1x8800GTS vs 2x8600gts

[Plumcuda1]

Its been a long time since I have built a new gaming rig ...

So would an 8800GTS be better than 2 8600's? (512 versions)

cpu is a Q6600

thx

 

[Dkcode]

1 GTS defiantly.

 

[Stefx]

Agreed

 

[Keysplayr]

1 GTS

 

[Arkaign]

1 8800 would probably be faster than 4 8600GTS, if it were even possible to hook them all up.

 

[imported_i2k]

GTS card is awesome, very quick.

 

[Sonikku]

Quality, not quantity.

 

[Plumcuda1]

Okay thx a lot.

 

[Slugbait]

You specified the amount of memory on the 8600, but neglected to specify it for the 8800.

I found several comparisons between the 8600GTS and 8800GTS.

One in particular showed that 8600GTS 256 in SLI approached framerates of a single 8800GTS 640 in some games, such as Oblivion and Quake4...but of course could not top it. Other games showed SLI significantly lower in FPS than the 8800, such as Serious Sam, and one or two games showed little FPS increase when using 8600GTS in SLI.

Alas, I could find nothing on an 8600GTS 512 in SLI. However, I would assume that because it has a 192 meg advantage over the 8800GTS 320, that the multitexturing would be superior, and push the 8600GTS 512 in SLI way ahead of a single 8800GTS 320. And it would likely beat a single 8800GTS 640 in most games as well.

But it probably wouldn't be money well spent.

 

[Plumcuda1]

Sorry I was thinking the 640 8800GTS

 

[daveybrat]

Definitely get the 8800GTS, faster card, better support than SLI headaches, less power draw than using 2 cards, and you can always add another one later for even more speed!

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
You specified the amount of memory on the 8600, but neglected to specify it for the 8800.

I found several comparisons between the 8600GTS and 8800GTS.

One in particular showed that 8600GTS 256 in SLI approached framerates of a single 8800GTS 640 in some games, such as Oblivion and Quake4...but of course could not top it. Other games showed SLI significantly lower in FPS than the 8800, such as Serious Sam, and one or two games showed little FPS increase when using 8600GTS in SLI.

Alas, I could find nothing on an 8600GTS 512 in SLI. However, I would assume that because it has a 192 meg advantage over the 8800GTS 320, that the multitexturing would be superior, and push the 8600GTS 512 in SLI way ahead of a single 8800GTS 320. And it would likely beat a single 8800GTS 640 in most games as well.

But it probably wouldn't be money well spent.

Still, even if SLI was 100% efficient and 0% overhead loss, your still trying to make 64 shaders (8600GTS each have 32) compete with 96. 320MB on an 8800GTS is almost a non issue until you get into real high resolutions, and sometimes even then it's fine. depends on the game. The only drastic difference I have seen thus far, is Call of Juarez in DX10 mode. The extra textures really TANKED the GTS320 but had no effect on the 640. It's the reason why I bought the 640 over the 320. I knew there would be times the extra memory would come in handy.

 

[Plumcuda1]

Biggest reason for the upgrade is Medal of Honor Airborne. My current pc doesnt like it too well.

 

[Staples]

The problem I have with the GTS is that it has been out for over 6 months and I am under the impression that is has not dropped a cent in that time.

I really want to build a new PC because the processor market is so good however the GPU market is just terrible.

 

[niggles]

Originally posted by: Staples
The problem I have with the GTS is that it has been out for over 6 months and I am under the impression that is has not dropped a cent in that time.

And until ATI/AMD pulls it's finger out and gives some competition it's probably not going to change that much either. Why would they drop their prices when they're the only game in town?

 

[Dkcode]

Just buy the stuff, forget and enjoy.

 

[Stefx]

Originally posted by: Plumcuda1
Biggest reason for the upgrade is Medal of Honor Airborne. My current pc doesnt like it too well.

What,s the rest of your system (CPU, ram) ?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

One in particular showed that 8600GTS 256 in SLI approached framerates of a single 8800GTS 640 in some games, such as Oblivion and Quake4...but of course could not top it. Other games showed SLI significantly lower in FPS than the 8800, such as Serious Sam, and one or two games showed little FPS increase when using 8600GTS in SLI.

Performance summary at 1600x1200 4AA/16AF

8800GTS 320mb is 92% faster than single 8600GTS.

