10 Graphics Cards On
NVIDIA GeForce 8500/8600 GPUs

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [1P] Next: Part 2 >>

ASUS EN8600GTS TOP 256MB PCI-E Foxconn GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E Foxconn GeForce 8600 GT O/C Edition 256MB PCI-E Foxconn GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E Gigabyte GV-NX86S256H Silent 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8500GT-TD256E 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8600GT-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8600GTS-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E Palit GeForce 8500 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E Palit GeForce 8600 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E

A new series of low- and mid-end graphics cards, based on NVIDIA G84/G86 GPUs, debuted over a month ago.

They share a common distinguishing feature - support for DirectX 10 and unified shaders (that is the GeForce 8800 architecture comes down to cheaper solutions).

As a result, we are offered the following types of graphics cards:

1. NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS (G84) 256MB GDDR3, 675/1450/2000 MHz, 32 unified processors/16(?) TMUs/8 ROPs - check
2. NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT (G84) 256MB GDDR3, 540/1180/1600 MHz, 32 unified processors/16(?) TMUs/8 ROPs - check
3. NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT (G86) 256MB GDDR2, 460/900/800 MHz, 16 unified processors/8 TMUs/8 ROPs - check

We've already reviewed the top product based on 8600GTS in a large baseline article about the new architecture. Our today's article will describe several cards based on this GPU, but we'll pay most attention to cheaper solutions: 8500GT and 8600GT.

We examined ten graphics cards from various manufacturers, so the article will be long. Unfortunately, none of the 8600GT-based cards operate at stock frequencies (both cards are overclocked). But in our opinion, it won't be a problem to evaluate such products in their price range.

Graphics Cards

ASUS EN8600GTS TOP 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GTS (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 745/1620 MHz (nominal - 675/1450 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1145 (2290) MHz (nominal - 1000 (2000) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
Foxconn GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8500 GT (G86) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 460/918 MHz (nominal - 460/918 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 400 (800) MHz (nominal - 400 (800) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 16 Texture processors: 8 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: DVI (Dual-Link), VGA, TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: not available.
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GT Overclocked Edition 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GT (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 560/1112 MHz (nominal - 540/1180 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 780 (1560) MHz (nominal - 700 (1400) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x32 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GTS (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 675/1450 MHz (nominal - 675/1450 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1000 (2000) MHz (nominal - 1000 (2000) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
Gigabyte GV-NX86S256H Silent 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GTS (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 675/1450 MHz (nominal - 675/1450 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1000 (2000) MHz (nominal - 1000 (2000) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x33 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: blue RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
MSI NX8500GT-TD256E 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8500 GT (G86) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 460/918 MHz (nominal - 460/918 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 400 (800) MHz (nominal - 400 (800) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 16 Texture processors: 8 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: DVI (Dual-Link), VGA, TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: not available.
MSI NX8600GT-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GT (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 580/1180 MHz (nominal - 540/1180 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 800 (1600) MHz (nominal - 700 (1400) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
MSI NX8600GTS-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GTS (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 700/1450 MHz (nominal - 675/1450 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 1050 (2100) MHz (nominal - 1000 (2000) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).
Palit GeForce 8500 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8500 GT (G86) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 600/1180 MHz (nominal - 460/918 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 600 (1200) MHz (nominal - 400 (800) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 16 Texture processors: 8 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x15 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: DVI (Dual-Link), VGA, TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: not available.
Palit GeForce 8600 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
GPU: GeForce 8600 GT (G84) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 600/1180 MHz (nominal - 600/1180 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 800 (1600) MHz (nominal - 700 (1400) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 32 Texture processors: 16 ROPs: 8 Dimensions: 190x100x33 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness of a graphics card). PCB color: green RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU. Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link), TV-Out. VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU. Multi-GPU operation: SLI (Hardware).

