What is better to look for when buying a video card - GDDR2 with 512 MB or GDDR3 with 256 MB?

Question

I am currently looking into buying a new video card to upgrade from my integrated Nvidia6100 and I would like a video card with DirectX10. I am planning on spending under $200.

For example:

Would I rather have a Nvidia 8500GTS with 256 MB with a Core clock speed at 675MHz and Memory Clock speed at 2000HMz
OR
Would I rather have a Nvidia 8600GT with a Core clock speed at 540MHz and Memory Clock speed at 667MHz?

Any recommended cards by the way? I'm planning to buy off of Newegg.com if that makes a difference.

Answer 1

When choosing a video card the the GPU Clock is most important. The 8600 is the first mainstream DX 10 card. The higher video memory will allow you to set the graphics settings to max. 256 Memory and a higher gpu would be the better choice.
For Example Geforce 7800 256MB vs. Geforce 7600 512MB the 7800 will still be top performer due to the GPU. You may be able to go to Ultra Settings on Doom 3 with the 7600 but your frame rate will still be lower than the 7800.

Answer 2

Are you sure there's 8500GTS ? I'm only aware of 8500 GT, without the S. Or maybe it was a typo, and you meant to say 8800 GTS, not 85. I really don't think 8500 have such kind of memory and core frequency

Generally, you don't have to worry about the memory size or frequency. The graphic card with the higher 4 digit number is always faster than the smaller ones. That means, 8800 is faster than 8600 which in turn is faster than 8500.

Also, these cards are all priced according to their performance, so you'll just have to consider your budget and get the fastest card your budget allows.

Answer 3

The 4770 might have a 1GB card available quickly (if no longer already). right this moment, the version between 1GB and 512MB is particularly small. The 4770 512MB is swifter than the 4750 1GB in spite of the certainty that it has a million/2 the reminiscence length as a results of fact its reminiscence and middle are clocked swifter. besides the shown fact that, in case you particularly need to "destiny information" your video card, decide for the 4770 with 1GB of video reminiscence.

Answer 4

Hi could u contact me on yim [e-mail] cause im looking to upgrade my graphics card as well & im looking for somethink around the same price supports directx10 .. this is the graphics card im looking to get http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/p_907_ASUS_GEFORCE_8500GT_PCIEXPRESS_512MB_VIDEO_CARD


if you could contact me on yahoo messenger that would be good because i would like to know where you found that graphics card... that you mentioned ,Thanks