MSI NX8600GT-T2D256E OC GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Best card $116 can buy

Reviewed By: Rit on 9/7/2007

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Did a lot of research on what card to upgrade from my 6600gt for around $100. Went with this one and I'm very happy I did. BF2 runs on max settings/res. flawless.

Cons: None so far. Download the driver at Nvidia's website.

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Not bad for the money

Reviewed By: HouseMusicRules on 5/1/2007

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

Pros: 1. Very low cost. I picked mine up for only CAD$169 plus taxes.
2. Comes overclocked at 580/800 from reference 8600GT at 540/700.
3. Very low CPU usage (<5%) on my C2D E6400 for video playback (inc. XviD/DivX, MPEG2, WMV). Even Windows Media HD playback results in only ~10% CPU usage.
4. Two yellow coloured dual-link DVI ports supporting 2560x1680.

Cons: 12V stock fan/cooler is unacceptably loud. To the point where I would return the card. Luckily there is a very simple fix for this as there is a 2nd 5V dongle sticking out of the stock cooler/fan apparently doing nothing. See for info on how to change it from 12V to 5V. This makes a HUGE difference in the reduction of noise. I then loaded the GPU to 100% to see if temps would get too high at the lower 5V, but they didnt exceed 56C so I was well within the safe temperature ranges.

Other Thoughts: I'm very happy w/ the card. At a CAD$169 price point it is a great deal. Most of the mixed reviews on the card centre on the high MSRP for the 8600GT. If you can get yours at a low price it def'n is a great card. Note that in the Toronto area the cheapeast ATI X1950 Pro cards (the 8600GT's greatest competition according to the reviews) still sells for over CAD$200 after rebates at this time. So I think the MSI 8600 GT is a priced right.

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Reviewed By: on 7/7/2008

Tech Level: average - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: great deal for the money

Cons: as with all graphics cards, by the time they're cheap, they're outdated

Other Thoughts: replaced my old 6600 (garbage) that my comp came with. i went from being unable to bioshock to being able to play it on full settings - which is good since that was the sole reason why i upgraded at the time.

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Great card for starter pc

Reviewed By: on 6/30/2008

Tech Level: somewhat low - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Runs most games well. Crysis -> Medium @ 1680x1050 30-40 fps dx9 Age of Conan -> Medium@ 1680x1050, shader 3.0 about 30fps down to 10, with 2.0 i can get 30-60 fps outdoors with shadows off and max view distance. COD4 Runs 40fps @1680x1050. Haven't had any issues with this card. Just isn't running what I need it to

Cons: Limited at 256 mb, would only buy if you really need a gfx card for cheap. Otherwise, I'd suggest buying a 9800gtx for only hundred or so bucks.

Other Thoughts: Great card for anyone running any game pre 2007. or maybe that came out in 2007.

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MSI 8600gt

Reviewed By: shaggy56 on 6/29/2008

Tech Level: high - Ownership: more than 1 year

Pros: Good Value

Price has always been fairly low

Fast for what it is

cheap to sli

runs newer games unless you count Crysis

Cons: runs most newer games but need to sli for higher hd graphics. 1600x1200 and above

Not the best card if you want to run 1920x1200 resolutions

Other Thoughts: You cant beat the price since it runs everything perfectly up to 1280x1024 then you will probably sli it. Tested 100% with COD4.

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