8800 GTS, 3870 HD, or 9600 GT?

[kyzen]

Ordering some parts for a friend and myself, and to ensure they arrive here before he has to leave for a couple of months, we have to order this morning.

Currently trying to decide on the best option between the following:

320MB 8800 GTS (eVGA) - $115
512MB 9600 GT (XFX) - $130
512MB 3870 HD (Sapphire) - $165

Which one is the better option here? Any input?

Thanks in advance

*Edit to fix stupid spelling. I'm not used to being awake this early...

 

[Shortass]

The 9600 GT performs slightly lower than the 8800 GT (10ish %) but has drastically reduced power requirements. It should outperform the cheaper 8800 GTS and will crush the 3870 in terms of heat and power... and performs better overall if I'm not mistaken. Seems like a fairly easy choice to me.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Originally posted by: Shortass
The 9600 GT performs slightly lower than the 8800 GT (10ish %) but has drastically reduced power requirements. It should outperform the cheaper 8800 GTS and will crush the 3870 in terms of heat and power... and performs better overall if I'm not mistaken. Seems like a fairly easy choice to me.

I concur.

 

[Shortass]

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3235&p=2
Looks like the 9600 GT performs about the same, with an occasional fluke that puts it way ahead, for cheaper and cooler.

 

[Trey22]

Being that the 9600GT and 3870HD basically offer the same performance (from benchies I've seen), 9600GT at $130 seems to be your best bet.

9600GT also has a definite edge over the 8800GTS 320MB.

 

[sgrinavi]

It depends on what you are doing with it. The ATI option is better (faster) for CAD type apps and, seems to , have a slightly better picture. If you are just playing games then go for the cheaper option.

Also, the ATI card clocks like a mother-father, way better than my 8800GT does.

 

[kyzen]

Thanks for the input thus far. Leaning towards the cheaper 9600 GT at this point.

We're likely both just going to be playing games, mostly just RTS's, a couple of shooters here and there, but we mostly play those on consoles.

The RTS of choice at the moment is Sins of a Solar Empire, which is destroying his old x700 Pro at 1280x1024, and taxxing my 7900 GS at 1920x1200.

 

[Jax Omen]

Where are you finding an 8800GTS 320 for $115?

I could use a second one for SLI >_>

 

[kyzen]

Originally posted by: Jax Omen
Where are you finding an 8800GTS 320 for $115?

I could use a second one for SLI >_>

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130082

 

[Jax Omen]

that is so tempting... gotta talk to mah girlfriend first though.

 

[kyzen]

Good luck. The rebate almost ruins the deal, but still far from bad. A few guys around the office actually ordered some when I was asking their opinions on video cards.

 

[Jax Omen]

yeah, I really don't like rebates. I'll probably wait until our budget is more finalized, then maybe get a low interest loan and get a nice monitor and a pair of G92s for SLI. And a quadcore and a 780i and tons of RAM

Oh, and back on topic, definitely get the 9600GT. Best bang for the buck out of those three by a huge margin