8800GS or 9600GT

[hodgenutts]

Hello. I'm currently using a XFX XXX Edition 8600GT. I'm looking to upgrade and considering the new 8800GS and the new 9600GT. The 9600GT seems to run anywhere from 30 to 60 dollars more depending on which model you get, but not shure which one would be the better deal. I know the 9600GT has 512MB of ram and is 256 bit with 64 stream processors. The 8800GS has only 384 MB of ram and is 192 bit, but it has 96 stream processors. Any help in these matters would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[cdmccool]

There are a couple of 9600GTs on Newegg for $120 AR and shipping. If you can afford it, definitely get a 9600GT. The cheapest 8800GS I can find is $107 AR and shipping.

 

[hodgenutts]

Ok. Remember I'm trying to learn when I ask this, why would you get the 9600GT is becaus the of Ram or the bandwidth or both? Didn't know if the 8800 GS having more stream processors would make it better or not. Like I said please don't flame me too bad for asking as i'm just trying to learn. Thanks!

 

[cdmccool]

Oh, I have no idea. I just look at benchmarks. =)

 

[hodgenutts]

oh ok. I haven't really seen any at all for the 8800GS and only a very few for the 9600GT. I figured both had to be better than my 8600GT

 

[Jax Omen]

Both are far better than your 8600GT.

Generally, look at benchmarks for the 8800GTS 320MB and it'll be *mostly* comparable to the 8800GS.

the 9600GT will also be *mostly* comparable until you get to higher resolutions/AA settings/texture settings where the memory and memory bandwidth is a significant issue. Then it will stomp the 8800GS.

 

[cdmccool]

The 8800GS is a very solid card at lower resolutions, but the 9600GT is just a better card overall.

Edit: I've been looking at these two cards as well, and I'm leaning towards the 8800GS simply because I can't pony up the $150-160 for a 9600GT before the rebate.

I'm using a 7300LE atm, and I want to play AoC when it comes out in a couple of weeks.

 

[happy medium]

The 8800gs will be the better overclocker,cheaper, has more shaders, and performs about the same as the 9600gt until you use aa/af at resolutions above 1600x1200.

The only real con for the 8800gs is it runs a little warmer.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: hodgenutts
oh ok. I haven't really seen any at all for the 8800GS and only a very few for the 9600GT. I figured both had to be better than my 8600GT

Here are three 8800GS reviews.

Legion Hardware

Tweak Town

Driver Heaven

 

[hodgenutts]

I guess it boils down to which is the bigger issue and more important, the stream processors, or the memory and it's bandwidth

 

[Lithan]

Extremely simplified because this subject has been beaten to death and there's literally 20+ reviews of the 9600gt and 10+ with the 8800gs if you google them.
AA off <16x reso, they're effectively the same. The only real differences occur at such high fps (60+) that it is irrelevant. AA on the 8800gs gets absolutely demolished. 16x+ reso's the 9600gt wins by an average of 5-10%.

 

[hodgenutts]

So which one would you go with?

 

[angry hampster]

If you haven't already purchased one, I would get the GS. There's a review floating around somewhere showing its overclocking potential. It was VERY impressive, and put it in the league of the 8800GT easily.

 

[AzN]

Currently they are comparable. 8800gs wins some and 9600gt wins some. Usually 9600gt does win with AA particularly anything above 1600x1200 resolution.

8800gs will take the lead over 9600gt in the future because it has more SP as more games raise up shader count. 9600gt has the bandwidth and extra memory for higher resolutions with AA.

If you are on a 19" monitor you should go for a 8800gs since you don't really need to turn up the resolution. If you are running something bigger you should go with a 9600gt. Both cards are twice as fast a 8600gt if not more.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
If you haven't already purchased one, I would get the GS. There's a review floating around somewhere showing its overclocking potential. It was VERY impressive, and put it in the league of the 8800GT easily.

Like my review. It easily hangs with a 8800gt.

 

[myocardia]

Here's a review that compares the two.

 

[hodgenutts]

Ok, I'm currently using a "22" Monitor prob should have posted that earlier, sorry

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: Azn
8800gs will take the lead over 9600gt in the future because it has more SP as more games raise up shader count.

I think it will fall farther back from the 9600gt in the future because of its low amount of memory. Full vram on g80 = framerate death :Q

 

[OmegaShadow]

I'm quite happy with my 8800gs currently. There isn't that much of a difference between a 8800gs and 9600gt so I would be happy with either card.

I think that you should just go with the cheaper 8800gs.

 

[Lithan]

Assuming your 22" is 1680x1050, then decide, is AA worth the extra money for you?

@ that res 8800gs vs 9600gt in most games is just a matter of deciding if you want AA. Above that res, go with the 9600 definately.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: schneiderguy

Originally posted by: Azn
8800gs will take the lead over 9600gt in the future because it has more SP as more games raise up shader count.

I think it will fall farther back from the 9600gt in the future because of its low amount of memory. Full vram on g80 = framerate death :Q

I think it will take the lead in lower resolutions like 1280x1024. Anything above that I think it will do worse though as memory requirements stiffen up.

 

[Munky]

9600gt, end of story. If you use AA often, you run the risk of becoming limited by available memory BW and size on the 8800gs. Both cards can be overclocked for higher performance, but once you hit the memory limit, your performance tanks and no amount of overclocking can overcome that deficit.

 

[Face2Face]

I agree with munky the 9600gt is a better card! But why not spend a little more and go with the 8800gt?

 

[imported_OrSin]

I have a 24inch monitor. Would the 8800gt 256 be better then the 9600gt. I plan on playing at max resolution of 1900x1200.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: OrSin
I have a 24inch monitor. Would the 8800gt 256 be better then the 9600gt. I plan on playing at max resolution of 1900x1200.

Definitely not. Take a look at some benches here. The 9600gt is not far behind the 8800gt in most cases, but once the 256mb 8800gt hits the memory limit in certain games, the performance tanks, and at 1920x1200 you'd suffer even more from insufficient video mem than what's shown in those benches.