Nvidia jumped the gun on Windows Vista and DirectX10 when it launched the high-priced and equally high-performance GeForce 8800 GTX and GTS graphics processing units last year. While the ATI/AMD complex has yet to release a single DirectX 10 product, Nvidia pushes into budget territory with a trio of cards in the sub-$200 range. The GeForce 8600 GTS leads the pack, while the GeForce 8600 GT and GeForce 8500 GT follow behind. Expect to find all of the cards available in stores and online on April 17.
;)
The GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB comes with 32 stream processors, one-third of the 96 processor GeForce 8800 GTS, and one-quarter of the flagship 128 processor 8800 GTX. Stock GeForce 8600 GTS cards have a 675MHz core clock paired with a 1.45GHz shader clock, and 256MB of GDDR3 memory at an effective speed of 2.0GHz. The value-oriented GeForce 8600 GT has the same engine as the GeForce 8600 GTS; however, Nvidia reduced the core and shader speeds to 540MHz and 1.19GHz, respectively. The company also throttled the memory back to an effective speed of 1.4GHz.
In comparison to the 8600s, Nvidia trimmed the budget-oriented GeForce 8500 GT down to 16 stream processors and reduced the clock speeds even further. The 8500 GT gets to muck about with a 450MHz core and 900MHz shader clock paired with downright anemic 800MHz memory.
| PNY GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB | GeForce 8600 GT 256MB | GeForce 8500 GT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $199-229 | $149-159 | $89-129 |
| DirectX | DirectX 10, SM4 | DirectX 10, SM4 | DirectX 10, SM4 |
| Core Speed | 675MHz | 540MHz | 450MHz |
| Stream Processors | 32 | 32 | 16 |
| Shader Speed | 1.45GHz | 1.19GHz | 900MHz |
| Memory | 256MB | 256MB | 256-512MB |
| Memory Speed | 1000MHz (2.0GHz GDDR3) | 700MHz (1.4GHz GDDR3) | 400MHz (800MHz GDDR3) |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit | 128-bit | 128-bit |
The GeForce 8600 GTS and its budget brethren have the same core improvements as other 8800-based GPUs. You'll get a unified shader architecture, full DirectX 10 compatibility, and support for concurrent high-dynamic range lighting with antialiasing. In addition, the cards receive an extra dose of video-processing capabilities. The 8600 and 8500 series of GPUs accelerate and improve image quality for H.264 and VC-1 high-definition video content. Improvements to the graphical core allow the GPUs to reduce CPU usage for video playback considerably.
We tested the PNY GeForce 8600 GTS and the GeForce 8600 GT against a host of competitors; however, the GeForce 8500 GT did not arrive in time for testing.
GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB Performance
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
245 Comments
sounds like a better idea is to save up for the better graphics card to me! after all, you only get one go at more at it, more than likely, better to have the best you can get. very interesting, though, thank you.
a336061, I'm pretty sure Nvidia said they were going to bring out the 8600 for agp....
great more money ... yeah ... from where i will brought it? last past 2 months i spent 300 $ on my PC to make it up but it seems no way only to buy higher
i have 8800gts and was quite upset to hear they are releasing a 8900gtx soon so if i were you guys i would hang on for a couple of months and wait for the massive price drop of 88000gtx which is inevitable when the 8900gtx comes out. also if you cant wait the best bang per buck is definatly the 8800gts 324 mb as this is the same except for the lower memory aperture but stuill is ace
i only get 9000 3dmarks with c2s e6600 stock and xfx 8800gts 640 xxx !
I actually expected a lot more from these cards, but of course, DX10 will boost their performance by quite a lot. However if you want a good card cheap just go for the 8800GTS 320 - It offers most bang for the buck.
It's a good thing to know that my x1950xtx still outperforms midrange DX10 cards. Can't wait to get my hands on the X2900XTX2 or the X2900XTX with GDDR4 and 1GB of video memory which will abuse the 8800GTX once it's finally released hopefully in may...hopefully.
damian you make me laugh. I also run an 8800 GTX and WOW, i couldn't ask for a better card. I've cut back on Vista till Q3 because THAT is where the incompatibility comes from. The 8800 GTX runs killer physics, video memory and blistering graphics processing power without missing a frame and WITHOUT, and i mean without, any incompatibilities or bugs. I've run over 20 games on it now without a problem. Just don't get vista yet, it sucks right now cause it needs to play catch-up with xp for patches and such. xp + 8 series + dual core processor. Can't go wrong.
i say if your going to get something get the best, nvidia is on top of things, and that 8800GTX is some serious stuff. It's equipped with 768mg of Steroids... i'm sorry, DDR3 memory, my mistake... the only reason i haven't gotten one yet is because if i do, they make a 8900GTX with a gig of memory, and then i'm pissed, royally... so i'm convinced i'm stopping the flow of technology, the only way something new comes out is if i buy whats secretly phased out, the industry waits on me... i'm so flattered... and p.s. no DX10 card would ever see a hint of silicon without an X after PCI... thank you
AMAZING!!!!!!!!! ill be on my way to buy the PNY GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB for my next pc ....
Thanks for the review! I've been thinking about getting a new video card for quite some time and this really helps narrow down the possibilities.
Damian, I run an 8800 GTX and play tons of different games, it is not incompatible. There are issues here and there with the odd game, but I've not found one single game to be unplayable, period.
teknicz, i did the same thing a little while ago. i now have 2 geforce 7600's and it works great. but if you want DX10 then your outta luck.
