x1800xt 256 v. 512

[silentcoercion]

So, simple enough question, but hard to find an answer to on anything I've seen, like THG's interactive VGA charts, their (shameful) ATI graphics roundup, any of Anandtech's recent stuff, or similar. That is, how much better is the performance on the x1800xt 512mb than the 256mb flavour? Price difference on Newegg right now is $60 (ignoring rebates), so I was wondering how much of a performance boost doubling the memory (as in, real numbers, as opposed to "a fair amount," or similar).

Thanks.

 

[WhatUsername]

The 1800xt is a fairly memory dependant card i hear, but the trend is you will see the same preformance until you start hitting higher resolutions(1600x1200 and up)


What resolutions do you usually game at?


check this out


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102698

 

[prozac26]

There is little or no difference. Some games see a benefit from having 512mb VRAM. Also depends on settings and resolutions. With any X1800XT you should be able to play games maxed out.

 

[pauldh]

Things could be different with the X1800XT, but with the X800XL resolution has no effect on 256MB vs 512MB. What it totally depends on is the game. The only game I have seen that reviews show 512MB makes a real difference is COD2. Besides that, I doubt most other current games would show any noticable difference at all no matter the resolution.

I know in this little review the 256MB Sapphire keeps up with the 7900GT and slightly outperforms it once you hit high resolution with AA/AF. http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=542

I am hoping Digit-life adds the 256MB Sapphire to it's charts so we can see how it directly compares to the 512MB. I went with the 256MB and would gladly compare a suite of games if someone wants to get me a 512MB version.

 

[silentcoercion]

There is little or no difference. Some games see a benefit from having 512mb VRAM. Also depends on settings and resolutions. With any X1800XT you should be able to play games maxed out.

Except on Oblivion (the primary reason I'm upgrading).

 

[pauldh]

Except on Oblivion (the primary reason I'm upgrading).

Not sure which you are referring to, the maxed out part or the 512MB not much of a difference. I upgraded just for Oblivion and the X1800XT does a great job compared to the 7800GT I had. But no it will not play with everything maxed out at 10x7 with AA/AF/and HDR or 12x10 without AA. As far as memory goes, 512MB vram makes little difference for Oblivion. Some areas there is a difference, but in the most demanding areas where framerates are at there lowest...no difference going by X800XL and 7900GT 256MB/512MB comparsisons at FS.

 

[bak]

In Ghost recon advanced warfighter you need 512 to play at max quality. I think most games in near future will need 512 mb

 

[prozac26]

Games are getting nicer and more complex, so surely they'll need better cards and more VRAM.

 

[silentcoercion]

Except on Oblivion (the primary reason I'm upgrading).

Not sure which you are referring to, the maxed out part or the 512MB not much of a difference.

Oh, the maxed out part, naturally.

And... looks like I'll probably go with the $239 x1800xt 256mb off Newegg, then. My monitor won't accommodate the ultra-high resolutions anyway, so maxing out the settings isn't as big a concern as it could be. Thanks, guys.