8800GT or 9600GT...

[carb0n]

Alright, I'm in a tough spot here.

First of all, I have a budget of at least $480. I would very much like to try out SLI since I have a 680i board and I've never tried SLI in my life and it'd be awesome. I have an older 8800GTS 320mb. I was looking at the 8800GT and the 9600GT. They look like good competitors, but the thing is, the 8800GT outperforms the 9600GT, but it is a lot more money. And besides, the performance difference is by a small margin (or is it?). Also, this will be the last GPU upgrade for a while... and if I got two 9600GT's, I could have some money left over for another PSU, maybe. Or some more RAM. That type of cool stuff. But I'm losing performance.
I really need feedback here. I want to purchase some cards soon!


Btw, here's the cards I want to buy, between the 9600GT and the 8800GT
Plus, the 9600GT's have a special saving if I buy two!

9600GT and 8800GT

 

[Xris]

after the rebates, the 8800GT is only $30 more. You're not going to find a single PSU or stick of RAM that's worth putting in your machine for $30. Get the 8800GT.

 

[carb0n]

after the rebates, the 8800GT is only $30 more. You're not going to find a single PSU or stick of RAM that's worth putting in your machine for $30. Get the 8800GT.

I was referring specifically to how much I would have left over with two 9600GTs, not the 8800GT's. I could actually add 2 more gigs of my current ram, which is this.

 

[VinnyTAMU]

I was referring specifically to how much I would have left over with two 9600GTs, not the 8800GT's. I could actually add 2 more gigs of my current ram, which is this.

If I were you I would run 9600GTs in SLI and take the money saved from not buying 8800GTs and upgrade to 4GB of ram.

 

[Diddyu]

I say get an 8800 gts (g92) and then youll have ~250 left to spend as you please.

 

[PhysX]

8800gt ftw

 

[Satsumomo]

I say get an 8800 gts (g92) and then youll have ~250 left to spend as you please.

I second this.

Yes, SLI looks real cool and gives you some sort of bragging rights ("I've got twoooooo") but in the end I think it's too big of a hassle for not that great of a performance gain. Until I see real good SLI support, from both drivers and games, I won't consider going SLI.

 

[Jayws]

I decided to go with the 9600GT in my new rig. I got it on rebate at the egg for around $140 I think. I've seen some benchmark comparisons and the 8800GT does rank higher but not by much. It's a pretty close call. Personally, I have no problem with a single 9600GT in my rig. It plays Bioshock, CoD4, Crysis (suprisingly well), FEAR, etc.

 

[VinnyTAMU]

I say get an 8800 gts (g92) and then youll have ~250 left to spend as you please.

I am pretty sure he currently has a 8800GTS G92, although his sig does not specify which model of 8800GTS he has. So I am thinking he is looking for performance in between a 9800GX2 and a 8800GTS G92, In which case I think two 9600GTs and 4GB of ram is a smart move.

 

[jason4207]

I am pretty sure he currently has a 8800GTS G92, although his sig does not specify which model of 8800GTS he has. So I am thinking he is looking for performance in between a 9800GX2 and a 8800GTS G92, In which case I think two 9600GTs and 4GB of ram is a smart move.

Nope he has the older 320MB GTS which I assume he's going to sell.

Alright, I'm in a tough spot here.

First of all, I have a budget of at least $480. I would very much like to try out SLI since I have a 680i board and I've never tried SLI in my life and it'd be awesome. I have an older 8800GTS 320mb. I was looking at the 8800GT and the 9600GT. They look like good competitors, but the thing is, the 8800GT outperforms the 9600GT, but it is a lot more money. And besides, the performance difference is by a small margin (or is it?). Also, this will be the last GPU upgrade for a while... and if I got two 9600GT's, I could have some money left over for another PSU, maybe. Or some more RAM. That type of cool stuff. But I'm losing performance.
I really need feedback here. I want to purchase some cards soon!


Btw, here's the cards I want to buy, between the 9600GT and the 8800GT
Plus, the 9600GT's have a special saving if I buy two!

9600GT and 8800GT

It's a tough call either way. Look in the Cyber Deals section before you make a decision, though. I think there are some 8800GT's going for very cheap right now AR.

 

[VinnyTAMU]

Nope he has the older 320MB GTS which I assume he's going to sell.

Wow! I rode the short bus to the forums today!

 

[carb0n]

Heh. No kidding, this is a crazy decision to make! I also have a 500w ultra PSU that I have used for 4 years so far (and still running great, even with my sig rig) but I am concerned that it might not be enough. And if I got the 9600GT sli, or maybe a single 8800GTS, I could have enough for a new psu.

I was also wondering whether there is a big performance difference between a 8800GTS G92 and either x2 8800GT's or 9600GT's

EDIT: It seems that after having a discussion with my friend about power rails and PSU's generally, it looks like I should just buy 9600GT's or maybe a 8800GTS G92 so I have enough money for a new PSU. Any thoughts?

 

[jason4207]

I normally don't recommend shooting for SLI at a later date, but since you already have the MoBo...I'd just get (1) 8800GTS-512 (G92), and a PSU and/or RAM for now. Save up and get another GTS-512 in a couple months.

 

[LilBuddy]

Newegg has a PNY 9600GT for $124.99 AR right now.