1. It's very optimistic to think that SLI will on average scale 92% with 8600GTS cards.
2. SLi requires a more expensive motherboard
3. I didn't bother checking the power comparison, but I am pretty sure 2 8600GTS cards will be both louder and run hotter than a single 8800GTS card.
4. Some games don't scale with SLI (nevermind achieving 92% average) and initially a lot of new games need SLI drivers.
5. Over time Nvidia stops optimizing for older SLI models and then you are back to a single 8600GTS (look at dual 7950 card today which tanks in a lot of games even relative to X1950XTX single).

For these reasons it's hard to recommend mid-range SLI options.

 

[Keysplayr]

We should all send emails to Nvidia stating:

"We would like you to design the following:

An 8 series GPU with 64 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 65nm, 256 and/or 512MB GDDR3. And put the clocks so it falls directly in the middle of 8600GTS and 8800GTS 320 performance. And price accordingly. Call it the 8700GTS or the like.

And the same for AMD

We would like you to design the following:

A 2xxx series GPU with 160/192 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 256 and or 512 of GDDR3.

 

[elenter]

I actually have a question for you guys.

I have about 225$ (quit my job so that's all I have)

I've been thinking about getting the evga 8600 GTS but I'm not sure.

What is the best card in your opinion to get at that price range

My specs are:

intel pentium xtreme 3.2ghz dual core
4gb dd2 ram
250gb HD
and the Geforce 7300 GS

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: elenter
I have about 225$ (quit my job so that's all I have)

I've been thinking about getting the evga 8600 GTS but I'm not sure.

For $250 after MIR 8800GTS 320mb is the best card right now.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
We should all send emails to Nvidia stating:

"We would like you to design the following:

An 8 series GPU with 64 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 65nm, 256 and/or 512MB GDDR3. And put the clocks so it falls directly in the middle of 8600GTS and 8800GTS 320 performance. And price accordingly. Call it the 8700GTS or the like.

And the same for AMD

We would like you to design the following:

A 2xxx series GPU with 160/192 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 256 and or 512 of GDDR3.

That wouldn't work because a 192 shaders same gpu speed , 256-bit 2100mhz memory 2xxx series card will destroy the 8700GTS card you described above and Nvidia would have to use 8800GTS 320 to compete with "your" mid-range HD 2xxx series card.

 

[Sonikku]

Originally posted by: elenter
I actually have a question for you guys.

I have about 225$ (quit my job so that's all I have)

I've been thinking about getting the evga 8600 GTS but I'm not sure.

What is the best card in your opinion to get at that price range

My specs are:

intel pentium xtreme 3.2ghz dual core
4gb dd2 ram
250gb HD
and the Geforce 7300 GS

Go with the 512mb X1950XT for under $200 when it goes back in stock at the egg. It'll blow the 8600 out of the water.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
We should all send emails to Nvidia stating:

"We would like you to design the following:

An 8 series GPU with 64 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 65nm, 256 and/or 512MB GDDR3. And put the clocks so it falls directly in the middle of 8600GTS and 8800GTS 320 performance. And price accordingly. Call it the 8700GTS or the like.

And the same for AMD

We would like you to design the following:

A 2xxx series GPU with 160/192 shaders, 256bit memory bus, 256 and or 512 of GDDR3.

That wouldn't work because a 192 shaders same gpu speed , 256-bit 2100mhz memory 2xxx series card will destroy the 8700GTS card you described above and Nvidia would have to use 8800GTS 320 to compete with "your" mid-range HD 2xxx series card.

Ya think so? An 8600GTS has only 32 shaders and keeps up nicely with a 120 shader 2600XT (and that is at 800MHz with the GTS's 675-700MHz). Thats almost FOUR times the amount of shaders. So the AMD GPU would actually need to be around 240 shaders to keep pace with a 64 shader "8700GTS". Hypothetically of course.

These architectures are very different animals. 1 to 1 shaders do not apply.

Just like a 2900XT has 3.33 times the amount of shaders as an 8800GTS. Different animals.

 

[Plumcuda1]

Originally posted by: Stefx

Originally posted by: Plumcuda1
Biggest reason for the upgrade is Medal of Honor Airborne. My current pc doesnt like it too well.

What,s the rest of your system (CPU, ram) ?

Q6600
4GB Crucial DDR2 1066
700watt OCZ GameXtreme PS
500GB Samsung HD
Fatality X-fi gamer sound card
Windows Vista ultimate 64bit

Mobo is still up the air ..

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1
or
DFI INFINITY P35-T2RL

ENERMAX Uber Chakra case
Bigfoot Networks K1(w/ FNA promo) 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI Game Network Adapter
ZALMAN CNPS9500

I think thats it ....