8800GT 512MB vs 1GB

[prejudged_fire]

The cheapest 512MB is $169, while the 1GB version is only $30 more. How much of a difference does the extra memory make? Even if its minimal, I'm still probably going to buy it 'cause $30 isn't really much at all for an extra boost. Does anyone know of any benchmarks comparing the two versions, or, even better, have any personal experience with them? Thanks in advance.

 

[Asian PingPong]

What resolution are you using?

 

[col-p-todd]

Just go for the 512 the 1gb does not perform any better than than a good 512MB. I would recomend this on:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150280

 

[prejudged_fire]

Anything higher than 1280x720 is ok with me, but my monitor goes up to 1920x1200 so it'd be nice to use its full potential.

 

[far327]

I stepped up my two 8800gt 512mb for two 800gt akimbo 1gb. I primarily play at 1900x1200 adn 2048x1536 resolutions. I noticed a nice jump in headroom from my old cards. I can play at those resolutions and still add 8-16x AF as well as 2-4x AA without hurting the end frame rate much if at all. I also use a lot of texture modifications for Oblivion so that is the main reason why I wanted more video memory. The cooler on the 1gb version is 100% better in my opinion. I used to run idle around 50c with my old cards, and with the new ones I run idle at 35c. And they run quieter. If you are going to game at 1920x1200 these cards are worth it. But keep in mind that the new 9900 g280 and g260 models are almost out... (06-18-08) Those are sporty some sweet memory too! g280 will have 1gb mem and 512mb mem bandwidth. the g260 will have something like 850mb memory and 450mb mem bandwidth. (err something close to that)... Both of those cards will run laps around anything out now.

 

[crazywheels]

it sounds like you already have your mind made up, just spend the extra $30 and get the 1gb

 

[L1qu1d]

Just go for the 512 the 1gb does not perform any better than than a good 512MB. I would recomend this on:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150280

That one will blow the Dust right into the case lol...If I would get one, I would get a dual slot version so air circulates out of the case

 

[jitpublisher]

Running 2 cards in SLI with 1 gig IS going to show a better relative performance gain with more memory over running just 1 card with more memory. Adding another card in SLI spreads the load on the GPU's and allows you to start cranking up the resolution and eye candy, and make use of some of the extra memory.
Also, the 256 bit memory buss becomes a bottleneck for over 512 meg of memory. That is why the 8800GTX with 768 meg of memory has a 384 bit wide memory buss, and these cards are still king of the hill when you really start cranking things up.
In other words, on the single card, the extra 512 meg of memory won't do you much good, as you will simply run out of GPU power first. In fact, at 1900x1200, a 512 card actually outscores the 1gig card in many scenerios.
But don't take my word for it, here are some benchmarks to prove it:
http://en.expreview.com/2007/12/30/review8800gt-how-many-memory-do-you-need%EF%BC%9F/

 

[Dalyinx]

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/683/1/

get that one. It's a beast.

 

[jitpublisher]

That one will blow the Dust right into the case lol...If I would get one, I would get a dual slot version so air circulates out of the case

For the extra $30, I would buy an 8800GTS 512 (g92) card over ANY 8800GT.
They are a little faster, have better cooling, more stream processors, and overclock extremely well.

 

[mihirkula]

8800GT 512MB vs 1GB

8800GTS 512mb.

 

[jitpublisher]

^that's the ticket!

 

[L1qu1d]

hey don't tell me tell him lol I would also go for the 8800 GTS

 

[prejudged_fire]

it sounds like you already have your mind made up, just spend the extra $30 and get the 1gb.

Kind of.. I just wanted to know how much of a gain I should expect over the 512MB version. Really, to me, $30 is practically nothing, and the extra half gig of memory sounds like it would be very beneficial in future games. And I do plan on going SLI shortly after I buy the first card.

 

[prejudged_fire]

They are a little faster, have better cooling, more stream processors, and overclock extremely well.

Huh? Every benchmark I've seen, including the VGA charts here, show the 8800 GT to be faster than the GTS.

get that one. It's a beast.

Its also $370. ~$200 is my price limit.

 

[monst0r]

it sounds like you already have your mind made up, just spend the extra $30 and get the 1gb.

Kind of.. I just wanted to know how much of a gain I should expect over the 512MB version. Really, to me, $30 is practically nothing, and the extra half gig of memory sounds like it would be very beneficial in future games. And I do plan on going SLI shortly after I buy the first card.

If the $30 is nothing to you, why not go for the GTS? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[monst0r]

They are a little faster, have better cooling, more stream processors, and overclock extremely well.

Huh? Every benchmark I've seen, including the VGA charts here, show the 8800 GT to be faster than the GTS.

