6600 vs 6600gt

[dbates]

I'm looking at the Gigabyte silentpipe Nvidia cards for my new HTPC build.

It seems the 6600 always has 256MB for about £85 and the 6600GT only has 128MB for about £110. What is going to be the impact of the difference in memory ? I'm likely to be running at 1280x720 - is the extra memory going to be used ? What sort of difference in speed do you think I'm likely to see (it would be nice to be able to dabble in CS:S every once in a while, but the intention is NOT that it will be a regular gaming machine).

 

[JN]

Go for the GT mate, the extra 128mb that the non-GT has won't do you any favors tbh.

Dav0s, our clan leader uses a 6600GT for CSS and gets pretty gd fps

 

[FarFarAway]

Yep the 6600 is a bit of a crap core to be honest. Nvidia did this on purpose to sell a core that has far better yields, for the same price. The 6600GT is a great chip

 

[dbates]

Isn't the GT simply a higher clocked version of the same core ?

 

[FarFarAway]

Nope

Its got more pipes, a faster core and I think it uses GDDR3

 

[JN]

Nope

Its got more pipes, a faster core and I think it uses GDDR3

And all GT's support SLI, whereas 99% of non-gt's don't

 

[dbates]

Its got more pipes, a faster core and I think it uses GDDR3

Not if you're buying AGP

Its got more pipes, a faster core and I think it uses GDDR3

Put like that it sounds like a no-brainer though.

 

[JN]

Not if you're buying AGP

Put like that it sounds like a no-brainer though.

Dat true.

Basically, get the GT and you won't be dissapointed, or get the vanilla and you will be dissapointed

 

[clive r]

I've been contemplating the same question for a while (not sure I actually need one ).

It looks like the best value is the 6800 if you can find one. Depending on your luck people are reporting serious overclocking potential with these

 

[dbates]

Well there's another question - 6600GT vs vanilla 6800. It's not for me though, as I said at the beginning, I'm looking at passive cooling for a HTPC.

 

[clive r]

as I said at the beginning, I'm looking at passive cooling for a HTPC.

Duh! (Goes back and reads original post!)

That said I believe the 6800 chip runs that bit cooler. A lot of people have reported overheating problems with the Gigabyte 6600GT cards, so you'll need good airflow. I believe there's also a new version with an air duct.

 

[Trippledence]

Most stock coolers are pap any way. I got a Zalman cooler for my 6660GT which lets me have a pretty hefty overclock and still keeps the chip nice and cool.

You can get a SCANFX (Rebranded XFX) 6600GT for around £90, from scan of cource. A pretty good bargin considering. You might want to have a look on e-bay for a second hand 6800GT as people are upgradeing.