Geforce 8600 GTS 256-bit?

Question

I'm still looking for a $200-250 DX10 video card for my new pc, but got a real dilemma:

1) 8600 GTS OC: decent midrange card suffering from low memory (256mb) and 128-bit bus.

2) 8800 GTS : great high end card. but not in my price range.

I saw this site:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/238187-29-256bit-8600-real-rumours

It said an upgraded version of the 8600 GTS should be coming in June 2007 with increased memory (512mb) and a wider memory bus of 256-bit.

However, as of today, I've only seen a 512mb version of 8600gts, but not 256-bit, in north america.

Is there really a 256-bit 8600GTS coming soon?

I would really like to get the 256-bit version of 8600GTS. I hope it arrives on canadian shores soon!

I think it'd be a mid-range king!

Answer 1

No credible evidence of a 256 bit version coming anytime soon. Also remember that the memory bus is not the only factor that slows the 8600GTS down, it has a small number of shaders which also holds it down. If you were speaking in American dollars, I would just spend the handful extra to get the 8800GTS. If that was Canadian dollars, then I would forego DX10 for the moment and go with something like the X1950Pro or the 7950GT, they will outperform the 8600GTS. Or wait a little while, when the 8900s or the 9800s come out, depending on who you listen to, the 8800GTS will drop down into your price range.

Answer 2

go for the 8800 gts 320mb (not the 640)

it is actually a very very good card...however it is $280 which is $30 above your max price range

but if you can get a bit more, it would be great to buy on newegg.com or just in a retail store