256bit vs 384bit cards

[marcokleinrossi]

Can anyone tell me exactly what is the difference between a 384 bit memory interface and a 256 bit interface within a graphics card?

Also a was looking at this asus 7970 that's 100$ off. Is this a good buy? will it max out most games I through at it?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_1200_557_558&item_id=048385

Current specs:
i5-4670k
CM Hyper 212 EVO cpu cooler
8gb ram @1600mhz (kingston hyperx)
2 tb hdd WD caviar black
Gigabyte z87x-d3h motherboard
750-watt Antec HCG psu

 

[Sakkura]

Can anyone tell me exactly what is the difference between a 384 bit memory interface and a 256 bit interface within a graphics card?

The 384-bit memory interface just means it transfers 384 bits of data at a time, 256-bit interface means it transfers 2560 bits of data at a time.

Multiply by the transfer rate (typically around 6 GT/s for GDDR5 memory) and you get the memory bandwidth, which is quite important for graphics cards. The faster the graphics processor is, the more memory bandwidth it needs to perform optimally.

 

[Sakkura]

The bus width only tells you one side of the memory bandwidth. You also need to know the memory clock speed. The formula is Clock Speed multiplied by bit-width equals bandwidth.

Well, you also have to multiply that by 4 because GDDR5 transfers data 4 times per clock cycle.

 

[meowmix44]

A 256bit bus is actually perfect for 1080P, but as you start to go over 1080P, you start to use alot more bandwidth. Therefore using anything over 256bits is overkill for 1080P.

 

[marcokleinrossi]

So would you say a 384bit, 3gb gddr5 card at 925 mhz stock clock is good enough to play the best games right now and even games that are coming out later this year? Refer to the link i posted of the asus card if it helps

 

[Sakkura]

So would you say a 384bit, 3gb gddr5 card at 925 mhz stock clock is good enough to play the best games right now and even games that are coming out later this year? Refer to the link i posted of the asus card if it helps

Actually, the 925 MHz is the clock rate of the graphics processor. The memory runs at 1375 MHz or 5500 MT/s. You'll see it says 5500 MHz memory in there, which is technically inaccurate.

Anyway, there's generally no need to analyze these specs. Gaming benchmarks are more important, and the 7970 does pretty well. It's not the fastest graphics card available, but it's plenty fast and yet comes in at a very reasonable $300. Looks like a pretty good buy.