radeon 2600 vs. geforce 8600

[intelfanboy88]

I need some help choosing between these two cards



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102703



pros of the radeon include future crossfire (my mobo is not sli), 512mb ram

pros of the geforce include faster clock speed, lower price (after rebate), and a free game

 

[hermeslyre]

They are both similar performance wise. I believe the 8600gt is the better gaming card, while the 2600xt is the better multimedia one.

 

[lovely?]

i would go with the ati your motherboard is made for it anyways

 

[maroon1]

For a little more you can get 8600GTS, and that can smoke both you that video cards you posted
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127284

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122026

8600GTS beats HD2600XT GDDR4 version. And the one you posted is GDDR3 version. So, the 8600GTS would completely destroy the one you posted

 

[intelfanboy88]

okay, i think the radeon will be better for me. so i guess the question is, should i get 256mb of gddr4 or 512mb gddr3? I have heard the gddr3 is more stable, for now

 

[intelfanboy88]

oh, and does anyone know if there is any use for my current card (in sig) when i get the upgrade? for example, could it act as a physics card?

 

[ETSA]

There will be no use for it once replacing it. The ATI card is a good choice IMO.

 

[Kill Bill]

The DDR3 be better as GDDR4 is unstable and they have not great drivers

 

[Geoff]

The DDR3 be better as GDDR4 is unstable and they have not great drivers

The drivers are exactly the same for both models, they dont differ based on whether you have GDDR2/3/4. I wouldnt consider GDDR4 unstable either.

 

[intelfanboy88]

I have read a little about upcoming chipsets and it seems ATI is releasing the 2950 next month. Even if I don't get it the prices of what I am looking at now should go down. I think I'll wait. Any thoughts?