Which card is better?

Which graphics card is better?

512MB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX graphics card

256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT Graphics Card (and it says 1GB of TurboCache mem)

Thanks,
Steve

 

The Go 7950 GTX is the faster card of the two. The 8600M GT, while very powerful, cannot compete with the Go 7950 GTX. If you want to play the latest games and want DX10 support, then you may want to consider the 8700M GT.

 

But i just assumed that the cards witht he higher numbers were the best

 

lol. So you're saying that 7950+650=8600 therefore the 8600 should explode the pants off the 7950's butt? Not true. If I'm understanding you correctly that is, look at the cards as small upgrades from their previous cards. Ex: 7400 is now a 8400, 7600 is now a 8600. Just a new line of production. I have the 8600GT. Amazing!

 

So honestly, which is better?

 

The "8" in the 8600M GT, simply denotes that its a newer generation of graphics card. Basically, it is newer than the 7 series, and generally more advanced. However, the 8600M GT is a mid-range graphics card, whereas the Go 7950 GTX was and still is the high-end, and fastest mobile DX9 graphics card.

Higher numbers, generally, do mean higher performance, but it only works when comparing graphics cards from the same group. For example, the 8600M GT is faster than the Go 7600, from the previous generation. Both of those graphics cards are considered mid-range.

 

Raw performance = 7950
Support for newest features = 8700

Either way, you really cannot go wrong as DX10 won't be a requirement for some time.

 

Does the 1GB TurboCache mean anything?

 

Well, there are two factors that are key to deciding which card is better.

1. Resolution of Screen
2. Directx 10: An upgrade from Directx 9 which creates better graphics.


1. When your screen is at a higher resolution it is harder for a video card to show the quality. The 7950GTX is a stronger card only because it can play games at a higher resolution. If you have a normal resolution then its not worth getting...

2. The new 8600GT can play the latest and soon to come games since some of these new PC games are only Directx 10 capable. Of course, there are not may out there right now. But soon video games will require Directx 10 and not ive you an option. So the 8600GT is in a way "future safe." More than the 7950GTX because the 7950GTX is only Directx 9 compatible.

My choice: 8600GT

The 7950GTX is not worth it if you have a regular resolution. The 8600GT will be ready for new games in the future several years or so.

 

if you want 15.4" notebook the 8600 gt is the best you can get right now. over all the 7950 gtx is the best you can get but you have to get a 17".

 

It just means that the graphics card will use some of the system RAM for its own needs. Its not a bad thing to have and can help in some circumstances, but if you don't have much RAM to begin with, it could reduce general system speed.

 

Well thats because you have the card...
I have ordered a laptop with the 7950GTX with a screen resolution that will go up to 1920x1200 (17" screen)

 

8600GT is a strong card, its your ticket to a better night's sleep...

 

go for 7950 if you plan to upgrade again in next 1-2 years.
go for 8600GT if you don't.

 

Oh, well thats a better choice since your resolution goes to 1920x1200. The 8600GT wouldn't look as good I believe. Games that are going to be released soon still have the capability of Directx 9. You have a good laptop.

 

The 8600M-GT is not better. The 7950gtx is classified as a high-end card because it has a 256-bit memory bus. The 8600M only has a 128. The 7950gtx is going to perform better, perhaps much better than the 8600M at higher resolutions and/or with anti-aliasing enabled because it has more brute processing power and of course the 256-bit memory bus. The 8600gt on the other hand with last longer because it is directx10, and in the next 1-2-3yrs all games ill be directx10. The 7950gtx is strictly directx 9 and cant play any directx 10

 

well i have a 17" and the 7950 gtx

 

Thanks LBThorn

 

^^^ What he said. You can't argue right now with the superior performance of the 7950. And this is from someone who is getting an 8600M GT. I mean, just look at the numbers:

www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

However, as others have noted, once the slew of DX10 games are rolling out, and sp1 comes out for Vista and they get some of these compatibility issues and other things worked out, I think that the 8600 will finally be able to take advantage of its features and really shine in performance.