8600GT(512MB) vs 7900GT(256MB)

[Gerr]

Basically, I got a couple hand-me-down videocards and have built a secondary gaming rig that will also act as a game server and DVD player. Not sure which card to put into the new system. I have a 24" LCD with a native res of 1920x1200, which is what I try to play most of my games at.

My question is which videocard will work best for this purpose. The 7900GT, which has a faster gaming core, but only has 256MB of memory and is an older card. Or use the newer 8600GT, which has more memory and better overall multimedia abilities, but isn't as fast for gaming. And what about power, temps, and noise level. Either of these preform better in those?

What are your general thoughts?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

8600GT because of the memory and ability to accelerate DVDs. I think the 8600GT would consume less power as well...

 

[zerodeefex]

7900gt will perform better in games and also does the same PureVideo decoding of DVDs. the only addition the 8600gt would have is if you use your computer as an HTPC and need HD decoding in hardware.

 

[angry hampster]

Why not sell the cards and buy an 8800GT?

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Why not sell the cards and buy an 8800GT?

Either that of the cheaper 9600GT will blow both those cards out of the water.

Go for that strategy; the 8600's 512MB won't be fully utilized because the 8600 simply isn't powerful enough to utilize all of the available memory to translate into meaningful framerates, the 128-bit bus cripples the card.

 

[Synomenon]

Sell both and get an 8800GT or 9600GT. If you can't sell them, use the 7900GT. The other one is a GT right? Not GTS?

 

[AzN]

You are asking a lot with 7900gt and 8600gt on a 24" monitor. If you aren't gaming and need it for a server purposes you should keep the 8600gt.

IsLNdbOi has the right idea. Sell both and get a 8800gt or 9600gt.

 

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

8600GT and 7900GT won't fare too well on a 24",your best bet is to sell both and get a HD 3870 or 8800GT.