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8600gt a good move from x800xl?

Soldato
Joined
8 Nov 2006
Posts
9,237
Keeping in mind I don't need a lot more horsepower than the x800, as its only running fs9.

It will be running AA though - anone know supported AA modes on 8600gt?
 
Up to QA16 I think.

If you're running on 1280x1024 or less i'd say the 8600GT would be a good move.

Excellent image quality over the 6600GT I was using before it.
 
Thanks for the reply there.

Yes, the res will be 1280 x 1024.

But I am just wondering, how much does the memory amount affect performance when using high AA - lets say 16Q?

As that is the setting it will be running. And as FS9 with the many, many add-ons it has can consume the 256mb on the current card easily, would it be worth getting the 512mb version (Yes, there is one, somewhere) for an extra £15 to £20, over the £76 I can get the 256mb version for from OCUK?

I don't care for high fps here, but smooth running is important, as is image quality.
 
My understanding is that the 8600GT is arround 7600GT performance, so depending on which X800 card you have (if its X800XT or similar) you wont be getting much performance increase at all. The extra ram from 256MB to 512MB wouldnt really help the card much as its not quick enough to properly utilize it.

For that sort of money you would be better of with an X1950pro, if after faster, smooth FPS.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-134-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=404
 
I have been playing with the idea of the 1950 pro, but I am pretty sure the 8600gt will have better image quality, which is its big selling point, as well as the fact that it is cheaper...I am also interested in the gt over the gts as I am happy to overclock it myself.

Like I said, am not after high fps, as its only fs9, but it does need to be smooth. And as it is only for FS9, and nothe else at all, I don't want to spend money on more horse-power that will never be utilised.

If it was for general games it would be easier as I would not go for anything less than a x1900xt, but as the use is limited I want to only spend on what is necessary power.

The system in question has the following specs:
Asrock dual sata2
x2 3800 939 @ 2.5GHz
2GB pc3200
2 x 80gb ide
1 x 160gb ide
400W Akasa psu

So if the game can utilise more than 256mb, what would be the effects of only having a 256mb card over a 512mb card?

Edit: oh yeah, am in a rush to figure this out as would like to order today for delivery tomorrow.
 
Oh well, just decided to hell with it and got the 512mb 8600gt.

Actually quite looking forward to havig a play around with it. As long as there are nice improvements in IQ!
 
ffallic said:
Oh well, just decided to hell with it and got the 512mb 8600gt.

Actually quite looking forward to havig a play around with it. As long as there are nice improvements in IQ!

You should have got the X1950Pro, there cheaper from what I see or at the same price almost and the X1950Pro are allot better, DX10 wont be much good on the 8600GT lol. I think the X1950Pro will have better image quality too.
 
Actually, got the 512mb ddr3 8600gt for more than £10 less than the 1950, which seemed like a good deal to me.

The 1950 might very well have been a bit faster, but I think it is power that would have gone to waste. The 512mb over 256mb might be a waste, but this remains to be seen - I have used a video memory monitor utility when as a quiet airport in fs9 and the 256mb memory was being eaten up.

I know it might not seem like the smart choice to a lot of people, but I do think it was the right choice. With the 16 x CSAA and 16 x AF, FS9 should look a lot better than with the x800xl that was in previously.

As for Directx 10... well, if MS actually release a DX10 patch for FSX which improves performance (ha ha) then it might prove worthwhile again. But for now, DX10 was not even an influencing factor.

Besides, I have played around with the 19x0 series in the past having had a couple myself - be nice to give something new a try :-)
 
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