Geforce: 8600 vs 7900

[cjh6386]

I am in the market for a sub-$200 video card to put into a machine I'm using, and I've come to a crossroad. For the same price I can pick up either a geforce 7900/7950, or an 8600gts. While I am certainly interested in the 8 series' newer features and technologies, I can't help but think about the 128 bit memory bus that the 8600 sports vs. the 256 bit bus that the 7900 series has. Also, I have read that DX10 is not impressing everyone with its features. So, while I was initially focused on the 8600gts, I'm now having second thoughts - would it be wise to go with a 7900 or 7950 instead? I'm talking about real world performance here.

Opinions, thoughts? Other recommendations?

[GTwannabe]

The mid-range Geforce 8 cards are only worth it if you are building an HTPC. They have similar performance to a Geforce 7600GT. The 7900 will blow them out of the water in terms of performance. I would wait for 2nd gen DX10 cards (DX 10.1) before going DX10.

You should also consider the Radeon x1950XT... Newegg has a Sapphire model for ~$140 after rebate. Should be faster than the 7900/7950.

[_dangtx_]

if its games u will need it for stick with a nice used 7900 for around/under 100 bucks

[3dfxrain]

7900/7950GT, XFX, one with a fan

[Poci]

I am in the market for a sub-$200 video card to put into a machine I'm using, and I've come to a crossroad. For the same price I can pick up either a geforce 7900/7950, or an 8600gts. While I am certainly interested in the 8 series' newer features and technologies, I can't help but think about the 128 bit memory bus that the 8600 sports vs. the 256 bit bus that the 7900 series has. Also, I have read that DX10 is not impressing everyone with its features. So, while I was initially focused on the 8600gts, I'm now having second thoughts - would it be wise to go with a 7900 or 7950 instead? I'm talking about real world performance here.

Opinions, thoughts? Other recommendations?

Dont be mislead,its not the features of DX 10 that arent impressing people.
Cause the features are where it shines,whats not impressing people is DX 10 PERFORMANCE.Which will be fixed soon by both MS and nvidia and ati
Cause if you want to see DX 10 features and then tell me if your impressed or not just google the game Crysis for trailers and videos of it,youll see.

[cjh6386]

Dont be mislead,its not the features of DX 10 that arent impressing people.
Cause the features are where it shines,whats not impressing people is DX 10 PERFORMANCE.Which will be fixed soon by both MS and nvidia and ati
Cause if you want to see DX 10 features and then tell me if your impressed or not just google the game Crysis for trailers and videos of it,youll see.

thanks... that does look good. My budget of <$200 will not change however... 7900GS/7950 is lookin real good! I can't keep myself interested in the 8600 because of its 128 bit bus

[Poci]

For 250$ you can get an 8800 GTS 320mb version.
Its only 50 bucks more

[_dangtx_]

or a used 640meg version

[cjh6386]

For 250$ you can get an 8800 GTS 320mb version.
Its only 50 bucks more

I didn't know that they were quite that cheap, but for $130 I can get a 7900GS. About half that.

[Poci]

Yes you would be much better off with a good DX 10 card like an 8800

[richardd43]

I have a 7900 GXT and a 7950 GX2 and I really like them both. Unless you can afford a highend 8xxx series I would go for the higher performance of the 79xx series right now.

This is not to say I would not like a 8800 but there is not enough gain for me to spend the money right now. By the end of the year there will be a bunch of new hardware (and I hope games) that might make it worth while for me to upgrade.