Does desk top memory speed have anything to do with core clock speed when choosing the right graphic card for

Question

I am wanting to purchase a mid range graphic card for my acer aspire ast180 w/vista home prem.I have 2 gb samsung ddr2 6400 800 ram ,2 sticks with 2 slots empty .took out the memory it came with It was only 2 512 mb 5200.Im getting a new power supply now i need a nice video card.I am not a tech by far.I'm learning though.
I was woundering if my video card's clock core speed should match my memory speed in order to run well?My memory ram in my slots are 800 soo should I get ATI 2600xt?Its core clock speed is 800.There isnt too many reveiws on these yet so I was goin to wait a little while before I just decide to get xfx 8600 gt xxx.ITs a good card based by all the reviews.I have nothing yet except whats in my 6100 board.
I also am installing a 585w psu this week end.The reason i got one this big is for when the 8800's come down on price in a year or so i can afford to get it.Only got 1 pci e slot so i wont use any sli.Unless they come out with a two in one adapter by then.lol Heyya

Answer 1

Do not confuse system RAM on the motherboard with onboard memory on the graphics card. They perform different functions and need not be the same type. Always choose a graphics card with ddr3 even if your system RAM is ddr or ddr2. 256mb ddr3 card is faster than one with 512mb ddr2.
Consider the upcoming 8800GT. It is the most affordable of the 8800 series and could be out next month.

Answer 2

In simple terms: Core speed refers to the graphica card's processor speed (it has it's own CPU just like your computer does). The core speed determines how fast the video card "processes" the graphic data used to display images on your screen. Memory speed refers to the card's onboard RAM speed. Graphic data used to display images on your screen is stored on the card's memory modules. Ultimately the level of any video card's performance is a balance of how high the core speed is along with that of the memory & how much of it is present (32MB, 64MB, 128MB card, etc...) Using a computer for an example: it may have a P4 processor that runs at 2ghz, however the RAM installed may run at 333mhz. In this case 2ghz is core speed & 333mhz is memory clock speed.

Answer 3

The desktop memory doesn't matter.Get the HD 2900 pro only $279 but wait for the 8800 GT it's only slightly slower than a GTX and cost like $266 it should be out by oct 29.

Answer 4

Desktop memory has nothing to do with graphics memory.So, you can go ahead and make your purchase.But one reminder, make sure to find out whether your motherboard can handle the stress that's gonna be applied by your graphics card(XFX GeForce 8600 GT) if you are going to game for long hours........