Quick question about video cards

[OTSS]

I currently have a Sapphire Radeon X700 Pro 256MB Video Card, I want to get something a little faster but not expensive(this is just a small upgrade I am getting a new computer after summer), Now here are some cards in my price range, Which would be the best deal?

eVGA e-GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E w/ DVI, HDTV-Out (Passive Cooling) $64.95
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX19301(ME).aspx

eVGA e-GeForce 8500 GT 512MB PCI-E w/ DVI, HDTV-Out $79.95
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX18204(ME).aspx

eVGA e-GeForce 8600 GT 256MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out $84.95
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX16995(ME).aspx

eVGA e-GeForce 8600 GT 512MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out $119.95
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX18651(ME).aspx

eVGA e-GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out $129.95
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX16994(ME).aspx

I would like more inexpensive, like if there is not much difference between 8500 GT and 8600 GT then I would like the 8500. But if there is a big difference then I will get the 8600GT. I am assuming that the 8600GT 512MB and 8600GTS 256MB are the ones that will be recommended, so out of those 2 which is better? and how much of a difference is there from the lowest card to highest?

 

[_-..zKiLLA..-_]

one of the last too would be the best outta what u chose.

8600's are faster then 8500's but not by much. maybe enuf to just notice. if any

 

[OTSS]

between the last 2 which is better? and are the an improvement over my current card?

 

[_-..zKiLLA..-_]

i wanna say that the second to last is better (only cuz it has more memory) but thatts not always the case. im sure the clock is higher on the last one.

Edit:yeah the last ones core clock is 675 and the second to last is 540

 

[OTSS]

So are they much of an improvement over my current card?

 

[_-..zKiLLA..-_]

i wouldn't really know. i dont know as much as ATi then i do nvidia. especially comparing them. but the 8600 is a great card. just wait till more people see this thread

 

[cavemangrinder]

Get the 8600gt. Its a great mid-range card.

 

[Atomic Rooster]

Any of the 8600GTs you have chosen are much faster than a X700. I'd get the e-GeForce 8600 GT 256MB for $84.95. It will work just as well as any of the other 8600GTs you have chosen, plus it's $30 cheaper.

 

[OTSS]

Will that card work just as well as the GTS or is the GTS alot better? I would be willing to get any of the cards and if the GTS is much better than the GT than I will get the GTS

 

[Atomic Rooster]

The GTS is a bit better than the GT. But I don't think it's worth the extra $45. The GT could easily be overclocked to match the GTS performance.