So like everyone else that seems to post here, my video card does not seem to cut it now with some of the newer games (8600gt). The only problem is my motherboard only supports pci-e 8x. Is this going to be a problem with upgrading to a new card? I wont be looking at a huge upgrade as gaming isnt a priority (200$ max), I only play casually, and have a friend upgrading from a 8800gt that i can pick up cheap. Does the 8x/16x thing make a huge difference? or will i notice much difference at all moving from my 8600gt to a 9600/8800?

Current pc specs:

amd 4200+, 2gb ram, win xp 32bit.

9600GT.

It doesn't even full the whole 16x bandwidth. You'll be right with 9600

Ok cool. And one other thing, are both of those still ok to run on a 300w PSU :P

I have 2 640gb WD hdd's running off it.

Get a proper PSU.

Corsair VX450 if you're tight on the money.

make sure you can fit the 9600gt properly in your case too as i found out when upgrading from 7600gt to 9600gt.

$110 just for a power supply :/ maybe I wont bother upgrading then and just stick with cod4/oblivion. Is the $60 icute one no good? I mean I can afford the corsair, but its not really worth it to me since i hardly play games.


And the card should fit in ok, the only issue might be length, but i can just move the hard drives down a slot.

Edit: a quick google seems to show the icute is rubbish

yea length was a problem for me since the pcie cable from the gfx card was in the way of the hard drive power and sata plug.

i initially shifted my two hard drives so they were together (the two lowest slots) but their temps increased each by around 10 degrees w/ even with a fan blowing over them but i managed two seperate by one slot (quite a mission in my case, temps of the hard drive returned to normal) but overall worth it in the end.

as for the power supply theres a ST50EF going here http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/332320/?

Never go for the cheap shit PSU's. Corsair have a vid on their site to show this.

yeah i know ot stay away from hyena, but didn't know icute were shit too. Maybe I can look at something around xmas time.

I think I will be ok with the harddrives, but the cable for the front audio jacks is in the way, it JUST clears my current card, but I don't use the front inputs so ill just unplug it.

Silverstone PSUs are generally regarded as good. I'm running an ST400 (400watts) in my system with an HD4850 and its running fine. It cost me around $80-85 from C1. 400w might not seem like a lot but the 12v rail will be more than enough for your 9600GT.

new bump, can someone rank these in order of goodness since i have no idea.

8800gts, 8800GT, 9600GT

kopfschuss wrote: new bump, can someone rank these in order of goodness since i have no idea. 8800gts, 8800GT, 9600GT

9600GT, 8800GTS (G80), 8800GT (G92), 8800GTS (G92)

how do you distinguish between g92 and g93?

iirc
8800GTS (G80) came in the 320, and 640 meg sizes
8800GTS (G92) came in the 512 and 1024 meg sizes

9600GT (G94)

ok so amd 4200++ no OC, 2 wd 640 hdd, 8800gt, dvd rom.

Will this work on a silverstone st400 PSU? Using the googles it seems it should, but i'd like a definite answer before buying the 8800gt/PSU

Thanks

yes, it should be fine.

Note: 8800GT uses more power than 9600GT

yeah thats what I though, thanks. Now I just need ot find another 8800gt thats a decent price now that the guy off gp sold his before I could buy it

Trademe would be an alternative

Sweet, about to sort out a new PSU but got one more question. Are themaltake a good brand? ive seen some 430w and 480w on trademe for around 60$ second hand which is about the same price as the ST400 second hand. Are they of equal quality os should i just stick with the silverstone?

Aside from their Tough Power series, Thermaltake PSUs don't have a very good reputation.

Ok cool, ill just stick with getting a silverstone. I was just asking because it could give me some other options.

glad this thread popped up, was looking at getting a 9600 GSO or GT to replace my 7800GT, seeing it beats the 8800GT it should be a nice improvement

i thought the 8800gt>9600gt?

sits between the 256meg and the bigger version, not to bad for a $150 card.