For RTS games which is better to spend more on?

Since ill be playing more RTS games then any other. So what would be better of an RTS, a faster CPU or a better graphics card. I.E. would I see better peformance from have an higher spec ITEL CPU instead of a cheaper AMD. Or is a better graphics card the way to go. The card I picked for my build is a XFX 8600GT. Would it be better to spend more on the graphics card, like getting an 8800GT.

whatever you do, DON'T buy the 8600 gt. If you want a cheap card, get the 9600 GSO or the 9600 GT if you can. The 8600 GT is bad.strider_ATI

[QUOTE="strider_ATI"]whatever you do, DON'T buy the 8600 gt. If you want a cheap card, get the 9600 GSO or the 9600 GT if you can. The 8600 GT is bad.clyde46

Since ill be playing more RTS games then any other. So what would be better of an RTS, a faster CPU or a better graphics card. I.E. would I see better peformance from have an higher spec ITEL CPU instead of a cheaper AMD. Or is a better graphics card the way to go. The card I picked for my build is a XFX 8600GT. Would it be better to spend more on the graphics card, like getting an 8800GT.

clyde46

You'd be better to spend it on the higher model card than a 8600GT. The 8880GT is replaced by the 9600GT which is same performance as 8800GT, 9800GT is little better than 8800GT, now though. 8800GT is hard to find. 9600GT is cheapest card that I would drop too in my opinion. Get one of those and try go for a Quad core for RTS that helps.

You'd be better to spend it on the higher model card than a 8600GT. The 8880GT is replaced by the 9600GT which is same performance as 8800GT, 9800GT is little better than 8800GT, now though. 8800GT is hard to find. 9600GT is cheapest card that I would drop too in my opinion. Get one of those and try go for a Quad core for RTS that helps.

teddyrob

[QUOTE="teddyrob"]

You'd be better to spend it on the higher model card than a 8600GT. The 8880GT is replaced by the 9600GT which is same performance as 8800GT, 9800GT is little better than 8800GT, now though. 8800GT is hard to find. 9600GT is cheapest card that I would drop too in my opinion. Get one of those and try go for a Quad core for RTS that helps.

RayvinAzn

Of course it is it's own card but yes 9600GT offers the same performance as a 8800GT. I've tested them throughly myself and Tomshardware says the difference is 1 FPS difference. 9600GT better with AA 8800GT better without. I've had both. 9800GT is slightly better than he 8800GT. The 9000 series was brought in to replace the 8000 series because the 9000 series is cheaper to build. 9600GT is simple 3 times better than the 8600GT. You can't compare those 2 in terms of performance. 9600GT is vastly suprior to the 8600GT . 9600GT ~ 8800GT

And don't say just 1 game because I've got lots of benchmarks which show the same.

$610 after rebates.darx55

[QUOTE="darx55"]$610 after rebates.clyde46

My budget is about 500 Pounds, I have a screen, keyboard and mouse already.clyde46

Prices of components have shot up recently. I spent £500 on my computer a while back.

This was best I could do.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

Of course it is it's own card but yes 9600GT offers the same performance as a 8800GT. I've tested them throughly myself and Tomshardware says the difference is 1 FPS difference. 9600GT better with AA 8800GT better without. I've had both. 9800GT is slightly better than he 8800GT. The 9000 series was brought in to replace the 8000 series because the 9000 series is cheaper to build. teddyrob

On TigerDirect.com, you can get a GeForce 9500 GT for at least 70-80 dollars. I'm pretty sure it's better than the 8600 GT. As for your question, I suggest getting a new video card to have higher FPS.SuperGamer911