how much of a difference x1800xt 256mb or 512mb

[monkey999]

how much of a difference am i going to notice if i get a x1800xt and i get the 256 instead of the 512

all i need is a vid card so far i have
opteron 165
1gig ram ocz
550watt powersupply
asus a8n5x mobo

 

[guyinyourattic37]

I won't think very much unless ur playing at High-Res.

 

[RichPLS]

The cards are identical other than the memory size.
So as long as the card can keep up with the graphic details chosen they will perform similar.

 

[mad_fitzy]

More RAM

 

[jaguarskx]

Game Resolution:

1024x768 - No

1280x1024 - Maybe a little bit

1600x1200 - Yes

 

[pauldh]

It will also depend on the game. Some games have shown zero difference between identical clocked 256MB and 512MB cards. COD2 seems to benefit from 512MB ram with a 512MB X800XL beating a 256MB X850XT. I haven't seen any tests between the X1800XT's but if anyone is willing to buy me a 512MB one, I'll do loads of comparisons for them I went with the 256MB version to save the $40.

 

[pauldh]

Game Resolution:

1024x768 - No

1280x1024 - Maybe a little bit

1600x1200 - Yes

I don't think it's that simple. Look at Firingsquads 512MB vs. 256MB Oblivion comparison.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/oblivion_mainstream_performance/page2.asp

The X800XL at medium settings show zero gain in having 512MB, actually the increased mem latency slowed it down a fraction. Then the 7900GT 256MB vs down(equally)clocked 7900GTX 512MB, only showed an improvement in the mountains, and not in the foliage or indoors. And the largest improvement was at lower res. If you increase the res to 16x12, they almost tie in the mountains. So in Oblivion, it's a very limited increase under max details, and since foliage shows no difference and foliage is the most demanding area that will determine the settings that are playable, I don't see 512MB helping much with the 7900GT. Only thing bothering me when making the decision is the X1800XT is a much better oblivion card than the 7900GT, so maybe there is more of a 512MB boost for the X1800XT. Since I upgraded for Oblivion alone, based on these results, I decided to save the cash and get the 256MB version. For $25 or less I would have grabbed the 512MB though.

 

[jaguarskx]

Game Resolution:

1024x768 - No

1280x1024 - Maybe a little bit

1600x1200 - Yes

I don't think it's that simple. Look at Firingsquads 512MB vs. 256MB Oblivion comparison.



Nothing is ever simple. My statement is just a generalization because some game will benefit from the extra 256mb and others will not benefit. Unless benchmarks are widely available that compares both configurations for most or all games, then it is impossible to to tell what the impact will be for a specific game.

More RAM generally helps with high quality textures and more textures being loaded (i.e. higher screen resolutions).

 

[pauldh]

Exactly, why I commented, as you posted a simple - 10x7 no, 12x10 maybe, and 16x12 yes response without any explanation; which clearly is not the case. What is going to matter is the game. COD2 512MB helps, Doom 3 ultra textures it helps, most other games I have seen 512MB doesn't help. I'd still like to see the 256MB X1800XT pitted against the 512MB X1800XT in a bunch of games as most comparisons are using slower cards like the X800XL.

 

[WOWchamp]

I got the 512MB version... so mail me your card paul and I can bench!!! LOL jk...

I too think it may have been wizer to go 256MB and save 40$, but o well... id just waste the money on dumb stuff so I guess you could call it a wizer investment.