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GeForce 8600 GTS - Hmmm?

ph3onix

ph3onix

ph3onix

Associate
Joined
14 Oct 2008
Posts
44
Location
Boro, UK
Alright guys,

I currently have a Dell Dimension 9200, which i bought about a year ago. Originally I wanted to build my own system, but then bottled it at the last minute due to lack of understanding (and the associated risks involved).

Anyway ... I was just wondering - how does the 8600GTS compare with newer budget cards released lately? Would there be a considerable improvement with a card such as the Radian 4870, GeForce 9800GTX or GeForce GTX 260 for example? Also - would anybody actually buy a second hand 8600 GTS, un-boxed on ebay?

Although I've been reading this forum for some time, I've not yet contributed. I'm new, so hey!
 
radeon 4870 is at least 50%+ faster than your current card :) any hard from 46xx is an noticable upgrade from your 8600gts
 
Right OK thanks. I've noticed that the 8600GTS has been slowing when I'm testing the graphics settings in newer games.

I don't like settling with a compromise between medium settings and better playability. I want high performance and high visuals, as does everybody. I may be considering a graphics update shortly. :)
 
gpu comparison

have a look at the link above. You can easily improve on the 8600 GTS with the cards you've listed although you need to check what your psu can handle. Be aware that you will be cpu limited with the really fast cards but anything from a 8800GT and above will be significantly faster. I probably wouldn't go above something like a 4850 with your spec. The 1Gb cards will eat into your available RAM in windows since you are running a 32 bit OS which can only address 4Gb in total.

What mobo do you have? have you considered overclocking your Core2Duo 6700?
 
RichL said:
gpu comparison

have a look at the link above. You can easily improve on the 8600 GTS with the cards you've listed although you need to check what your psu can handle. Be aware that you will be cpu limited with the really fast cards but anything from a 8800GT and above will be significantly faster. I probably wouldn't go above something like a 4850 with your spec. The 1Gb cards will eat into your available RAM in windows since you are running a 32 bit OS which can only address 4Gb in total.

What mobo do you have? have you considered overclocking your Core2Duo 6700?
Click to expand...

You can't overclock a Dell as far as i know.
 
Nope won't be able to overclock that :(

Certainly agree on the 4850 512 though-would go nicely with your current system
 
Dell PCs are often fitted together how they see fit. They tend to not follow convential way of fitting things and your PSU probably doesnt have 8x grfx cables nor 6x pin. Although atleast yours is a normal case size. Having a thin Basic computer from dell was a nightmare. It had a special PSU, needed low profile graphics cards and the CPU was covered in this anoying plastic shroud thing meaning icouldn't replace it. This ultimatley made me make this new computer which was triggered from getting a 4600+ with a 6000+ cooler of my mate for £20 as well as a free good case :D.

Hes a good guy ^^

Anyway. You probably dont have cables to go directly from your PSu to the card. So i advise the 4670. As it is the best card out there which doesnt require direct power via a cable from the PSU. And it is very capable.
 
9xxx's are just reboxed 8xxx's, and usually cost more for no apparent reason. Go for a 8800GT, a 260 or maybe a 4870/50. If you do go for an ATI one make 100% sure you have removed all your nvidia drivers before hand. =]
 
If you want a upgrade but don't want to spend too much OCUK currently have an asus HD3850 512mb in the sale section for under £40. Given you will get a further £2 or so off with the 6% discount this is probably the best bang for buck going at the moment.

As a rough guide it will be at least twice as fast as your 8600.
 
the 8600gts is basically about 10% slower than a 7900gt (in most tests)

i know because i was sent an 8600gts from EVGA when my 7900gt broke, so sold it an got an 8800gt

might be able to sell it for £25-40-if lucky, and then buy a 512mb 8800gt for around £50-60, (massive upgrade)
 
do what bled said - personally for the price/performance it offers, a 8800gt 512 is the minimum you want to be looking at
 
Thanks for the replies. A 4850 seems like a good choice, I've read reviews and they are all positive. Im sure it would be a considerable upgrade. However, Il have to check the PSU and motherboard requirements. It could turn into an expensive upgrade.
 
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