New video card

[Krusty]

Did not know that about the 8600s.

For comparison, my 7600 GTS with 256MB RAM hasn't had hardly any problems. Finding drivers was quirky at first, but now there are more out there.

I'm usually pegged at monitor refresh rate (60Hz LCD), with FSAA at 2x or 4x, "quality" or "high quality" texture settings, mid-range aniso, and other decent settings. If I turn off vsync, and click the preset slider to "performance" I get 170-190 FPS on my card.

[Krusty]

Oh, and yes somebody mentioned the 8600s with the slow ram: If it's got DDR2 it'll be worse than the 7600GT. The other models with DDR3 are noticably faster, but end up probably being marginally faster than the 7600GT. Basically I'd avoid the 8000-series entirely unless you're going full-blown 8800.

Especially considering the new mid-budget, high-power, 9600GTs out!

[BaldEagl]

8800's are going down in price fast now with the intro of the 1 Gig cards.  You can get a 512 mb 8800 GT for under $200 now.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

While the above is true I ask to keep in mind that if the OP needs a card for _under_ 100 bucks he can't be looking at 8800GT. No matter how good it is.

I wouldn't buy a 8600 either. I'd save 20-30 bucks more and get a 3850/70 or 9600GT. Also the 8800 GTS 320mb is extremely affordable and works well at low resolutions.

[BaldEagl]

While the above is true I ask to keep in mind that if the OP needs a card for _under_ 100 bucks he can't be looking at 8800GT. No matter how good it is.

I wouldn't buy a 8600 either. I'd save 20-30 bucks more and get a 3850/70 or 9600GT. Also the 8800 GTS 320mb is extremely affordable and works well at low resolutions.

I thought the poster said "Ok guys im wanting to upgrade from my nividia 8500gt to a 8800".  I didn't see where he said he intended to do that for under $100.  At under $200 the 8800 GT is a great deal.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I thought the poster said "Ok guys im wanting to upgrade from my nividia 8500gt to a 8800".  I didn't see where he said he intended to do that for under $100.  At under $200 the 8800 GT is a great deal.

Actually you're right it must have been another post where $100 was the limit.