Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > 512mb 8800gt vs 256mb

512mb 8800gt vs 256mb

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - 512mb 8800gt vs 256mb

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
dolphan34   07-02-2008 at 09:59:20 AM

Hi, I was just curious if there was a big difference between an 8800gt that was 512mb or 256mb, both being 256bit. Thanks.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
pcgamer12   07-02-2008 at 10:10:46 AM
- 1 +

512MB VRAM is the minimum these days. Do not get a modern GPU for gaming that has less than 512MB of VRAM. 256MB restricts performance too much. It's like having too little RAM and having your HHD thrash and watch performance drop. Except with low VRAM, it has to swap data when it's full which drops performance like no other.


Message edited by pcgamer12 on 07-02-2008 at 10:11:45 AM
Reply to pcgamer12
randomizer   07-02-2008 at 10:28:21 AM
- 1 +

For ATI cards, 256MB is enough for resolutions up to 1280x1024 and even 1600x1200 on non-demending games. For Nvidia cards, 256MB will cause it to choke and die above 1280x1024. A 256MB HD3850 will kill a 256MB 8800GT, you MUST get the 512MB 8800GT or look for something else. Putting 256MB on an 8800GT is blasphemy.


Message edited by randomizer on 07-02-2008 at 10:28:58 AM
Reply to randomizer
zipz0p   07-02-2008 at 10:29:40 AM
- 1 +

Since nobody else has said it yet, I will: shoot for AMD's 4850 if you have the extra ~$40.

Reply to zipz0p
Maziar   07-02-2008 at 11:32:37 AM
- 0 +

Hello and welcome to the forums mate :)

Here is the answer you are looking for :
8800GT 256 vs 512 vs 1024:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14230

However, consider the ATI HD 4850 too,it has a good price and performs better than a 8800GT

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Q6600@3.4+ TT V1 Cooler,SAPPHIRE HD 4870X2,ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA,4GB OCZ DDR2 800,LG W2452V 1920x1200
 Reply to Maziar
homerdog   07-02-2008 at 01:20:11 PM
- 0 +

Just say no to the 256MB 8800GT.

Even if you get an ATI card I'd make sure it has 512MB. 256MB is not going to be sufficient going forward.

Reply to homerdog
modtech   07-02-2008 at 02:13:12 PM
- 0 +

Beat up some old laddies for some quick cash and get the 4850. (JK)

Reply to modtech
jitpublisher   07-02-2008 at 03:25:09 PM
- 0 +

Maziar wrote :

Hello and welcome to the forums mate :)

 

Here is the answer you are looking for :
8800GT 256 vs 512 vs 1024:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14230

 

However, consider the ATI HD 4850 too,it has a good price and performs better than a 8800GT


It's a very interesting article. Not only does it show how badly 256 meg bottlenecks the GT, (even at 1280 x 1024 in a few of the most popular game titles) it shows clearly how useless the over-priced 1 gig cards are as well.

Reply to jitpublisher
homerdog   07-02-2008 at 03:52:11 PM
- 0 +

MrsBytch wrote :

I have the 256mb version of the 8800GT. I love the card.
I only run at 1280x1024 so its not a big deal.
From the benchies I've seen the 256mb runs neck and neck with the 512mb card up to 1280x1024, anything above that and the 512mb card starts shining.


What games do you play? Anti-aliasing?

Reply to homerdog
doomsdaydave11   07-02-2008 at 11:57:19 PM
- 0 +

The 256MB 8800GT should have never been put on the market imo. Not only does it have only half the RAM, but it's also clocked less.

If you can't afford the 8800GT, grab the 9600GT.

------------------------------ E8400 3.6Ghz | 4GB DDR2-800 | HD4870 | 780GB HDD Space | VX550W | WinXP | Win7-64 | Ubuntu Studio 8.10

 

Reply to doomsdaydave11

Maziar   07-03-2008 at 08:47:04 AM
- 0 +

Yes should have never put the 256MB model in the market

------------------------------ Q6600@3.4+ TT V1 Cooler,SAPPHIRE HD 4870X2,ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA,4GB OCZ DDR2 800,LG W2452V 1920x1200
 Reply to Maziar
jitpublisher   07-03-2008 at 02:58:28 PM
- 0 +

Kind of like buying a Corevette with a six cylinder ain't it?

Reply to jitpublisher
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > 512mb 8800gt vs 256mb
Go to:

There are 1119 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 1.017 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?