Video card experts, is $130 for a "EVGA 256 mb 8600 GTS card" a good deal?

[Semtex]

I know its cheaper than usual how would it be rated if 1 out of 10(terrible deal to an amazing deal).

link to card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130086

I'm not good with the "hierarchy" of video cards and I want to know where it places on this chart. Will rep for help.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/page7.html

[user4544]

yes thats a really good price. Id go for it. Nvidia makes the best

[ign_fan_4life]

What about the new 9 series?

[UNCnate]

I just put that card in my friends desktop that we built.

Its pretty awesome, its not the best - but it plays everything on high that weve thrown at it.

[Semtex]

Also, would it be able to handle the new unreal tourny? I know it wouldnt be able to run on the BEST settings but as long as I can play the game with a constant fps and not too much lag it will be fine.

Here are the "rumored" requirements for it.

Minimum Requirements
CPU: 2.8Ghz
RAM: 512MB
Graphics: Geforce 6 series

Recommended System
CPU: 3-4Ghz
RAM: 1024MB
Graphics: NVIDIA 6800GT/Ultra or 7800GT/GTX SLI

[darkshines]

I got an 8600M GT in my laptop. Kicks ass. F.E.A.R & STALKER on max settings. C&C 3 too.

[darkshines]

Originally Posted by CsNUT

Also, would it be able to handle the new unreal tourny? I know it wouldnt be able to run on the BEST settings but as long as I can play the game with a constant fps and not too much lag it will be fine.

Here are the "rumored" requirements for it.

Minimum Requirements
CPU: 2.8Ghz
RAM: 512MB
Graphics: Geforce 6 series

Recommended System
CPU: 3-4Ghz
RAM: 1024MB
Graphics: NVIDIA 6800GT/Ultra or 7800GT/GTX SLI

I've always wondered about the processor speed thing. I have an Intel core 2 duo 2.00 ghz. What does that mean? Is it really 4.0 ghz b/c it's dual core? Explain plz!

[backinbusiness]

Are you interested in DX10? If so, yes. If you just want the most FPS, then get a 7900GS. It will be alot more powerful than the 8600GTS

[Sublime25]

you cannot compare a dual processor to a solo one. It's not the same thing

[mstenn]

Originally Posted by darkshines

I've always wondered about the processor speed thing. I have an Intel core 2 duo 2.00 ghz. What does that mean? Is it really 4.0 ghz b/c it's dual core? Explain plz!

Yeah basically... but its actually alot better than that due to clever stuff like level2 cache'n'****.

[backinbusiness]

You cannot compare single vs dual core in terms of 2x2GHz = 4GHz. THey are two independantly ran cores, so the workload is distributed evenly if the application is threaded correctly.

[Sublime25]

Originally Posted by Sublime25

you cannot compare a dual processor to a solo one. It's not the same thing

Originally Posted by backinbusiness

You cannot compare single vs dual core in terms of 2x2GHz = 4GHz. THey are two independantly ran cores, so the workload is distributed evenly if the application is threaded correctly.

lol we just said the same thing

[tnecniv]

8800 Gtx > 8800 Gts > 7950gt >= 7900 Gs > 8600

[ign_fan_4life]

Originally Posted by darkshines

I got an 8600M GT in my laptop. Kicks ass. F.E.A.R & STALKER on max settings. C&C 3 too.

What kind of laptop do you have? Is it possible to upgrade the video card, because mine sux. It's one step above integrated...

[darkshines]

Originally Posted by backinbusiness

You cannot compare single vs dual core in terms of 2x2GHz = 4GHz. THey are two independantly ran cores, so the workload is distributed evenly if the application is threaded correctly.

Ok, but is there some kind of equivalent thing going on? I've noticed system requirements for software doesn't list anything regarding to dual-core processors, so how can I know if my processor can run something when it only specifies the requirements for a single-core processor.

Also, I have 4mb of L2 cache, is that good or bad?

[Semtex]

Originally Posted by backinbusiness

Are you interested in DX10? If so, yes. If you just want the most FPS, then get a 7900GS. It will be alot more powerful than the 8600GTS

What exactly is DX10 technology? I'm aware that its basically next gen gaming requirements but why is a 7900GS so highly regarded as the best mid range gaming card? From what I understand 7900GS runs modern games pretty well, but is inferior if you plan on playing next gen games.

[backinbusiness]

Originally Posted by darkshines

Ok, but is there some kind of equivalent thing going on? I've noticed system requirements for software doesn't list anything regarding to dual-core processors, so how can I know if my processor can run something when it only specifies the requirements for a single-core processor.

Also, I have 4mb of L2 cache, is that good or bad?

Let me simplify it for you. ANY core 2 duo or X2 processor will be fine.
More L2 cache, the better for gaming FPS. 4MB L2 is good.

Originally Posted by CsNUT

What exactly is DX10 technology? I'm aware that its basically next gen gaming requirements but why is a 7900GS so highly regarded as the best mid range gaming card? From what I understand 7900GS runs modern games pretty well, but is inferior if you plan on playing next gen games.

It is not inferior. Right now I am running Bioshock with max settings @ 1440x900 totally smooth. It is THE BEST Midrange card available. The reason why people bag on it is because it does not have DX10: The extra eye candy for next-gen games to make them just LOOK better. The card is still a very powerful one for mid range and if you don't care too much about a little extra features

Here is examples:
^ DX 9


DX10 ^

But you are going to have to PAY more for DX10 if you want better performance than the 7900GS (there is no equivalent, its either lower (8600) or higher (8800)

[Sublime25]

Originally Posted by darkshines

Ok, but is there some kind of equivalent thing going on? I've noticed system requirements for software doesn't list anything regarding to dual-core processors, so how can I know if my processor can run something when it only specifies the requirements for a single-core processor.