An ATI X1900 XTX 512mb would munch the 8600 and 8500 hands down. No point in buying 8800 anyway since it's mostly incompaible with games and already existing cards offer enough power already for most of the part. ATI will surely lower the price for all of them, they're worthless ^^.
Guess I'll stick with my 7600GT, the difference isn't good enough to warrant the 8600GTS. Especially when I could just get another 7600GT to SLI it, and still have a combined cost lower than the 8600GTS.
yeah your thinkin the same as me y would i buy a 8600 in the uk for £140-£160 when i can get a 8800GTS for £150
Good, but might as well get the 8800GTS really, can get one for £150.
New half-built system is desperatly awaiting graphics card and I was looking forward to a fantastic mid-range card for a good price - much like the 7600gt was. Oh well...
Now I'm waiting for whatever ATI releases, to either puch down the price of the 8800gts 320mb, or offer me a better bang for buck card.
dey shouldve shown us some picture comparasons.. but i guess its not gonna be too much of a difference. gotta wait for direct x 10 games i gues.
g_man95 my setup is only a C2D E6600@ 2.4Ghz & their using C2E 2.93@ X6800 that can push the score higher.... Well 8600GTS not impressive at all, still not powerful enough to handle SM4.0 or DX10 graphic.....
the 8800 320 meg use just 1 line its the gtx 768 meg that use 2
i got a 8800 320 meg and its rock but no games but command and conquer to play with it lol
the 8600's don't use any more than the 50w suplied by the pci-e slot.
The 8800's suck up around 100 more, because they require two 75w lines.
Putting them in SLI causes Global warming.
I would guess 500w is ok, I think thats what the 8800s recommend
If only Crysis didnt look like such a fun game I would have no problem and not be so angry about not being able to play it at its best. I'm seriously still happy to play CSS and BF2, dystopia (best mod ever), and HL2. and the only thing that will make me get vista is if HL2 episode 3 is vista only
argh! PC =$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, consoles = not as good graphics and less money. But now that's also changing because HDTVs are involved, which are about as much as a good comp. Ive got a 7950GT and havent had a problem so far, the only thing I ever needed to do was turn off AA in Conmpany of Heroes, and I run my games at 1280x1024 all highest
well, I would like to see these cards in action before I decide, IMO I will still go with a 8800GTS 320 
jus to be safe on the 256but side! BTW!? Where is ATi ?? 
got lost?
Well..AMD has to start climbing back. I'm in the market right now for a complete new build & thought about the X2 6000+ CPU, but after Intel Duo Core price cuts on th3 23rd, looks like Intel will get my business for the 1st time ever (4 bulids) These VC's are crimpled with 128 Memory Interface. You can score a 8800GTS for $259.99 @ NG after rebate. I really can't see the 8600 GTS selling well unless there is a HUGE price dip. Why even bother..really. It will be interesting to see what ATI comes out with, but once again AMD is falling behind! I have always been an AMD fan 1st, not so much so with ATI. We do need to manufacturers in teh market with both VC & CPU's.
Hmm. 8600GTS, thanks but no thanks. I'd get myself an x1950 pro or hell even an 8800GTS 320mb! But I'd like to wait for ATI's stuff. Even if what they come out is crap, at least the nV prices would have surely would have tumbled down. Just wait and see.
The 8600GTS has not much going for it, bar the DX10 nametag. Even in other reviews, the X1950PRO matches/beats it as well as the 8600GT. The X1950PRO here might also be the made-by-ATi version, which affects its performance. Also, most people won't buy a $240 made-by-ATi card if there's a $175 PowerColor/Sapphire/connect3D version available, innit?
thank god, the price of the 8800 cards are really high. Once again nVidia takes the lead!!!!
expected nothing less from the kings of video cards...ATI have at you!!!!!
man i wouldn't give my x1900xt 256mb on that 8600gts...i don't care if it has dx10...that 128 bit bandwidth is bottleneking the hell out of them...not impresed at all
I went with an 8800gts 320 with a core 2 duo 6300 on vista home premium. For under $1000, it gives a lot of bang for the buck.
Zuestronic, they tested the 1950pro 256mb, not 512. I think I would trust them. Also different brands and setups have different scores.
the 8800GTS 320 is so much better of a value than this new 8600. The extra 50-100 dollars are surely worth a card thats literally three times faster.
be aware this is the standard clock speed. personally if i decide to get an 8600 gts it'll be the xfx xxx series overclocked to 730 mhz. that should give it an ample increase in performance.
The benchies score is incorrect, for a X1950Pro 256MB on stock can easily reach score 5500 on the 3DMark06.... I have tested with my own setup E6600, Intel 975XBX2, 2GB A-Data DDR2 800 (1GB x 2), 250GB Samsung SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP SP2, PowerColor X1950Pro Extreme Edition 512MB 256bit DDR3, Grapihc Drive Catalyst 7.2... & lastly the score for 3DMark06 is 6000++...
I own a 8800GTS 320MB and I'll tell ya if your monitor is not bigger than 24" then you get absolutely no lag if you buy this card, 320MB is way enough for 19" monitors and other stuff.
but if you have an aftermarket cooling for CPU, or even NORTHBRIDGE CHIPSET you need to watch out because they might not fit, which is what happened to me.
