169, with probable drops when the other cards are released (above). That said, the 9600GT still looks super.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
It based on the G94 core. Smaller than the G92, but still larger compared to the RV670 core.

It has 64SP. Not sure about TMU/ROP count though.

Thanks Cookie.

And the 8800GS is G92 based? I haven't been keeping up the last two weeks or so.

 

[SorryImLate]

Do they have a set date for release yet?

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
It based on the G94 core. Smaller than the G92, but still larger compared to the RV670 core.

It has 64SP. Not sure about TMU/ROP count though.

Thanks Cookie.

And the 8800GS is G92 based? I haven't been keeping up the last two weeks or so.

Yeah I think so.

8800 GTS (G92): 126 SP & 512MB
8800 GT (G92): 112 SP & 256/512MB
8800 GS (G92): 96 SP & 256MB

 

[n7]

8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

 

[Piuc2020]

With the current prices of 8800GTs, I see little point in buying a 9600GT or 8800GS, for only $30 more you get a pretty big performance boost.

They need to be a little cheaper still but I guess there will still be some people seriously strapped for cash and the 9600GT is a pretty good card still.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: n7
8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

Nope, that sounds about right. I was just a little surprised at how well a 64 shader GPU did against a GPU with 32 more shaders. Hence my question about the cores and whether or not the 9600GT had a vastly improved architecture over a G92. It would appear so. I did not expect a 64 shader G92 core to blow out a 96 shader G92 core. I know there are bandwidth differences in memory, but it's only 64-bit difference.

Looking forward to what a 9800GTX can do.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

My 8800GTS 320MB is feeling outclassed

 

[Ylurien]

Originally posted by: WhoBeDaPlaya
My 8800GTS 320MB is feeling outclassed

Nonsense. No matter what 8800 series card you buy, you're talking about 10-15 fps difference at the higher resolutions. Overclock it a bit and you can match performance of a "better" card.

It's just Nvidia stringing us along with newer but not necessarily revolutionary products until ATI gets off their duffs and makes a halfway decent card.

Get your ass in gear, ATi. Enough screwing around.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

That's true, which is why I'm keeping my old GTS (helps that I bought it at only ~$205). The only game so far where I wished I had more shader power is Crysis (ice cave and carrier deck levels). Everything else is smooth even at stock speeds.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

So when are these being released again? ATi's HD 3650 and HD 3450 are more suited to HD video then gaming...

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I want the G98 8400GS

 

[fleshconsumed]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: n7
8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

Nope, that sounds about right. I was just a little surprised at how well a 64 shader GPU did against a GPU with 32 more shaders. Hence my question about the cores and whether or not the 9600GT had a vastly improved architecture over a G92. It would appear so. I did not expect a 64 shader G92 core to blow out a 96 shader G92 core. I know there are bandwidth differences in memory, but it's only 64-bit difference.

Looking forward to what a 9800GTX can do.

I wouldn't get your hopes up about it. True, 9600GT has 64SPs vs 96SPs on 8800GS, however 9600GT has better memory system, first it has 256bit memory bus vs 192bit on 8800GS and second, 9600GT tested had 512MB memory, while 8800GS had 384MB.

So it's a battle of processing power where 8800GS has a clear advantage vs. better memory interface/more memory which is where 9600GT is superior.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: n7
8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

Nope, that sounds about right. I was just a little surprised at how well a 64 shader GPU did against a GPU with 32 more shaders. Hence my question about the cores and whether or not the 9600GT had a vastly improved architecture over a G92. It would appear so. I did not expect a 64 shader G92 core to blow out a 96 shader G92 core. I know there are bandwidth differences in memory, but it's only 64-bit difference.

Looking forward to what a 9800GTX can do.

I wouldn't get your hopes up about it. True, 9600GT has 64SPs vs 96SPs on 8800GS, however 9600GT has better memory system, first it has 256bit memory bus vs 192bit on 8800GS and second, 9600GT tested had 512MB memory, while 8800GS had 384MB.

So it's a battle of processing power where 8800GS has a clear advantage vs. better memory interface/more memory which is where 9600GT is superior.

Ahh, but then again, look at a G80 GTS 640 and a 8800GT.
GTS640 has 128 MB of memory advantage and 64-bit memory bandwidth advantage over a GT. And a 16 shader processor deficit. Yet still gets is ass handed to it by a GT.

So a 64 shader 9600GT that puts itself right in the middle of a 3850 and a 3870, and probably just shy of a G80 GTS, gets my hopes up.

 

[Donts00tmesanta]

9800 gtx should pwn

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: n7
8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

I think it's 192mb or 384 mb, but I frankly haven't followed the latest low-midrange offerings very closely for the past few months.

 

[Cenarius]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

Originally posted by: n7
8800 GS is 192-bit w/ 96 SP w/ either 384 MB or 768 MB unless they changed the specs in the last day.

I think it's 192mb or 384 mb, but I frankly haven't followed the latest low-midrange offerings very closely for the past few months.

Can?t allow this topic to die on this odd note.

Let?s say you know that the 320-bit GTS is available with 320MB or 640MB, and that the 256-bit GT is available with 256MB or 512MB (not to mention 1GB). Now, if you know absolutely nothing else about graphics cards, you could be forgiven for drawing from this that the 192-bit GS is available with 192MB or 384MB.

The reality is that 256MB has pretty much become the bare minimum for all new cards over the past couple of years. Certainly for gaming cards, even at the low end.

 

[nyker96]

I like the 9600GT but currently it's priced a bit high, 8800GT can be had for 200 or lower now. This part is about 80% the muscle of 8800GT 512mb I say it's worth about $160. Anything higher better get the 8800GT instead.

 

[NinjaJedi]

out now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...A=0&Description=9600gt

With the price of the 3870/3850 set to drop soon I see some heated arguments popping up soon as to which is the best card at that price point. By the looks from the AT review posted today it looks like the 3870 is beating the 9600gt. The test where the 9600gt beats the 3870 it starts to lose ground at higher resolutions. Can't wait to see more reviews.

I agree with other that say it seems pointless at this price because for as little as $20 more (before or no rebate plus shipping) you can get a 8800gt