I bet you're looking at the old G80 GTS. The new G92 GTS 512mb is different, and rivals the GTX.

 

[jitpublisher]

it sounds like you already have your mind made up, just spend the extra $30 and get the 1gb.

Kind of.. I just wanted to know how much of a gain I should expect over the 512MB version. Really, to me, $30 is practically nothing, and the extra half gig of memory sounds like it would be very beneficial in future games. And I do plan on going SLI shortly after I buy the first card.

Spend the extra $30 on a GTS....then buy another GTS later.....if you really want to get the most out of that $30.

 

[prejudged_fire]

I bet you're looking at the old G80 GTS. The new G92 GTS 512mb is different, and rivals the GTX.

Oh..
Any benchmarks for the new ones then? Toms uses the G80.

EDIT: Nevermind, this is a good'un.
The G92 GTS even beats the GTX! Why hadn't I heard of the new ones before? I was about to waste my money on a GT when this card out-performs it at the same price! Thanks very much for the info, guys!

 

[jitpublisher]

I bet you're looking at the old G80 GTS. The new G92 GTS 512mb is different, and rivals the GTX.

Oh..
Any benchmarks for the new ones then? Toms uses the G80.

EDIT: Nevermind, this is a good'un.
The G92 GTS even beats the GTX! Why hadn't I heard of the new ones before? I was about to waste my money on a GT when this card out-performs it at the same price! Thanks very much for the info, guys!

, Yep, I say this over and over and over and over......
Why buy an 8800GT for almost the same money, or very little less anyway.
Why buy an 9800GTX for $100-$150 more?
The 8800GTS (g92 512 meg Version) is just a smoking card for the money, there ain't much out there that will touch it at ANY price.....unless you SLI something.
I have to get an SLI board and another one before they stop making them.

 

[gow87]

SLi is not the perfect technology people seem to make it out to be? one good card will outperform 2 mediocre... Now i realise that the 88GT or GTS arent exactly mediocre.. But with the new Nvidia and ATi cards listed for release VERY VERY shortly, I don't understand why anyone would buy 2 cards right now? I'd say get the cheapest 8800GT you can get your hands on and save that extra money. Put it towards a newer series card when the prices make sense..

hell that's just my cents, but then, i don't have money to burn.

 

[B-Unit]

If your gonna wait for the new cards, why buy ANYTHING now?

 

[jitpublisher]

SLi is not the perfect technology people seem to make it out to be? one good card will outperform 2 mediocre... Now i realise that the 88GT or GTS arent exactly mediocre.. But with the new Nvidia and ATi cards listed for release VERY VERY shortly, I don't understand why anyone would buy 2 cards right now? I'd say get the cheapest 8800GT you can get your hands on and save that extra money. Put it towards a newer series card when the prices make sense..

hell that's just my cents, but then, i don't have money to burn.

Well, I would by another and SLI it because I already have one.
I never recommend buying anything new for a year. You pay a steep premium, deal with bugs,(the "new 9800GTX everybody suddenly wants is a card that comes to mind right now) although you don't have to worry about the bugs, after all it is not "new", just a rebranded 8800 series that costs a cool $100 more. I'll believe how great the new cards are in 6 months after various reiviews, the bugs are worked out, and maybe then in another 6 months when the prices come down.
The actual release will see prices at least 25%-30% higher than what everyone thinks. Remember the 8800GT's? Supposed to be under $199 at release. They were going for $269-299 at best for months after the release date. Only now are the coming down to or dropping below the expected release price!

 

[monst0r]

Well, I would by another and SLI it because I already have one.
I never recommend buying anything new for a year. You pay a steep premium, deal with bugs,(the "new 9800GTX everybody suddenly wants is a card that comes to mind right now) although you don't have to worry about the bugs, after all it is not "new", just a rebranded 8800 series that costs a cool $100 more. I'll believe how great the new cards are in 6 months after various reiviews, the bugs are worked out, and maybe then in another 6 months when the prices come down.
The actual release will see prices at least 25%-30% higher than what everyone thinks. Remember the 8800GT's? Supposed to be under $199 at release. They were going for $269-299 at best for months after the release date. Only now are the coming down to or dropping below the expected release price!

Yep, I thought I was being smart waiting until after the holiday rush to buy my 8800GT (February..). Eventually I gave up on the price drop and just bought it at $250 + an HR-03 ($50). I think it was well spent nonetheless. The 8800GTS 512MB wasn't out yet.

 

[prejudged_fire]

Agh... Does anyone have any more info on the performance on the upcoming 9900's? I thought the 9-series was geared toward the mid-range performance machines, and the 8-series is still the best for mid to high end gaming?

I'm having a hard time following all of this. The GTS 512 G92 is still the best buy even though the new cards are coming out soon? Is that what you're saying?