7600GT AGP vs HD2600PRO AGP ?

Question

Which do you think is a better choice? The 7600GT (256MB) is faster in most benchmarks, however, the HD2600PRO (512MB) is Dx10 compatible and has double the memory size of the nVidia. The ATI version is better at running programs, but is it a good ideea to get one instead of the faster nVidia model?

Answer 1

HD2600 Pro AGP 512mb ddr2 is slow because it uses DDR2. It would have been faster and comparable with the 7600GT if it used DDR3 even if size of memory is just 256mb. 256mb ddr3 is faster than 512mb ddr2.

It seems that DDR3 in AGP variant was confined to the 2600XT model like this one:
http://www.nextag.com/VisionTek-ATI-Radeon-HD-560108122/prices-html

I suggest you get a card with DDR3. Anything with ddr2 videoram is comparatively slower.

Answer 2

I'd get the HD2600Pro because it has twice the memory and is dx10 comp. If you plan on going dual video cards with ATI, though, you better have a crossfire ready motherboard then.

Answer 3

The 7600gt is more powerful and the 2600pro is not a gamer card so if you want to play games get the 7600gt or 2600xt.