Help choosing graphics card

[Eddd]

Hey all, I've got a choice of 3 graphics cards:
1. 1GB Gainward 9600GT Golden Sample, PCI-E 2.0, 2000+MHz GDDR3, GPU 700+MHz, Streams 64, HDMI/DP/DVI-I (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK) - £131.35
2. 512MB Gainward 8800GTS, Bliss, PCI-E 2.0, Mem 1940MHz, GDDR3, GPU 650MHz, Streams 128, 2x DL DVI-I (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK) - £151.56
3. 512MB XFX 9600GT, XXX, PCI-E 2.0, Mem 2000MHz, GDDR3, GPU 700MHz, Stream 64, 2x DL DVI-I/HDMI (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK) - £114.88

I really don't know which one to choose. is 9600GT better than 8800GTS? The 8800GTS is a bit too expensive for me, I'd ideally want to spend around £125 (or less) on the graphics card. Does anybody have any opinions on the cards above or know of a better one?

Btw, by motherboard is Abit IP-35, Dark Raider, iP35 Express, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX

[kalniel]

2 is best by a country mile, others aren't even close. But that's why you pay more for it.

[Eddd]

Is 9600GT better than 8800GTS?
The 1st one looks better to me. Is it mainly down to the streaming that the 2nd one is better?

[Mithrandir]

No, the 8800gts is much better than the 9600gt.

[Flewis]

The 8800GTS is so much better than the 9600GT. The amount of ram makes next to no difference. The difference is in the cores, the 9600 is effectively a stripped down 8800GTS. I would go for the 8800GTS if you can afford it or an 8800GT which also outperforms the 9600GT. You can get a PNY 8800GT for less than £110 now.

[chopppy]

dont bother buying any graphics cards till june / july when the next round of the new architecture cards is released. the 4850 / 4870 gddr5 will rinse themn cards you listed there for possibly a similar price. but only time will tell

[Eddd]

Will the cables and inputs from the 512MB Gainward 8800GTS, Bliss, PCI-E 2.0, Mem 1940MHz, GDDR3, GPU 650MHz, Streams 128, 2x DL DVI-I fit with the 20" Samsung SM-2032BW Black Widescreen LCD, 1680x1050, 3000:1, 300 cd/m2, 2 ms (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK). Because the monitor doesn't say that it has a DVI-I input.

[Flewis]

It has DVI-D, it will be fine.

[Eddd]

Thankyou. Just one more question: will this monitor be compatible with the 8800GTS Bliss Graphics card: 19" LG W1952TQ Black Widescreen LCD, 1440x900, DFC 10,000:1, 300 cd/m², 2 ms, D-Sub (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK)

[stavr0s2k3]

8800GTS

will save you a bit on power aswell as it requires one power connector rather than 2 on the 9 series cards

[Mithrandir]

Yes, all modern graphic cards are compatible with the mentioned monitors.

you can get D-sub to DVI adapters and some graphics card even have these within the package.

If your budget is under £125 then I would recommend the 8800gt OR you could get the 8800gs. Its a little slower than the 9600gt and 8800gt but its also cheaper at £75-£80. I believe its around 75% of the performance of an 8800gt.

If you're brave enough you could even overclock it and I hear these get to 8800gt speeds.

In fact, I've forgotten there's also the 38xx series from ATI.

The 3850 512mb version and also 3870 are very good cards.

[Flewis]

8800GTS

will save you a bit on power aswell as it requires one power connector rather than 2 on the 9 series cards

This isnt true, the 8800GTS will just draw more power from a single connector than the 9600 does (which is a single connector too). Make sure your psu is up to the job (should be fine if it is a decent brand).

The graphics card will be compatible with all DVI monitors (card wont come with DVI cable tho) and vga (D-sub) via a dongle which comes with the card

[Mithrandir]

Make sure your psu is up to the job (should be fine if it is a decent brand).

I second this!

[Eddd]

The psu you I was going to buy is the 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V, whisper quiet, 5 year warranty.

[stavr0s2k3]

This isnt true, the 8800GTS will just draw more power from a single connector than the 9600 does (which is a single connector too). Make sure your psu is up to the job (should be fine if it is a decent brand).

The graphics card will be compatible with all DVI monitors (card wont come with DVI cable tho) and vga (D-sub) via a dongle which comes with the card

This is a paste from a well known website....


The BFG 8800 GTS OC is based on the Nvidia G92 GPU, rather than the aging G80 chip. The giveaway is the 512MB of GDDR3 RAM, as the old G80-based GTS cards have 320MB or 640MB. This means that the 8800 GTS OC supports PCI-E 2.0 and uses 65nm transistors for greater power efficiency.

[Flewis]

But the 9600GT isnt a G80 core (Its G94) and is less powerful than the 8800GTS and uses less power. Remember were looking at the 9600GT not the 9800GTX.

Bjorn3d.com -XFX 9800GTX 512MB, Satisfying Your Daily Tech Cravings Since 1996

Please dont argue when your incorrect.