8400M GS and 8600M GT: How long will they be up to date?

Ok, before things wrap up here, I just want you people to be aware that I only feel that the 8600M GT is worth it if it will be needed with the current games that come out over 2-3 years and for some high spec games along with that, not JUST to have more than what I need and play JUST high spec games like Crysis on med/high! So, could maybe use some little tips on that...

I'm not too smart with computer stuff, so I have asked quite a lot, but thanks to everyone to helped me out here!

 

Yep. "Up to date" can actually depend on your needs and expectations. If you're buying an 8600M GT you must have decently realistic expectations [newer games with no AA at medium-high settings at 1280x800 res and below] in the first place. You can't expect a mid-range card to run new games at 16xQ AA at ultra high at 2560x1600 res -- or maybe even older games for that matter..! You should know you are buying a mid-range card and in effect are risking future-proof-ness [lol]. Not that I'm doubting the 8600M GT [and I'm not. I love my GPU! <3] but I'm just being realistic. If you prioritize playing future games at much higher settings and you're willing to spend more for that, we have 8800M GPUs. But if you're content with playing most games at high and some newer games at medium-high at lower res, and you have around $1500 [some are even at $1000 or less, like my Vostro, albeit DDR2 instead of GDDR3], then the 8600M GT will do.

Just be glad you made a decent purchase and have fun playing games, instead of watching that FRAPS number go up and down.

 

Yep! QUit watching the FPS and just play...you know you need a new video card when the FPS goes down too much to be playable or fun...and so far NO GAME out there today (or in the forseeable future) will do that to an 8600gt in my opinion.

 

My 2¢...

The 8600GT is already low end by today's standards. It's okay for today's games (except maybe Crysis and FSX), but there's no guarantee it'll run everything decently this year, let alone two years from now.

I *think* you can get away with an 8600GT for at least a year if you have reasonable expectations (as someone mentioned-medium resolutions, medium settings, and no AA).

The 8400 was low end when it launched last year. It makes no sense whatsoever to buy a system with an 8400 when for just $100 more or whatever you can literally DOUBLE the system's useful life.

This should be one of the easiest decisions you ever make. There is NO REASON to give the 8400 one second of thought.

 

for Long long time