when getting a video card, is it more important to get a card that is slightly less powerful but has more ram, of one that is more a bit powerful but has less ram? eg x1650 512mb or x1650gt 256mb
The more powerful one will perform better. There are currently no cards where you would want a lower model just because it has more ram. Even though the 8800GT has 512Mb of ram as opposed the 8800GTS' 640Mb, it still performs better because of its core power. Anything on the low/mid-range side won't even be able to take advantage of the extra memory anyway.
thanks! I figured that the 256mb x1650gt would be the better the 512mb x1650, just wanted to make sure.
yeh, they had that problem with 7300s didn't they? the DDR3 versions were ok, but the DDR2 versions sucked
also don't the amount of pixel shaders matter? How much would the performance difference between say 12 and 24 pixel shaders?
you know the shaders also matters. The 8800 GT is 112 shaders and 8800 GTS is 96 shaders whereas even 8800 GTS has 640 MB memory but the 8800 GT 512 MB outperforms it....well not only by shaders but there are some more facts that make the card a great performer almost as 8800 GTX. While choosing a card everythng matter including memory speed, core clock, shader clock etc.
All I'm looking for is a good but cheap card, don't do much gaming right now, newest game i'm playing is portal. Tomshardware said the x1650gt is best card you can get for under a $100. I just hope that if I do get the x1650gt it will be able to play SC2.
I'm sure that it will work, but the question is how well and on what quality settings? for example, I play supreme commander on my work laptop which has a x1600 in it. I have to turn down everything and i cant play large maps though.
It should be able to run portal on high setting 1024x768. I know that because I can play portal at 800x600 med to low, on a geforce 7025. Sc2 apperantly need 128mb card with pixel shader 2.0. But what about games likes World in Conflict, and games like that?
for newer games with older technology, always check the suggested specs, not the minimum specs of the game itself. since different games will work differently with the same hardware. I know thats not a direct answer to your question, but with all the games out there i think its the best way to go.
Thanks for all your help! I just have one last question what is the best dx 9, ati card that i can run on a antec basiq 380w power supply? the maximum amps the power supply has on the 2 12v rails is 17a on each.
It also depends what resolution you're running. If you are running some monster resolution, displaying all those textures is going to need a video card with an abundance of memory. If you are running a "standard" resolution, more power + less RAM = WIN
I don't want a dx 10 card because the suck a old game that i play, system shock 1 and 2, thief 1, no dx 10 card supports dithering.
I think they are both equally important. It's smarter to find a card with more memory and simply overclock it to slightly compensate for choosing a slower model, whereas there's no way of making up for low texture memory. Or you could just catch an X1950 Pro because they are on their way out for good.
I don't have a that much to spend. Which one is the best for under $80 dollers. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102084 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102098 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127291 Or should I wait until i have like $100(will take a while, i have like $12 currently). or should a get a different card altogther?
Of those, get the X1650GT, if you don't need the performance immediately, then you can find something better once you get more money.
Will a card like that be able to play hl2:e2? at like 1024x768 med to high? see cause i dont want to buy a video card ,then having to by a new one, all I want is a card that will last me a year or two.
