Help me - 8600GT DDR2 or DDR3

I'll be getting a nVidia 8600GT PCIe card this weekend. I have seen cards with DDR2 and DDR3 memory. My choices are between 512MB DDR2 and 256MB DDR3.

Is there a real performance difference in between these 2 memories used with 8600GT?

I did google around but i couldnt get any relevant hits. Any pointers to reviews/sites on this issue?

@m1ddy he's talking about the 8600, not the 8800, although supposedly there WILL be a 256mb version of the 8800gt (I seriously doubt they would use ddr2 with that tho).

@Griffin, I'd say get the 256mb ddr3 version, as there is a performance difference, (can't say how big, but the gap in memory frequencies is pretty wide), and the 256MB version outperforms it. The only time the 512mb version would outperform the 256mb version is when you use a resolution (and aa?) that required more than 256mb frame buffer, and both cards will probably be unplayable at this resolution anyway. So in this case, definitely faster memory over more memory. If you want a source, check out the "Best cards for the money Dec 07 article on the front page of Toms", it doesn't give any numbers, but it does state the fact. If you want numbers, I suggest you check out the VGA charts, and if they bothered to include the ddr2 version, you will see how big of a performance difference there is. You sure you don't want a Radeon 3850 instead?

8600GT ddr2 < 8600GT ddr3
the ddr2 version should be called GS sameway as the 7600 cards

Thanks guys for the replies

For what its worth, I'll be playing at 1024x768 with all the eyecandy turned on at max (AA, AF, Shadowing, Lighting, etc).

I guess i'll go with the 256MB DDR3 since all of you are emphatic that it is better than 512MB DDR2

@Ararat
I intend to use this config with Linux and Solaris. nVidia has better driver support for alternative OSes than ATI, so I've ruled out the Radeons

The DDR3 is the better card. If you are only going to run 1024x768 for games, I can't see you using all of the 256MB.

You should really consider the ATI HD 3850 256mb. It's on par with the 8800GTS 320mb and it's only $179. It's more expensive than the 8600GT DDR3 model, but it's a hell of a lot better and will be a lot more future proof than a 8600GT , even at 1024x768. The 8600gt performs pretty much like the 7600gt.

Ahh no its as good as the 8800GTS 320mb.
Its here.
Sapphire 3850 512mb. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102715 $199

MSI OCed 3850 256mb. $169
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127313