Nomad91 Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I was going to buy a budget video card, and I am stuck between a 8600GT and 9500GT. Which one is better? I heard they have almost identical performance, but I want to make sure. 9500GT: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...0226&CatId=3670 8600GT: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...4453&CatId=1826 I needed a card that works on a 300w PSU, and I am leaning towards the 9500GT because it is newer and is slightly faster. Any help is appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTA3Freak-2001 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 The 9500GT is actually faster, not by a huge amount but enough to make it a better choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 On paper the 9500GT is faster but to be honest if I were you in this scenario I would actually get the EVGA 8600GTS Superclocked (link to tigerdirect) which beats both in all regards and is actually cheaper. The only thing the 9500GT has over the 8600GTS is 512MB VRAM vs 256MB VRAM for the 8600GTS but to be perfectly honest there is no way the 9500GT could even utilize all 512MB of that VRAM and it's really just extra money wasted. The 8600GTS would beat it still by a good deal. More VRAM is NOT always better and also just because one is a 9-series also does NOT make it better. Don't believe me? Here's a comparison chart for proof: (click to enlarge) Okay first off look at how the memory bandwidth, FLOPS, pixel fill rate, texture fill rate are all better by a pretty good margin. Also note under "Framebuffer" AKA VRAM size that they both have "256" in bold. Okay what this means is that 256MB is the ideal VRAM size for the particular card and buying more RAM for the particular video card is pointless/redundant because the card just does not have enough memory bandwidth to utilize all VRAM sizes above the amount in bold. As for PSU requirements for the 8600GTS the power requirement is higher than the previous two you mentioned but I am 99% sure it will run fine on a 300W power supply. Just make sure you plug in the 6-pin PCI-e connector (a molex-to PCI-e converter is included with this card if needed.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzy Fozborne Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Definitely go with Syphon and get the 8600GTS. If is superior to the 9500 in every way. Also it's available Here for only $40! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTA3Freak-2001 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Well from snooping around most manufacturers list 350w being the minimum a 8600GTS will run on so I'd be careful there. Still even the 9500GT has 350w as minimum with the 8600GT at 300w. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Miker Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Definitely go with Syphon and get the 8600GTS. If is superior to the 9500 in every way. Also it's available Here for only $40! Looks to me like that's $80.... Still a good price though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Definitely go with Syphon and get the 8600GTS. If is superior to the 9500 in every way. Also it's available Here for only $40! Looks to me like that's $80.... Still a good price though. It's 40 after the 40 dollar mail in rebate. Don't know if that applies to people outside the United States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4milton Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 So, according to the >>Which is better<< the cycle goes like this:: 8600GT>>9500GT>>8600GTS ^^ if compared to ATI, there is also a similar card, Sapphire ATI 3650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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