XFX 7600 GS to XFX 8600 GT

[LoungeAct404]

The XFX 7600 GS is a really, really weak card, in my opinion. I used to have an eVGA 7800 GT and I was able to run things like Quake 4 and WarCraft 3 on most settings without any problems, and now that I have an XFX 7600 GS, Quake 4 isn't even possible (way too slow) and if I have any kind of eye candy stuff going on in WarCraft 3, I get random FPS drops and skips.

I'm looking at buying an XFX 8600 GT from NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814150229) and I'm wondering if I'd be able to play Quake 4 and WC3 without any problems.

My comp specs are as follows:

AMD 3700 San Diego
eVGA MoBo that came bundled with old 7800 GT
2 GB Corsair RAM
120 GB Hard Drive (can't remember brand)

Also, how much power/what kind of power supply would I need to fuel the XFX 8600 GT? Would my current rig work? Right now I have an Antec Sonata II and I think the Power Supply is 400 watts.

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

 

[AzN]

You wouldn't need a new power supply for a 8600gt. It's a decent upgrade for modern games but 8600gt is still slow unless you want to play lower resolutions. Maybe you should put up more money and go for a 9600gt or 8800gs instead?

8600gt should perform slightly under 7800gt. 7600gs is far worse.

You also need a cpu upgrade to a dual core which would benefit on any of the newer games out.

Your sonata 2 comes with a 450watt power supply and should be good. Even a 8800gt or whatever.

 

[Piuc2020]

Well, if you don't mind spending just a bit more you could get a 9600GT or 8800GS for a little over $100AR ($109 for a EVGA 8800GS, $139 no rebate or $119 for a Palit 9600GT, $149 no rebate), sure they are a little over your budget but you get nearly 5x the performance for 1.6x the money. You don't need the performance for those games but you never know what you might like to play in the future (say Starcraft II maybe) and at such a good value for the 8800GS and 9600GT cards I really don't see the 8600GT being a good buy.

To answer your questions, the 8600GT will be perfect for Quake 4 and Warcraft III (though you haven't specified your resolution) and your PSU should be more than sufficient to power the card considering it can get all the power it needs from the PCI-E slot (at least some of the 8600GT cards you linked to don't have power connector).

 

[AzN]

I have the same power supply going strong for 2 years.

 

[bryanW1995]

7600gs to 8600 gt is a waste of money. 8600gt is about = 7600gt in most situations. if you can sell your 7600gs for some decent money then it could be worth it in certain situations, but you'll probably be much better off in the long run going for the 8800gs.

 

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

8600GT should perform around the level of the 7800GT in those games,which is still a good jump over the 7600GS,and the 8600GT isn't a power-hungry card,it can easily run on a 300W PSU with 18A on the 12V rail,just make sure your PSU isn't a cheapy $20 one.

 

[Denithor]

8800GS or 9600GT

Spend 1.5-2x the money and get 4-5x the performance. End of discussion.