Price vs. Performance

[Ilmater]

I know that the most expensive cards perform better than the cheapest cards, but I would like to know which in this list have the best performance for the price:

PNY 8600GT-OC (576 MHz vs. 540 MHz) 512MB GDDR3 - $130

EVGA 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3 - $120

EVGA 8600GT (540 MHz) 512MB GDDR3 - $120

BFG 8600GT-OC (620 MHz vs. 540 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $112

BFG 8600GT-OC (565 MHz vs. 540 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $110

XFX 8600GT (680 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $100

XFX 8600GT XXX (620 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $100

MSI 8600GT OC (560 MHz) 512MB GDDR3 - $99

XFX 8600GT XXX (620 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $92

PNY 8600GT (540 MHz) 256MB GDDR3 - $90

Let me just say that I know this is maybe ridiculous to ask, but every single one of those is a little bit different, and I have no idea which is best. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Syntax Error]

Disregard any DDR2 variants (512MB) and look at the GDDR3 variants of the card, they perform slightly better and have higher memory clocks.

I'd say the XFX 8600GT XXX 256MB GDDR3 with the Zalman cooler for $100 is the most evenly priced for the value, though I bet te PNY version with the lower clock could be OC'd to XXX speeds easily enough...

 

[hans007]

since all the non overclocked ones can probably o/c to the same level as all the overclocked ones (i'm pretty much guarantee you this)

the best performance values are going to be the $120 8600gts, or the $90 8600gt by pny. I suppose the pny has a far worse warranty than evga though, so you'd probably want to get an xfx for $2 more since it has the lifetime thing and its already pre o/c to 620mhz. so yeah $92 xfx , or the $120 evga 8600gts.


also just cross all the 512mb ones off the list, since that is a waste of money and not really useful for this class of card.

 

[happy medium]

If your thinking about buying one of them cards, don't. The 2900gt is on sale at newegg and will smoke them cards. Only 120.00$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102712

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: happy medium
If your thinking about buying one of them cards, don't. The 2900gt is on sale at newegg and will smoke them cards. Only 120.00$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102712

Hawt.

Considering how horribly the 8600GT/GTS gets raped in newer titles, that 2900 Pro is a FAR better option.

 

[tvdang7]

actually the 8600/2600 series do very well in newer games. just not at high res's

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: tvdang7
actually the 8600/2600 series do very well in newer games. just not at high res's

lol