nvidia 8600 GTS 256mb vs. 8600 GT 512mb...for h.264 hw decoding...

[rhack1]

ok...i'm close to ordering a card...

i have a Dell 8400, P4, 3.6 ghz, 800 fsb, 350w power supply unit...

i need a new card to drive 100% of my h.264 hardware decoding needs...it also must work with my Dell 350w power supply...

for approx the same price, i can buy a 8600 GTS 256mb or a 8600 GT 512mb gddr3 card...

so i ask, what are the pros/cons that would drive my choice?...

also, i see that some cards have SLI-ready and non-SLI ready versions...with the non-SLI versions requiring a smaller power supply requirement...am i better off buying a non-SLI card?...i don't plan to put two cards into this machine, so i don't think SLI is needed?...

i have seen various references that a 350w power supply (my Dell oem) would support a 8600 GTS 256mb card - but the SLI-ready version says it needs 400w and the non-SLI version says it needs only 350w...once again, i don't plan on using two cards and am wondering if the SLI-version going solo needs 400w or 350w?!...

i would appreciate any advice on what to do...

am looking at EVGA cards at newegg...

thanks...R

[Chriscic]

For video decoding, I can't imagine it's going to make any difference. I believe the two cards have the exact same video-decoding hardware.

You certainly don't need SLI for HW video decoding, nor would it help at all anyway.

If you're interested in games, that's another story, but obviously this forum wouldn't be the right place to discuss anyway.

Good luck.

[rhack1]

after a few phone calls, i went with an nvidia geforce 9500 gt 512mb gddr3 card from "the egg"...unbelievably low price with rebate that expires 12/31...this card does the heavy lifting for hw decoding...and is newer...thanks....