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?

I did not know they were making 8800GT with 256mb. AFAIK they are all 512mb DDR3. Can you give some links of where you have seen these?

@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?

Why not just get the ddr3 version of the card with the 512MB Memory?
There are several around MSI and the Sparkle Calibre series (may have spelt it wrong)
From all my research the 8600GT Base model card with DDR3 is the bare minum I would got to get basic gaming results. The DDR2 versions are cheaper for a reason.
Haven't seen any test for the DDR2 versions, but theres anought evidence to show I wouldn't want to go any slower then the base model.

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

yeah there are some **** vendors who try to trick you by increasing memory amount but decreasing memory speeds.

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

They are making a 8800GT w/ 256 MB, its supposed to be sub $200, and out around now. I have not seen any of these cards for sale anywhere yet, but reviews of these cards are just coming out (this review isn't great):
http://www.motherboards.org/review [...] 733_1.html

Stay away from the 8600GT like the plague. Use your $ wisely and either wait for the Nvidia Geforce 8800GT 256 MB or get a ATI Radeon HD3850 256 MB (or 512 mB) now.

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.

@badgtx1969
I'm getting this card for a new rig this weekend. Cannot wait till 256 8800GT show up, and again the pricing on this seems unclear to me. The 8800GT 512MB right now cannot fit into my budget.

Besides looking at Crysis FPS rates in reviews with all the eyecandy turned on, all cards, including the 8800GT 512MB seems to have trouble giving high FPS (~ 30-40 for 8800GT 512MB).

I guess I'll go with the 8600GT 256MB DDR3 for now, and probably get a new card 1.5 - 2yrs down the line. I suppose that by that time I would get a much better card at the same pricepoint as the 8800GT today.

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.

8600GT 512MB review: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=g [...] rticID=630

It's not so bad, but I'd go with ATI's 3850 512MB if you can find one, although it's in fact significantly slower than a 8800 320MB

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

And its (8800 GT 256 MB) officially being sold!!!
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] 6mb-newegg
Can your budget do $210?

Still in stock at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] sc=8800+gt