[ADVICE] Need help choosing a GFX Card.

[teleka]

Well I have been recently building a computer piece by piece everytime I get enough money to buy the next part. I already have:
Thermaltake Armor Case
XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor 2.40GHz
OCZ 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 Memory (2 x 2048MB)
Thermaltake Max Orb

So the question is: I was wondering what GPU I should get for this set up. Whatever it is, I plan to get another one, and run it in SLI when I have the necessary funds (after I get some more important stuff like hdd and a new keyboard :P). Anyway I was looking around on Tiger Direct and I found this:
EVGA GeForce 8800 GT Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card 512-P3-N801-AR at TigerDirect.com

Seems like a pretty good deal, but I have no idea what stream processors, core clock, memory clock etc. do. I saw that it had almost double stream processors as the 9600 GT (link below) so I opted to go with the 8800, but my friend told me that people had problems with the 8800 and told me to come on here, so here I am xD. (I am also on an extremely tight budget for now (no job and won't have one for at least 3 months, but I need the GPU ASAP). Any help will be appreciated :D. Thanks.

9600 GT:
EVGA GeForce 9600 GT Video Card - KO Edition, 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV 512-P3-N865-AR at TigerDirect.com

[MentaL]

[[GMs]]

i think the 9600GT is better. they are two different series u can only compare those from the same series. 9600GT's memory type is GDDR3 and 8800GT is DDR3.

here is a cheaper 9600GT if u plan on getting one
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N865-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

[teleka]

Newegg FTL xD. $10 cheaper from TD.
EVGA GeForce 9600 GT Video Card - Superclocked, 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card 512-P3-N862-AR at TigerDirect.com

[Rishwin]

8800GT is better, get that

[teleka]

Thanks, I thought so. How much of a difference does 48 stream processors make?

[NoPeace]

i think the 9600GT is better. they are two different series u can only compare those from the same series. 9600GT's memory type is GDDR3 and 8800GT is DDR3.

here is a cheaper 9600GT if u plan on getting one
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N865-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

What you said would have been true in the past but not anymore.

Both AMD/ATI and nVidia new series are the same as their old series.

The 9600GT is based off of the G92 architecture that the 8800GT is off of. The difference is that it has less enabled.

For the 9800 GTX and 9800 GX2, they are the same chip as the 8800GT though they are just running at higher speeds or 2 of them together.

Same with AMD/ATI. Their 38x0 series is based off the same technology behind their 2900 series cards. Just smaller chips that can run faster and support DX10.1 (which isn't a big deal).

In the end they take the same cards and give them new names.

Now as for what is better... 600 = mid grade and 800 = high end. That should be enough.

The 8800GT is the better card of the two but the 9600GT is still a good card.

You are really looking at how much you want to spend. Two 9600GTs cost a little more then a 8800GT and the same as the 8800GTS and is much faster. Though if you can afford two 8800GTs then that would be the better solution.

Right now the tier of cards goes from 9600 GT, two 9600GT, 3870X2, two 8800GT.

Pick the solution you can afford.

NoPeace - out

[teleka]

I think what I'll do is I will get one 8800 GT card and in the future if I need to, or I have more than adequate money, I will buy a second one :). Thanks for the help NoPeace.

[NoPeace]

Better off buying 2 9600s at the moment. By the time you go and buy a second 8800GT there will be a better solution to spend your money on.

NoPeace - out

[teleka]

There is a $50 difference between the 8800 GT and the 9600 GT. I won't be able to afford another 9600 for a while after I buy the first one, cause I will still need to buy a monitor, keyboard, hdd, and besides 2 8800's will last me at least a year or more for what I need it for(I will probably be able to afford another one midway through summer).

[NoPeace]

There is a $50 difference between the 8800 GT and the 9600 GT. I won't be able to afford another 9600 for a while after I buy the first one, cause I will still need to buy a monitor, keyboard, hdd, and besides 2 8800's will last me at least a year or more for what I need it for(I will probably be able to afford another one midway through summer).

If that's the case then the 8800 is the better option.

I usually see 9600 GT at about $150 and the 8800GT at $250. So for $50 more you can get dual 9600GTs.

NoPeace - out

[jointhegroups]

8800GT is a good choice, the one you mentioned is only $180, looks cool