GeForce 6600GT or 6800??

[bill1971]

Getting the itch to build a gaming box.

Price/ performance-wise, I pretty much decided on the 6600 GT, which are currently in the $220 range. ( 500 MHz core / 1000 MHz memory ).

I've run across a 6800 ( 325 core / 700 memory ), for around $285.

I'm a little confused. Why does the more expensive 6800 run slower than the less expensive 6600GT? I believe both are 256-bit memory bandwidth, and 128MB.

Does the 6800 have more pixel pipelines, etc.? What is the difference, and which is the better buy, from a price/performance standpoint?

I will most probably put this in what will be my first Athlon 64 (3000) 939-pin build, with 2 x 512MB PC3200, and a WD Raptor HDD, and maybe even bite the bullet and go with an Asus SLI board.

Thanks, as always, for any and all input.

- Bill

[Rec0n]

Well, if you do decide to get the Asus SLI its PCI-E, so you'll also be changing that 6600GT to PCI-E which is a little less expensive then the AGP ones. IMO I would go with the 6600GT, its not worth spending an exrta $85 for almost exactly the same thing. In the future when your card doesn't cut it anymore. Buy another and run in SLI mode.

[survivalhero]

or if you have money to burn you can buy a sli 6800 I have a 6800 right now... the thing you need though is good cooling and pretty much a gigi of ram and it performs nicely

[Makaveli]

Im running the 6600GT PCI-EX and I am not dissapointed. If you do a search you will find all kinds of topics on this subject.

[NAX]

survivalhero, by sli 6800 do you mean a PCI-E 6800?

If so where did you get it!

[survivalhero]

I dont have a 6800 pci lol I wish but dont they have a pci express 6800??? I know they have a 6800 gt so they must have a regular 6800

[NAX]

I had a look not that long ago and found some sites saying NVIDIA had made some chip, BR2 i think that bosted AGP 8x on the 6800 to an effective 12x.
When they tried to migrate the chipset over they had problems with the BR2 chip that suposidley caused a delay in manufacture?!

If you bump into any info on it plz post.

[Postal Dude]

The 6600 is only 128 Bit and not 256 bit. And i think the 6600 has only 8 pipelines (THINK) where as the 6800 (standard) has 12

[Xtreeme]

why bother boosting 8x to like 12x? Pointless, must be for marketing scams. Doesnt fully use 8x. More like 6x (if were such a thing). Last generation didnt even fill 4x bandwidth. When ar ethese co's going to spend $ on performance and not gimmicks.

[Friedchicken100]

i second that