ASUS EN8600GTS TOP 256MB PCI-E Foxconn GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E Gigabyte GV-NX86S256H Silent 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8600GTS-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
Each graphics card has 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in four chips on the front side of the PCB. Samsung memory chips (GDDR3). 1.0 ns memory access time, which corresponds to 1000 (2000) MHz.
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GT Overclocked Edition 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8600GT-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
Each graphics card has 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in four chips on the front side of the PCB. Samsung memory chips (GDDR3). 1.4 ns memory access time, which corresponds to 700 (1400) MHz.
Foxconn GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E MSI NX8500GT-TD256E 256MB PCI-E
Each graphics card has 256 MB of GDDR2 SDRAM allocated in eight chips on the front side of the PCB. Hynix memory chips (GDDR2). 2.5 ns memory access time, which corresponds to 400 (800) MHz.
Palit GeForce 8500 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
The graphics card has 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in four chips on the front side of the PCB. Infineon memory chips (GDDR3). 1.2ns memory access time, which corresponds to 800 (1600) MHz.
Palit GeForce 8600 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
The graphics card has 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM allocated in four chips on the front side of the PCB. Infineon memory chips (GDDR3). 1.3 ns memory access time, which corresponds to 750 (1500) MHz.

Comparison with the reference design, front view
Foxconn GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
MSI NX8500GT-TD256E 256MB PCI-E
Palit GeForce 8500 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GT Overclocked Edition 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
MSI NX8600GT-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
Palit GeForce 8600 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
ASUS EN8600GTS TOP 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Gigabyte GV-NX86S256H Silent 256MB PCI-E
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E
MSI NX8600GTS-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E

Comparison with the reference design, back view
Foxconn GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
MSI NX8500GT-TD256E 256MB PCI-E
Palit GeForce 8500 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GT Overclocked Edition 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
MSI NX8600GT-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E
Palit GeForce 8600 GT Sonic 256MB PCI-E
ASUS EN8600GTS TOP 256MB PCI-E	Reference card NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Gigabyte GV-NX86S256H Silent 256MB PCI-E
Foxconn GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB PCI-E
MSI NX8600GTS-TD256E-OC 256MB PCI-E

Photos of the cards show that all 8600GTS models are copies of the reference design. ASUS and Foxconn present reference cards, manufactured at Flextronics or other plants by NVIDIA's orders. Partners of the Californian company have nothing to do with manufacturing these cards. Except for the graphics card from Gigabyte, which has its own design. The card does not have an external power connector. That is the card is designed to be powered from the PCI-E slot only (it provides up to 75 W). I don't understand why the reference design provides for external power supply. Engineers just wanted to be on the safe side and help overclockers :). The card manufactured by MSI also copies the reference design.

As we can see, the 8500GT reference design is similar to the 7600GS, which also uses DDR2 memory. Except for Palit cards. This manufacturer has been practicing this design for almost Middle- and Low-End solutions. In this case we can see a 8500GT card from Palit with DDR3 memory instead of DDR2. That's why there are only four memory chips instead of eight.

8600GT-based graphics cards are similar to 7600GT in the layout of memory chips. But on the whole, their design is unique.

The cards have TV-Out with a unique jack. You will need a special bundled adapter to output video to a TV-set via S-Video or RCA. You can read about the TV-Out in more detail here.

Analog monitors with d-Sub (VGA) interface are connected with special DVI-to-d-Sub adapters. Maximum resolutions and frequencies:

• 240 Hz Max Refresh Rate
• 2048 x 1536 x 32bit x85Hz Max - analog interface
• 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz Max - digital interface (all DVI jacks with Dual-Link)

Speaking of MPEG2 playback features (DVD-Video), we analyzed this issue in 2002. Little has changed since that time. CPU load during video playback on modern graphics cards does not exceed 25%. What concerns HDTV and other trendy video features, we are going to sort them out as soon as possible.

Graphics cards based on 8600GTS from ASUS and Foxconn require additional power supply. So each card has a black 6-pin connector. The cards are bundled with a splitter to connect to any power cable with a Molex in case your PSU does not have this cable.