What benefits will I see going from 6600 to 8600GT?

[hightech]

I currently have this video card:

Extreme N6600LE Silencer/TD/256M
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=139&l4=0&model=613&modelmenu=2

I was considering going with either the 256 meg or 512 meg version of this card:

EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/256M
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=514&l4=0&model=1642&modelmenu=1

I have the Samsung 225BW 22" Widescreen, and was considering getting a Dell 2407WFP-HC. I figure the dual DVI would give me better image quality.

Since I only use my system for MS Office, Web, watching videos, and other things, will it make a difference going from my card to this?

Also, should I get the 256 meg, or the 512 meg card?

[tsehou]

For your purposes, the extra memory won't make a difference.

The 8600GT does have better built in hardware acceleration for movies, so in terms of movies that will be the only difference you will see.

Unless you play games, no real difference will be seen.

[matkun]

The 8600GT does have better built in hardware acceleration for movies, so in terms of movies that will be the only difference you will see.


Also worth pointing out, unless you are using Vista, you can't use the hardware video acceleration of the 8x00 series.

[hightech]

Thanks for the info.

Is there a big difference connecting a LCD via VGA instead of DVI? This was the main reason I was considering the video card update. The current one I have is DVI and VGA, not dual DVI.

Thanks

[matkun]

There is a slight improvement in going from VGA to DVI. No diference between DVI and Dual DVI though.

If your current monitor is hooked up to the DVI output of the video card, it won't make any difference when you change the video card. If it is currently connected to the VGA output, why not just connect it to the DVI?

[hightech]

There is a slight improvement in going from VGA to DVI. No diference between DVI and Dual DVI though.

If your current monitor is hooked up to the DVI output of the video card, it won't make any difference when you change the video card. If it is currently connected to the VGA output, why not just connect it to the DVI?

Currently I have my LCD hooked up to the DVI port. I am considering buying another LCD, and that would have to be hooked up to the VGA port on my current video card. This was why I was asking if it is worth spending the $$ to upgrade a video card that will have 2 DVI ports vs. only 1.

[matkun]

Currently I have my LCD hooked up to the DVI port. I am considering buying another LCD, and that would have to be hooked up to the VGA port on my current video card. This was why I was asking if it is worth spending the $$ to upgrade a video card that will have 2 DVI ports vs. only 1.

It depends how picky you are on quality. It will be a slight difference, but not a huge one, though it will probably help avoid refresh cycles.. IE: You'll see lines going down one screen or the other, because their refresh rates are slightly out of sync.

[DarkReaper]

If you only do small things like that, don't bother upgrading the video card.

You're better off upgrading the CPU or RAM.

[hightech]

If you only do small things like that, don't bother upgrading the video card.

You're better off upgrading the CPU or RAM.

Good point.

I might just use what I have and then upgrade to a new computer when the time comes. Seeing that my current rig is 2 years old, that may be soon.

System Specs:

AMD 64 x2 4200+
2 Gigs DDR400 Ram
Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Seagate 7200.10 500 GB SATA2
Asus N6600 PCI-e Video card with 256 megs ram.
Samsung 225BW monitor
etc.

[squall458]

Good point.

I might just use what I have and then upgrade to a new computer when the time comes. Seeing that my current rig is 2 years old, that may be soon.

System Specs:

AMD 64 x2 4200+
2 Gigs DDR400 Ram
Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Seagate 7200.10 500 GB SATA2
Asus N6600 PCI-e Video card with 256 megs ram.
Samsung 225BW monitor
etc.

Your system is a performance champ (for a 939 system) minus your video card. Your cpu and ram is more than adequate for everything you do and even gaming. Your hard drive and monitor is great too. If you are itching to upgrade, the 8600GT would fit you well and you might want to game with it. I have the same setup as you almost, and use it mainly as a gaming machine with my xfx 8600gt.

[akito925]

wait till mid nov for christmas sales to start, thats when the newer video cards are release. wait and keep watching the BST forums.. for a used dual dvi 8500GT or 8600GT you know just one person out there is upggrading..