do i get a video card with more pixel pipelines or more memory?

Question

whats the differance i want speed and picture quality.

Answer 1

Start with what you want it to do ....
CAD ?
GAMES (which ones) ?
Rendering ?
etc ....
& then which app.

Once you know that the rest is easy. Many graphics software manufacturers have free 1-800 phone lines aimed at helping people choose the best adapter for their software.

Games are simpler ... they openly post minimal requirement specs.

Please provide additional comments to your question ...

regards.
Philip T

Answer 2

user this change for video cards:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html
memory means NOTHING if the game doesn't use it (as the above charts prove). most games are using around 256mb, really none using 512mb much less more. You really have to push resolution up 2048 by 1600 or better to start using 512mb of ram. But as more games get higher quality pics /graphics it will need more to store that info.

Answer 3

Your best bet is to go with memory. Generally mid-range to high end video cards with a good amount of memory (256mb and up) will have a decent amount of pixel pipelines.

Answer 4

Memory. The video card won't do nothing but eat up the memory you have, causing the game to run slower (unless you have a fair amount of memory in the first place).