Is there too much of a difference between the graphics cards NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS, 8500 GT, and 8600 GT/GTS?

I'm planning on buying a new PC, and since I'm mainly a gamer, I want a good graphics card that can run high-end and next-gen games. Well, I realize if I want to play "next-gen" games, then I'll have to buy a DirectX 10 card. But I'm not sure yet. I was wondering if there's a great difference between the quality of graphics of the GeForce 7600, 8500 and 8600. On the official NVIDIA site, I read that the 8500 provides just 5x gaming performance v/s integrated grpahics, while the 7600 provides 8x and the 8600 - 13x performance. Is there really such a difference between these graphics cards? Because of the 13x performance factor, I'm thinking about buying the GeForce 8600, but the problem is, its got only 256 MB memory... is that much memory enough to run games like Crysis smoothly? Or should I better buy 2 GeForce 8500s so I get more memory, will that be better than a single 8600? Or should I just be happy with the 7600 for now? Please help me!

Is there too much of a difference between the graphics cards NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS, 8500 GT, and 8600 GT/GTS?
OK. First, since you have been planning to play Crysis when it comes out, it is suggest that you buy Windows Vista and the NVidia GeForce 8000 series video card.





Because if you don't you can not enable the maximum graphical settings because it uses Direct X10, in which Vista and the 8000 Series support. Both are needed.





As for Video Card memory goes, how high of a resolution are you planning to play the game? Video card memory only affects how the video card will slow down the higher the resolution the game gets.





Let's just say we have two identical video cards, except one has 512MB of memory and the other one has 256MB. At lower resolutions (1024x768) , the performance difference most often don't go beyond 2 to 3 FPS. (Say 117FPS and 120FPS) However, when going to 2048x1536, then more likely, the game won't work, or will run 5 FPS on the 256MB one, while the 512MB one will run at about 13FPS.





If you only play at 1024x768 or lower, then you do not need to worry about video card memory. What's more important is what is the video card is, a GeForce 8600 GT is MUCH faster than a 7600GT. Remember that.
Reply:keep in mind it's not just the onboard memory that counts, just like a PC, speed depends on other factors such as the GPU speed, onboard ram speed, and software like DX. be sure to look at these specs when shopping around. personally i'm looking at a 7600 because of price\performance eficiency.
Reply:Yes , 7600 is one generation behind now.





And from the 8500 GT, and 8600 GT/GTS cards ,





the 8500 GT, and 8600 GT run on a 128bit bus = BAD





and the 8600 GTS runs a 256bit bus = Bare minimum for today's game cards.
Reply:Speed Comparison


http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.h...
Reply:well i will suggest u to get a 8600 for so called future proof...


it could be a few 100 buck different but there one thing u have to consider.. with thi extra money u can have a better performance and last longer for 1 or 2 years.. so for a long term investment to get a 8600.





well u can try to get some survey at tom'shardware.com
Reply:Clearly, you are after a Series 8 GeForce if you are a gamer and looking to "future-proof" your PC.





The best option, obviously, would be to go to the 8800GT, but that's quite impossible as that is a homewrecker of a price for a video card.





Now, you will need to ditch the series 7 GeForce range and look at the series 8 (solely because you want to play hyper-realistic games e.g. Crysis). The best option that you supplied out of all of the above is the 8600GTS. This has the highest price, but this is the one that you can be sure will spend the longest time in your PC over all the others.





I hope this guides you in the right path to enlightenment,





Pat.