Memory or GPU: which is more important?

[Cruton]

I have found two Ati cards:

ATI Radeon X1650 PRO with 512mb for 182.99

ATI Radeon X1950 PRO with 256mb for 208.44

Because both of these cards are relatively equally priced, should I go for more memory or for a faster GPU? In the long run will a faster GPU or more memory get me farther?

~Cruton

 

[enforcerfx]

The X1950pro will blow away any X1650pro. Go for it.

 

[Gary_Busey]

The X1950Pro by far.

 

[Anoobis]

No, you have found only one card. The X1950Pro.

 

[Blacken]

Comparing the two, the 256mb X1950 will wreck the 512mb X1650 - even at high resolutions and dense graphical games, more memory on the X1650 won't compare to the lesser memory on the X1950.

If they were the same GPU, sure.

 

[kaotao]

Comparing the two, the 256mb X1950 will wreck the 512mb X1650 - even at high resolutions and dense graphical games, more memory on the X1650 won't compare to the lesser memory on the X1950.

If they were the same GPU, sure.

Agreed. Even then, there wouldn't be a big difference.

 

[Primitivus]

You have your answer

 

[prozac26]

X1950Pro owns a X1600 all day long.

 

[chuckshissle]

Yeah, get the 1950Pro it's better. Also you need good amount of ram as well to run games at high settings.

 

[dragonsprayer]

if you read the recent article on x1950 pro with 256 vs 512 you see the extra memory on helpd at really high resolutions.

as you have a better card you need more memory.

you will get better performace from the 1950 with 256 then the 1650 with 512 - the only thing that might change that is if you computer memory is very small like 512 and you are using all of it.

get the x1950 pro 256 we have it - it rocks

 

[Cruton]

Wow, and I thought that this could go either way! Thanks for your replies. Here is the system I am planning on building:

Asus M2R32-MVP
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
Corsair 6400 XMS2 2GB
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO (256)
Pioneer DVR-111D
Sony DDU-1615 DVD-ROM
WD Caviar RE2 500GB
Sabrent 52-in-1
Logitech G11 Keyboard
Logitech G7 Mouse
Vista Ultamate
Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset

All for $1262

 

[itheral]

Just a question... Any reason you're not going C2D?

 

[kaotao]

No problem.

 

[bLAKEpERKINS]

Just a question... Any reason you're not going C2D?

don't think he has to explain himself to you, if he wants AMD he can buy AMD. If he wants to by a Geforce 6300 for a gaming PC, he can. Mabye he is waiting out the next architecture for the AM2. Does it really matter?

 

[Primitivus]

You don't have to get upset. Yes, the OP can do anything he wants and he doesn't HAVE to explain himself to anyone, but all Itheral did was ask a question, and what's more, a reasonable one.

 

[bLAKEpERKINS]

don't read emotion in my post, as i did not put any there (eg: a smiley face etc etc). You seen the 6000+ ? pretty close to the e6700. when it moves to 65nm it could be better (excluding the interger benches where it gets raped)

 

[blade85]

here we go again...another argument.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

gpu

 

[rosu9801]

Well gpu or memory depends on what apps and stuff your using most, right?
Id say upgrade both, if either one is slacking it affects the other.
But im a n00b so what do i know. =)

Edit: Ok i read that as system memory not graphics memory, thats why you should read the initial post so you dont forget what its all about....

 

[geminireaper]

don't read emotion in my post, as i did not put any there (eg: a smiley face etc etc). You seen the 6000+ ? pretty close to the e6700. when it moves to 65nm it could be better (excluding the interger benches where it gets raped)

Actually it score slightly better than the E6600 and gets beat by the E6700 hence the reason why its priced in between the E6600 and E6700. However teh 6000+ runs alot hotter and uses alot more power. If he is buying a PC right at this very moment Core 2 Duo is the way to go. The C2D E6300 for around the same price is clearly the winner.

 

[Cruton]

I'm cool with explaining myself thanks everyone for sticking up for me, w/o that discussion, I wouldn't have understood the acronym C2D.

1) I am and always will be and AMD fan. I like the competition AMD brings to the CPU industry. I know that C2D beats out X2, but I will be content with the speed I will be getting.

2) My wife gave me a $1,000 budget. I already have a case, ps and ram bought. I feel that the X2 4600+ will give me the best bang for under $200-(The E6600 is over $300).

 

[Dr_asik]

The best bang for your buck for under 200$ would be a C2D 6300. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

It is better than an X2 4600+, especially considering the HUGE overclocking potential. I think even with the stock fan you could easily overclock it by 25%.

 

[Anoobis]

If you don't plan on overclocking then the X2 4600 will do you just fine but if you do plan to overclock you might want to consider an E4300 or E6300. Once overclocked they'll hand the X2 4600 it's ass for the same cost as the X2 4600.

Also, that Patriot memory that they just reviewed might be a little cheaper (after rebate) than the Corsair stuff you have selected. It will easily perform just as good while saving you a few bucks. The rebate ends soon so you'd better act fast on it.

 

[mjmcmahon]

if you read the recent article on x1950 pro with 256 vs 512 you see the extra memory on helpd at really high resolutions.

as you have a better card you need more memory.

you will get better performace from the 1950 with 256 then the 1650 with 512 - the only thing that might change that is if you computer memory is very small like 512 and you are using all of it.

get the x1950 pro 256 we have it - it rocks

what if the GPUs were significantly closer: i.e. a 1950Pro 512MB vs a 1950XT 256MB???

 

[slashzapper]

NOOOOOOOOO get the x1650 pro its the fastest card on the planet :roll: ... :lol:

are you thick or something its like comparing a f1 car to a ford