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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.

XFX 7600 GT 256Mb GDDR3 Video Card

XFX 7600 GT 256Mb

XFX has been a leader in providing factory overclocked video cards for several years now, they were also one of the first to introduce an updated 7600 GT video card with higher clock speeds build on 80nm process. The other manufacturer doing this was… Sparkle. The initial target price for these cards was ~€150, this has now dropped to a more modest price, hovering around €100.

The sample we picked up at a local store came in a flashy box with window cutout at the back:

Something to watch out for is the product code and name present on the box. While the code “PV-T73G-UGD3“ leads us to this product page which states 590Mhz core, the name “GF 7600GT 650M” does give conflicting information. As it turns out, this sample runs at 650Mhz core.

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The package contains the bare essentials, a small installation manual, driver CD, TV-out cable and one DVI->VGA converter.

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The 7600 GT from XFX features a black PCB, black PCI plate and low profile cooler.

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The 7600 GT takes all it power from PCI Express slot, no external power connector present.

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The memory chips are K4J52324QE-BC14 and rated at 700 MHz, obviously XFX didn’t find this to be enough and boosted voltage (most likely) to run them at 800 MHz.

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Test Setup Details next ->

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.

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