x1950xt 512MB or 8600 GTS?

[impX]

I am looking to upgrade from my 6800 GT card. I am a casual gamer who do not need the best video cards to play (playing Eve Online currently). I plan to buy a 24" monitor eventually, so which of the two should I buy? There is the XFX 8600GTS XXX (overclocked) $149.99 shipped AR at ZZF or should I get a x1950xt 512 MB from Newegg (about $200 AR and postage). I have read a few of the threads, but cannot spend too much time b/c of work. So any direct advice here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a huge bunch!

 

[JPB]

I would go with this...

X1950 Pro

X1950XT models are really getting hard to find right now.

 

[impX]

Good suggestion, JPB. Thanks!

 

[Rottie]

I think you should buy XFX 8600GTS card over X1950 Pro because Pro version could not overclock very well (I tried it and it crashed). And it is cheaper than Pro.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

JPB's recommendation seconded. The x1950 Pro has a 256 bit bus vs. only 128 for the 8600 GTS. No amount of overclocking can overcome that.

 

[Sonikku]

8600gts = bad idea

 

[bryanW1995]

jpb has a great idea...except that it's OOS it's sad, you could get a 256 mb x1950xt for that price 2 mos ago. try this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...96&bop=And&Order=PRICE

several are around $125 AR shipped. get the 256 mb card, if you need more vid memory then you need a 1950xt or an 8800 gts.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

People might want to avoid that Jetway card you linked to--read the user reviews.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Except the fact that an 8600GTS can actually play DX10 games like Call of Juarez and the X1xx series can't. Given the 8600GTX is just onder a 7900GT for raw DX9 gaming speed it's not as bad of a card as you guys are saying it is. I'm an ATI person all the way so I'll only ever aim for ATI cards but you have to be impartial when reffering to the truth.

8600GTS vs X1950Pro. As you can see the overall difference isn't that great and the 8600GTS's are hellacious little overclockers. Go thru the "Choose Benchmark" dropdown on that page and look thru the comparisons and see what games are close to what you'll be playing and you'll have a better idea which card will be better for you.

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

DX10 isn't much of an improvement over DX9 at the moment. And even if it is, it isn't fully optimized for most DX10 graphics cards. The 8600GTS is a disappointment, since the cheaper and 'older' X1950PRO\XT beats it quite easily.

 

[Sonikku]

Originally posted by: Dazed and Confused
Except the fact that an 8600GTS can actually play DX10 games like Call of Juarez and the X1xx series can't.

Wouldn't want to miss out on Call of Juarez.

 

[Oblivion121]

Read this review and benchmarks, the 8600gts doesnt get beat bad by the x19xx's. In a couple games it does just as good and in a couple it does even better than the x1950pro and GT.

8600gt/gts followuphttp://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2975

 

[bryanW1995]

are you saying that a dx9 card won't play call of juarez AT ALL??? I find that incredibly hard to believe since all "DX 10" games out currently are just dx9 games with a little bit of dx10 thrown in, plus the vast majority of computers still have dx9 cards. Most enthusiasts haven't even upgraded yet b/e there's no decent option for $200 or so in dx10. hopefully that will change on 9/30, however...

 

[SolMiester]

Make sure you have a good PSU if you go for the x1950pro!

 

[Blurry]

Originally posted by: Sonikku
Wouldn't want to miss out on Call of Juarez.

LOL

 

[CP5670]

are you saying that a dx9 card won't play call of juarez AT ALL??? I find that incredibly hard to believe since all "DX 10" games out currently are just dx9 games with a little bit of dx10 thrown in, plus the vast majority of computers still have dx9 cards. Most enthusiasts haven't even upgraded yet b/e there's no decent option for $200 or so in dx10. hopefully that will change on 9/30, however...

You're right, of course CoJ will work in DX9. In fact, its DX10 mode is basically unplayable except on the top end cards.

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: Dazed and Confused
Except the fact that an 8600GTS can actually play DX10 games like Call of Juarez and the X1xx series can't. Given the 8600GTX is just onder a 7900GT for raw DX9 gaming speed it's not as bad of a card as you guys are saying it is. I'm an ATI person all the way so I'll only ever aim for ATI cards but you have to be impartial when reffering to the truth.

What do you call play DX10 games? 5fps, 10fps or 15fps? The simple fact is that the 8600GTS is too slow to play DX10 games! :|

My vote is for the x1950 Pro!

 

[toadeater]

This is an interesting little 8600GTS:

http://www.overclockersclub.co...asus_en8600gts_silent/

Just because it's "silent" doesn't mean you can't add a fan to it and overclock it. Even not overclocked, it did pretty well against the x1950. Still a tough choice, because you can buy an x1950 for $30-40 less. It all depends on how soon DX10 (and the Vista tax) becomes worth the trouble I guess. Probably 2009, or Q4 2008.

 

[tuteja1986]

get the x1950xt 512mb or 7950gt if your psu isn't up to the task :!

I will do a new benchmark guide post :! but i need to look at the latest review with update drivers used.