8500gt vs 9500gt

[Sam25]

A Nvidia 8500gt (512mb, ddr II) and a 9500gt (512mb, ddr II)...which will perform better?

 

[error8]

Perform better in what? Games? These two are not gaming cards by any means. If you want it for a HTPC, either one will have the same performance. Oh and if I'm not mistaken, isn't the 9500 GT an 8500 GT, but with a different name?

 

[Sam25]

I guess these are mid-range gaming cards. I plan on getting the 9500 GT for now, till I get the 8800gt a few months later. My present card is just too awful to handle games, it's HD 2400XT.

 

[s44]

The 9500 is a rebadged 8600, so the answer should be obvious. But it seems to me you should be able to get a 9600GSO/8800GS for this sort of money.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Sam25
I guess these are mid-range gaming cards.

No they are not mid range cards, they are entry level cards. Entry level means you can't really use them for gaming ( only at super low resolutions, bellow 1024X768 and with details on low) , since that is not what they were made for. These are used for HTPC or in normal office computers.

Whenever you'll see a videocard with DDR2 on it, that means it's not a gaming card .

 

[angry hampster]

I'm with S44. Get an 8800GS/9600GSO. Make sure you get the one with 96 stream processors..I think nV cheaped out and knocked some off of the newer 9600 cards. Seriously though, you should be able to get one of these or a Radeon 4670 for about $60. Either of them will blow a 9500GT completely out of the water. After that, the step up to the 8800GT is only marginal, so you may not even feel the need for it.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: Sam25
I guess these are mid-range gaming cards.

Entry level means you can't really use them for gaming ( only at super low resolutions, bellow 1024X768 and with details on low) , since that is not what they were made for.

Not really true. Reviews indicate that you should be able to play many games at 1280x1024 with medium settings, and Crysis at 1024x768 at medium settings, with the 9500GT.

OP, unless you are getting one of those cards for free (or almost), I think angry hampster's suggestion is a good one, if you can swing the extra $30 or so.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: Sam25
I guess these are mid-range gaming cards.

Entry level means you can't really use them for gaming ( only at super low resolutions, bellow 1024X768 and with details on low) , since that is not what they were made for.

Not really true. Reviews indicate that you should be able to play many games at 1280x1024 with medium settings, and Crysis at 1024x768 at medium settings, with the 9500GT.

I wouldn't pay for a card that allows me to play games on medium at a maximum resolution of 1280X1024. Want to game, dig deeper into your pockets for those extra 30$ and buy the 9500 gt only if you want to have a HTPC.

 

[Sam25]

These are the rates now where I stay (India), I found them out today:

9500gt (512mb, ddr2) > $130
9600gt (512mb, ddr3) > $170

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

If you can afford it, the 9600GT. It offers more than 2x the performance than the 9500GT for only 30% more money. A much better value.

 

[Sam25]

Yes, I realize. The thing is I bought an Acer PC some while ago and it has completely died on me. Since I bought the PC in Singapore, Acer India will not give me no warranty here (sucks!). Now, I'm salvaging what is possible from that rig and buying the rest for a new setup. I'll try and get the 9600gt or settle with the 9500gt for now and then save up to get a 8800GT.

One problem here where I stay is there are no specials deals here, the prices are almost fixed and pretty steep on PC hardware. I was hunting for graphic card prices in shops today here.