Graphics Card advice

SafariTin

SafariTin

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Messages
7,737
Reaction score
1,219
Location
Joburg
Hi All,

I am sad to admit that I have completely lost touch with hardware.

I'm desperately in need of a new graphics card. And now I need your help (myBB community) with some advise.

What I don't get is how the Geforce 8800GT could cost more than the Geforce 9500GT. The 9-series card obviously being newer technology?

Compairing the 2, they have the following in common, so logic tells me that this can't be what makes for the proce difference. Both have the 256MB GDDR memory.

The 9500GT is a 55nm GPU, whilst the 8800GT is 65nm. Is this significant?

The 9500GT has 32 Stream processers, 8800GT has 128. This tells me that the 8800 would process faster, right? But what does it process faster?

9500GT equals 550Mhz core, whilst 8800GT has 650Mhz core. Does this make such a big difference?

9500GT has 8.8 billion texels / 8800GT has 20,8 billion. This is better picture quality, right? Will I notice it on a 17" CRT? How about a 17" LCD?

I noticed the 8800GT has a 256 bus width - I don't know about the 9500GT. What does bus width do?

Well, what it boils down to is that I sort-off decided to buy the 9500GT. Specifically so I can play Fallout 3 and Diablo when it's released later this year, but I don't want to buy it, if I'm not sure what I'm sacrificing in a 8800GT for instance.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,
Phreakboy
 
ooohhh..... 9500gt = no no.

it's newer technology, but the lower range, of the 9-series.

don't fall for it - the x500 series is crap, whether 6500,7500,8500 or 9500.

just go for the x800 series !
 
If you want a cheap nvidia gaming card get the 9600GT 512mb
 
PhreakBoy said:
Fair enough, but why?
Click to expand...

Because it fools people who know nothing about gfx cards to buy their new cards even when they're worse. Most people, like you, see 9 series and thinks they're better when they're crap.
 
Keeper said:
ok - would you chose a 1.6 GSi 2007 Corsa, or a 1.4 2008 Corsa ?
Click to expand...

The GSi, but that is due to me knowing that the 1.6 is faster, even though less fuel efficient....

My point is, with the GSi, I know why it is better and I know what the negatives are. All you're giving me on the graphics card is that the 8800 is better, but I don't understand why, and I don't know the negatives.
 
I have looked at the 9600GT 512Mb. Seems good.

But then why is it better than the 9500GT. What am I getting for the extra R200?

8800GT 512MB = R2000 (approx)
9600GT 512MB = R1400 (approx)
9500GT 512MB = R1100 (approx)
 
Do you know how the Nvidia numbering system works? A 7900GT will outperform an 8600GT even though it's a generation older. 8800GT is a very powerful card for its time, specifically designed for high level gaming, whereas 9500 is mainly a multimedia card and all the gaming-relevant features have been crippled.

In gaming environments what matters are: bus width, clock speed, number of shaders and so on. You'll get higher framerates, better ability to handle effects, higher settings etc. Don't pay attention too much attention to the number at the front. And you will notice the difference no matter what monitor you use - there is just no comparison between 8800 and 9500.
 
Thanks for all the advice thusfar.

Maybe I'll try and squeeze the extra Rands out of the GF (it's gonna be a b-day present) and get the 9600GT.

However, I'm still looking for the more in-depth type stuff if someone out there feels obliged to assist with importance of bus speed, clock speed, number of shaders etc.
 
The card I'm looking at is a foxconn card. Does this make a big difference? I'm buying from a local dealer.
 
PhreakBoy said:
Thanks for all the advice thusfar.

Maybe I'll try and squeeze the extra Rands out of the GF (it's gonna be a b-day present) and get the 9600GT.

However, I'm still looking for the more in-depth type stuff if someone out there feels obliged to assist with importance of bus speed, clock speed, number of shaders etc.
Click to expand...

Well with all of those more is better. The thing is you can't look at any of these in isolation. Well memory width and type maybe. If it's 128bit or DDR2 it'll be ***. The 9600GT is great value for money in it's price range and will give you much better performance. The main thing is the amount of stream processors(shaders).

Just get the 9600GT. It's worth it.
 
cerebus said:
whereas 9500 is mainly a multimedia card and all the gaming-relevant features have been crippled.
Click to expand...

more like neutered. :D

well phreakboy, as you said yourself in the first post - it has higher memory speeds, more megs, wider bus, what ever - all those combined make it faster.
 
PhreakBoy said:
The card I'm looking at is a foxconn card. Does this make a big difference? I'm buying from a local dealer.
Click to expand...

Brand makes no difference when it comes to performance. The only difference brand makes is warranty period or if they put a custom cooler on or overclock it. But if you're getting a reference card, just get the cheapest.

PS don't get the 9600gso.
 
Great question.

Used to be simple - just buy the latest agp card.

Now you have to choose, ati or nvidea, ddr2 or ddr3, dx9 or dx10, then you have to figure out whether an xxx bit with yyy Mb is better than a .5xxx bit with 2xyyy Mb - it's a nightmare.
 
daveza said:
Great question.

Used to be simple - just buy the latest agp card.

Now you have to choose, ati or nvidea, ddr2 or ddr3, dx9 or dx10, then you have to figure out whether an xxx bit with yyy Mb is better than a .5xxx bit with 2xyyy Mb - it's a nightmare.
Click to expand...

very true - but it's not so bad to google for a few benchies eg: "4870 vs gtx260", etc...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X