- Back to homepage
- Related articles
  Related articles

NVIDIA Mid Range 8600 GT vs 7600 GT Performance Comparison

Videocards/VGA Reviews by jmke @ 2007-08-13

Only a few weeks ago we compared the new 8500 GT to the cheaper and older 7300 GT video card and found the new NVIDIA budget card to be average at best. This week we compare the mid range offering, a Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb which can be found at ~€100 in stores, to a ~€100 XFX 7600 GT 256Mb which comes with higher clock speeds. To round up the comparison we threw in a factory overclocked Calibre 8600 GT with 512Mb. Let´s see if the new cards can beat the revived price/performance champ.

Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb GDDR3 Video Card

Sparkle Geforce 8600 GT 256Mb
» Provided by: Dollarshops

Sparkle was one of the first on the market with their Geforce 8 series offering, the high end 8800 GTX and slightly more affordable GTS were well received. They did not wait too long to announce their products based on the new NVIDIA mid-range video cards. The 8600 GT from Sparkle is a no frills product, the white box holds only the absolute necessary.

The package contains a small installation manual, driver CD, HDTV connection cables, classic TV-out, and one DVI->VGA converter:

Madshrimps (c)

To reduce manufacturing costs Sparkle rearranged the PCB layout, and used different components for their 8600 GT card. This results in a video card which is unique and not a run-off-the-mill NVIDIA reference design copy:

Madshrimps (c)

Notice the absence of an external power connector for the 8600 GT, all power is drawn from the PCI Express slot.

Madshrimps (c)

The cooler is a low profile design with small fan, it doesn’t promise to be dead silent, let’s hope it’s not too noisy.

Madshrimps (c)

The Qimonda GDDR3 memory chips are rated at 700Mhz@CL11 at 1.8v. Don’t expect much overclocking headroom without a voltage modification.

Madshrimps (c)

Let’s check out the Calibre ->

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/08/13

8600gt finally received the credit it deserves

Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/13

but only at that price point it must be said!

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/08/13

Credit = price/performance

I never give credit at a single level

Comment from thorgal @ 2007/08/13

Nice article J. A lot of info here, still digesting

Very complete benchies too

Comment from RichBa5tard @ 2007/08/14

Exellent review!

Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/14

I have overlooked the X1950 Pro it seems, it's now also at price ~€100 and offers out of the box performance slightly higher than the 8600 GT
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=get...&articID=5 72

Comment from RichBa5tard @ 2007/08/17

Yes, but slightly lower power consumption and better drivers.

Both of them are a good deal though.

All information and graphics contained in Madshrimps are sole property of the Madshrimps crew and may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without written permission from us.