128 MB OF RAM vs 256 ?

[Nitrom]

Trying to buy a Radeon 9800 Pro. The issue is which card is better for the money. The 128 MB of RAM ? or the 256 ?

I find in this forum divided opinions.

I don't think this issue will be resolved easily but I am open for more comments and maybe we can have a better understanding on the performance of each card.

I have to ad that I am not a hard core gamer and the fundamentals of my system are like this:

CPU: AMD ATHLON 3200+ BARTON (NOT OVERCLOAKED)
MOBO: ABIT NF7S
HD: WD 120 GIGS 7200 RPM
MEM: CORSAIR 512 MB
PS : FORTROM AURORA 350 W

(need the video card to finish to build my system)

 

[priyajeet]

the forum is divided bcos the chioce is basically urs. More mmeory helps in grahics loaded games like Doom 3 where there are large textures etc. But more memory is also slower. 128MB RAM will be faster. So you have to urself decide from Better Texture Quality or more FPS ?

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue:

 

[fishmahn]

Generally speaking, 128MB on a video card is plenty until you get to the newest games (Doom3 is the only example I know of that can make use of more than 128). Then, does the card process fast enough to make use of the extra memory. I think the consensus is definitely not on any card slower than the 9800. On the newest cards (X800, GF6800) it seems that 256 is viable. 9800 seems to be close to the balance point.

Since you're not a hardcore gamer, get the 128 model. The price difference from 128 (about 200) to 256 (at least 260 that I've found) is enough that you can probably get a new 6800 for the price of that 256 ram'd 9800.

So, for me, 128. If you want 256, get the 6800 with 256, it's almost the same price and you get a new generation card.

Mike.

 

[sweatlaserxp]

Get the 128Mb version. It's around a $70 price difference, and if you look at the 256Mb versions you are starting to get into high-end territory and therefore you have other options. I haven't seen practically any benchmarks that demonstrate the advantage of the 256Mb model. 9800 Pro 128Mb (256-bit) is the king of the upper mid-range.

<A HREF="http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030512/geforce_fx_5900-10.html#doom_iii_special_preview" target="_new">GeForceFX 5900 Ultra: The Way FX is Meant to be Played!!</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Why do people insist on writing overcloaked?

Anywhoo, 128mb version for sure. 256mb version has alot of heat issues with the DDR2 (only ATI card with DDR2 for that reason). The performance differences are minor in comparison to the stability issues usually found.

Stick with a either the 128mb version or the R9800XT 256mb. The R9800Pro-256mb should be avoided if at all possible.

While the forum is divided on 128vs256, anyone who knows the history of the R9800-256 is likely to say go with the other ATI options.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[priyajeet]

to implicitly hide it maybe ?

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue:

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Heating problem? Well take the damn Cloak Off!


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK