Hey guys, Im thinking of buying a new graphics card for my old machine, but Ive got two problems: first of all, I still have an AGP motherboard, so no PCIe cards and secondly, my budget is, lets say, rather restrained. My two alternatives:

AGP GEFORCE 7600GS MSI 512MB TV/DVI
or
AGP GEFORCE 7600GT 256MB TV/DVI

does anyone know which one would be better? The price difference is of 4 quids, so nothing worth speaking of. In my humble knowledge of hardware, Id say: more memory: more performance. More expensive: better. So the 7600 GS would be what id buy. Anyone knows the difference between GT and GS? what would you advise me?

EDIT: Just found a 7600 GT with 512 mb, same price...
Thanks in advance!

Ok here's my (slightly limited) opinion...

For starters more memory isnt always more performance. For texture intensive, big big games it can be helpful as less texture information will be cached. Things like load times could be better.

The GT and GS suffixes are usually a bit more to go on. The GT will be running it's CPU and likely memory at (slightly) higher clockspeeds so would usually mean better performance. The problem here is they are both the same chipset (7600) so the difference wont be massive. *edit* GPU: 160mhz higher Mem: 600mhz faster on the GT, actually quite a bit.

I'm actually running a 7600GS se (no fan) 512mb on my other internet machine and previously that was running TF2 in 1024x768 (with everything up bar AA) absoltely fine; along with Oblivion, Company of heroes at playable rates looking good. GS usually means a cut-down or entry level version of a card e.g. < 7600GS, 7600, 7600GT, 7600GTX

If you're using the machine for current stuff, like TF2, then 256mb might well be enough and the GT might be more punchy. It will even last some time yet; even Assassin's Creed with it's crazy requirements only asks for 256mb. Long term though who knows how much graphics ram games will ask for, so it really is down to your needs.

Maybe check online for some benchmark results for the cards? If you are buying online make sure you have a good look round for prices, some models have come right down recently and prices are always dropping- it's a nightmare.

AHA! just found this for you... will check out some prices too for ya...

COMPARISON OF 7600GS to 7600GT
http://www.techspot.com/review/16-gigabyte-geforce-7600gs-7600gt/

Found an XFX model for £39.99

http://www.ciao.co.uk/XFX_GeForce_7600_GT__6462830

I'd go with the GT as the chipset will go out of date faster than the amount of ram.

Yay, thanks Khola, I will definitely look around for a GT with a decent price. Maybe I will be able to run TF2 better than in 800*600 and with everything set to low

Hurray for Khola!

For TF2 you are laughing Killa... seriously.

My internet machine is a 2ghz AMD64 3000 (the old 754pin one), gig of cheap unmatched DDR400 ram, 7600GS 512mb - It runs TF2 in max settings in 1024x768, with motion blur but no AA at full pelt- barely dropping a frame. The GT will rip that.

Of course my main TF2 machine is a little meatier- you can't afford to drop a damn frame fighting Hitoshura or one of the boys!

If you have a 2ghz ish CPU and a gig of ram you can hope to go above 1024x768 maybe with full settings, should be ok for Left 4 Dead too- unless there's a major source engine overhaul.

Good luck with it, any problems installing- shout. There are far more technically adept folks here than me. I just like graphics cards Oh and remember to uninstall ya gfx drivers before you boot the baby up!

Driver cleaner is usually a good idea when changing cards
direct download:
http://www.overclock.net/attachments/do ... tup_15.zip

Well, got the 7600GT 512MB with heatpipe, works nice and neat, cant complain at all. Cost: 60 GBP.

Thanks for the tips mates!