MSI GeForce 8500 GT and 8600 GT OC Review

[MikeC]

Jonathan Martini checks out MSI's GeForce 8500 GT and GeForce 8600 GT OC graphics cards. The GeForce 8500 GT falls in the $75-$80 range, while the overclocked 8600 GT runs around $115.

http://nvnews.net/reviews/msi_geforce_8500gt_8600gt_oc/images/8500_box_front_s.jpg


http://nvnews.net/reviews/msi_geforce_8500gt_8600gt_oc/images/8600_box_front_s.jpg

Based on a price-performance ratio, the results show the GeForce 8600 GT OC outperforming the GeForce 8500 GT over 2x at higher resolutions like 1600x1200, shader intensive games like F.E.A.R., or with 2x and 4x antialiasing enabled.


While MSI's GeForce 8500 GT (NX8500GT-TD256E) is capable of handling the workload of the typical user and the odd game, the more powerful MSI GeForce 8600 GT OC provides twice the gaming performance in almost every gaming scenario tested. For only a twenty to forty dollar premium, anyone in the market for a low-priced mainstream video card and interested in gaming should definitely opt for the 8600 GT OC.

Check it out here:
http://nvnews.net/reviews/msi_geforce_8500gt_8600gt_oc/index.shtml

[Nitz Walsh]

One thing I'm curious about - noise. My 7600GT - especially since it has no fan control under Vista and runs full tilt just at the desktop - is the loudest component in my system. How does the MSI 6600GT sound?

Not bad results actually, but I still think the 8600GTS should be closer to the GT's price point. Still, dropping a few settings and you can play Lost Planet at 1024x768 with 4X AA at over 30fps which isn't bad for a $115 card, considering that's very close to Xbox360 performance. How about some tests with higher resolutions? 4:3 displays are becoming quite rare these days.

[JonathanM]

Hi Nitz,

The card's fan speed is controllable within XP. I can't tell if it's rather loud as my CPU fan speeds up as well and both sounds mash up well together. I'll try again to notice the sound within a 3D environment.

As for higher res results, the card isn't designed for high res gameplay for newer games, and is priced accordingly.

If there's any specific tests you'd like me to run, I'll be more than glad to go through them.

As for the comment about 4:3 displays becoming rather rare... I don't see where you're pulling this information from. Sure, high-end gamers are picking up high-res widescreen monitors, but then again, these gamers aren't interested in the 8500 GT or the 8600 GT. Valve's hardware survey (http://www.steampowered.com/status/survey.html) states that 84.75% of their users are using 4:3 displays.