NVIDIA shows off new mid-range 8300, 8500GT, and 8600GT DX10 graphics cards

They may not match up with the performance of the super high end graphics cards that we've seen from NVIDIA and ATI recently, but inevitably middle-range graphics cards are going to be the most popular with gaming enthusiasts as they invariably offer the most bang for your buck. At CeBIT last week, NVIDIA apparently accidentally put several graphics cards that it marked down simply as "New DX10 Graphics Card with HDMI" on display, which were in fact its new mid-range 8000-series of GeForce cards. On show were the passively cooled 8300, and the higher spec'ed 8500GT, and 8600GT (pictured). All feature HDCP supported HDMI ports (with sound routed to the cards through S/PDIF), Dual-Link DVI, and video RAM at 256MB each. No word on release date, but as with every other range of middle performance GPUs, you can probably expect the prices to be significantly less than their bigger brother (along with the performance, too).

[Via Trusted Reviews]

[Dave @ Mar 20th 2007 11:23AM]

Still, if they can work in SLI, there may be a sweet spot where two lower-spec'd cards perform better than (what could be) a more expensive 8800GTX. Or, perhaps the price for two lower spec'd cards will only be slightly greater--but the performance is significantly greater. I'm looking forward to the reviews.

[compstomp @ Mar 20th 2007 11:37AM]

Welsome to last weekend, Engadget.

The only way this would out perform an 8800 (any varient) in SLI is from its higher clock speed. But the overhead of SLI is likely to out weigh any benefit, and you'd be better off getting an 8800. Two of these (8600GT) won't cost less than an 8800, nor perform better.

[Steve @ Mar 20th 2007 11:41AM]

So what would be the ETA on mobile versions of these? Waiting on a DX10 card before buying another laptop, preferably a 512mb variety.

[compstomp @ Mar 20th 2007 12:07PM]

Mid-april, same as these.

[José Polanco @ Mar 20th 2007 12:12PM]

Yeah, i'm waiting for this video cards in my next 17" Super mega multimedia laptop too, and i hope i have not to wait too much.

[Anonymous @ Mar 20th 2007 1:39PM]

I purchased dual 7950GT's to run in SLI mode the day before the launch of the 8800GTX. For the same price as the 2 7950GT's I could have had the 8800GTX. I was extremely pissed off, but now I am over it.

If Crysis turns out to be insanely amazing, MAYBE I will upgrade. But with Unreal Tournament 2007 and Quake Wars:Enemy Territory coming out as DirectX 9 only, I see no real need (UT2007 is going to look INSANE, I can't see what the jump from 9 to 10 is going to do for games for atleast a few years)

[compstomp @ Mar 20th 2007 3:42PM]

I would definately wait in your situation. AMD has some 65nm monsters coming out, while initially will be in short supply, will initiate some fierce competition from Nvidia. Add in 80nm versions of the 8800s with 160 stream processors or more, and theres pleanty of reason to wait it out until fall in your case. In fact, if you want to pull some tricks, put those cards up on sale for $150 each. They'll probably sell and you can get this card for a cheap $200 (the GTS holds the $300 price point). If you're getting around 5000 3Dmarks in 3DMark06 currently, you just scored yourself a hundred dollars while staying in the same performance bracket. Just don't expect to turn up the AA like you might now. But really, it's all about HDR anyway, isn't it?

[SideSwipe @ Mar 20th 2007 9:16PM]

One would think that a company capable of cramming billions of pixels down the pipe every second would also be able to engineer some kind of display mounting other than 2 drywall screws.

[unkn @ Mar 21st 2007 1:49AM]

I'm probebly going to get an 8600GT, it'll probebly retail at 249.99 as usual, then when the X2950XT comes out, i'll buy that, and put the 8600GT in an XG station for my notebook.

I really just hope that 8600GT can play "Crysis" at atleast 1440x900rez

[Dave @ Mar 29th 2007 1:24PM]

Maybe I'm just blind or ignorant, but doesn't Dual-Link DVI require two DVI out ports? Because I only see one in that picture above of the 8600GT.