Also, I have 4mb of L2 cache, is that good or bad?

I think you will get all your questions answered on a proper hardware site such as tomshardware or whatever.

[darkshines]

Originally Posted by ign_fan_4life

What kind of laptop do you have? Is it possible to upgrade the video card, because mine sux. It's one step above integrated...

It is possible I hear, but most likely difficult. I know Alienware touts that their laptop video cards are upgradeable, but if you think about it, any dedicated component is upgradeable with the right skill and knowledge. I don't know if I could take it to a computer store and get it done or what, b/c I would like to upgrade my card in about a year to run Crysis at max.

[darkshines]

Originally Posted by backinbusiness

Let me simplify it for you. ANY core 2 duo or X2 processor will be fine.
More L2 cache, the better for gaming FPS. 4MB L2 is good.

Ok. I'm tempted to ask for a more detailed explanation, but I won't bother you.

Originally Posted by Sublime25

I think you will get all your questions answered on a proper hardware site such as tomshardware or whatever.

I'm quite certain I could, but I prefer to ask the misc. It's usually pretty reliable and I've never asked a question here that wasn't answered by a miscer. You're a useful group all of you are.

[shiv15]

Originally Posted by darkshines

It is possible I hear, but most likely difficult. I know Alienware touts that their laptop video cards are upgradeable, but if you think about it, any dedicated component is upgradeable with the right skill and knowledge. I don't know if I could take it to a computer store and get it done or what, b/c I would like to upgrade my card in about a year to run Crysis at max.

lol ya but if you buy a alienware laptop right now they are pretty beast to begin with and won't need much upgrading. I'd actually like to know too. My dell only has integrated and it'd be nice to have a little something to play a few rts games on

[mstenn]

Check this out ... gaming benchmarks for cpu's
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/...07/page14.html.

You will have to cross refrence to see the exact cpu speed etc

[Semtex]

Originally Posted by backinbusiness

Let me simplify it for you. ANY core 2 duo or X2 processor will be fine.
More L2 cache, the better for gaming FPS. 4MB L2 is good.



It is not inferior. Right now I am running Bioshock with max settings @ 1440x900 totally smooth. It is THE BEST Midrange card available. The reason why people bag on it is because it does not have DX10: The extra eye candy for next-gen games to make them just LOOK better. The card is still a very powerful one for mid range and if you don't care too much about a little extra features

Here is examples:
^ DX 9


DX10 ^

But you are going to have to PAY more for DX10 if you want better performance than the 7900GS (there is no equivalent, its either lower (8600) or higher (8800)

Oh, so for the best performance 7900GS owns the market unless I want to spend a LOT more money? Awesome explanation, reps for the help. I don't give a **** how it looks, as long as I get the best performance.

edit: gotta recharge first

[agh2415]

Originally Posted by darkshines

It is possible I hear, but most likely difficult. I know Alienware touts that their laptop video cards are upgradeable, but if you think about it, any dedicated component is upgradeable with the right skill and knowledge. I don't know if I could take it to a computer store and get it done or what, b/c I would like to upgrade my card in about a year to run Crysis at max.

only like 2% of laptops are upgradeable. They have to MXM technology or something like that, and you would probably if you had it

[darkshines]

Originally Posted by agh2415

only like 2% of laptops are upgradeable. They have to MXM technology or something like that, and you would probably if you had it

You're right. They either have to have MXM, or AXIOM technology, as those are the only two formats in which the GFX card isn't attached to the motherboard. However, included in those 2% is most Dell laptops!!

Originally Posted by Notebookreview

From time to time I've noticed some people asking if they can replace the video cards in their Dell laptops.

The answer is...in many of Dell's laptops, you can change the video card. However, THIS IS NOT SANCTIONED BY DELL AND WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY IF YOUR COMPUTER FAILS. So replace at your own risk.

The only laptop currently that offers sanctioned upgrades is the XPS. However, say you bought a 5150 with a 32 MB Video card. You can purchase the 64 MB Card offered for that system from Dell's spare parts. You can only replace a video card that was specifically made for that system. For instance, you can upgrade (on your own) a 64 MB Geforce FX 5200 to an ATI 9600 128 MB in the Inspiron 8600, because both of these video cards are produced for the 8600. However, you cannot replace a 64 MB Geforce FX 5200 with an ATI 9600 in an Inspiron 5150 because the ATI 9600 form factor is not compatible with the 5150.

Bottom line, AT YOUR OWN RISK, you can replace a video card in most newer Dell systems with video cards specifically made for that system. BUT THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Unless of course you have an XPS, and when the newest video card comes out, Dell will replace that for you.

Instructions on how to replace video cards are found on Dell's website.

That's with a Dell. We're going for a general and accurate statement. 99% of notebooks cannot be upgraded. The other 1% are the Dells and MXM/AXIOM notebooks.

[coke]

I have a 7900gs in my laptop. Mainly play bf2142, and it handles it fine except get lag every now and then in titan mode.

I figure it will last a couple more years. By then, dx10 cards will be decently priced.

[TonyS.]

You guys played rainbow six vegas? Just wondering. What cpu's are you running? I just burned up a 4000+ Athlon, and put in a athlon 64 X2 4200+, being its still socket 939.