1366x768 and 1680, 8800GS vs. 3850 vs. 3870 vs. 9600GT

[Essenar]

Cheap as possible. That's the important thing. I know many of you will rush to say 9600GT or 3870, but consider the prices:

This is a temporary upgrade as I have other monetary issues I need to take care of.

I decided you guys are right about needing something worthwhile. I talked to my friend and he convinced me, I should wait.

My 7600 has no trouble playing CSS and with how competitive things are, the 4850 is going to come down at the end of summer.

He told me to wait and as soon as the 4850 touches $150 or less before rebates, to bite. I'll just set the money aside and wait.

After my experience with running out of money from ignorant eating out habits, it'd be a good idea to have some money set aside anyway.

[IWasHungry]

8800GT 256MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125089)
While it only has 256MB of RAM it will do better than anything else at that price point. If you're lucky you might be able to find a 8800GT 512MB for $130 or so.

[WorshipMe]

If you play with AA, then the 9600GT will surpass the HD 3870, if you do not play with AA, then the HD 3870 is the best buy.

The 8800GS has 96 streams compared to the GT's 64, but it may be slightly limited by it's lower bandwidth.

[funnyperson1]

8800GT 256MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125089)
While it only has 256MB of RAM it will do better than anything else at that price point. If you're lucky you might be able to find a 8800GT 512MB for $130 or so.

This would be my choice, at that resolution 256mb should be fine.

[Essenar]

Actually, I'm not sure if you guys saw, but for those resolutions the 8800GT 256 actually performs worse than any of the choices I gave. At even 1280x1024 the 8800GS 384 and 9600GT 512 best it.

[IWasHungry]

I somewhat doubt the 8800GS would beat it but the 9600GT does. The 9600GT costs $20 more at cost, or $40 more after rebates. Given the price point you're looking at is so low, you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

[Essenar]

EDIT: Revised in first post.

[MooMasster716]

9600GT > 9600GSO(possible unlock)/8800GS

[WorshipMe]

The 8800GS/9600GS0 is bandwidth limited and performs worse than the 9600 GT. The HD 3870 is faster than the 9600GT with AA disabled. The 9600 is faster with AA enabled. So it depends on whether you play with AA or not.

[Colton H]

3850 or 9600GSO.

Might I ask what games do you currently play?

[MooMasster716]

The HD 3870 is faster than the 9600GT with AA disabled. The 9600 is faster with AA enabled.

While the HD3870 might be faster with no AA it might not matter because if your past 60fps your probably not gonna notice and at the same time if there is AA enabled but your getting less than say 30fps then why bother.

So it all comes down to what Colton asks.
3850 or 9600GSO.

Might I ask what games do you currently play?

[Rich'[ard]]

for 30 dollars more, of course get the 9600GT or HD 3870.
you will regret saving those 30 dollars on a 3850.
as many ppl have said, the performance of the 9600GT and 3870 are similar, but they perform better in different aspects.
just get whichever company you like more; nVidia or ATi.
also, 3870 has dual slot cooler, so you can have less worries with heat if you overclock it.

[hooflung]

I have a pair of 8800GS in SLI but before I got the second card for basically free from newegg it was fine. I have the SuperClocked edition from EVGA. I have a 512 3850 in my other PC. They work about the same up to 1680 with no AA. The 3850 did slightly better AA at 1680. The SLI setup surpasses it for AA though.

I don't think you'll be disapointed at the 8800GS or a 3870. The 9600 series performed better than the 8800GS but noone has done reviews since the 8800GS got the new 9 series driver support. Before, the 8 series was on 8 drivers and 9 series had 'optimized' 9-only drivers.

[Essenar]

Counter Strike Source, Call of Duty 4, Bioshock probably, Unreal Tournament 3

I wanna pick up Age of Conan when it gets better. I'll probably pick up newer games as they come out, but games like Crysis don't appeal to me. I wanna game, not play a tech demo.

[White_Pawn]

if you can find an unlockable 9600GSO, that is by far the most powerful card that you listed. Otherwise, i'd go with the 9600GT.

[moocow]

Counter Strike Source, Call of Duty 4, Bioshock probably, Unreal Tournament 3

I wanna pick up Age of Conan when it gets better. I'll probably pick up newer games as they come out, but games like Crysis don't appeal to me. I wanna game, not play a tech demo.

Well, I have a system similar to yours. I have a 3870 and get from 91-115fps on COD4@ max detail on 1600x1050 resolution and around 70-80fps at Bioshock on the max details for DX9.

[Essenar]

EDIT: Revised in first post.

[funnyperson1]

For the games you listed, a 3870 will do just fine at 1680x1050. I would go for the one thats $130 with a $30 rebate.