9800pro 128mb or 256mb?

[nuttybing]

Hi,
I've seen the review on it in Tom's guide but the q is do i really need a 256mb? I'm thinking whether will it still be able to support games in the future?(probably 2years+) or should i just stick to the 128mb and save some $? Does the different makers of the chip affect performance? I was thinking of getting either ELSA or the original one. Which should i choose? Thanks

 

[coolsquirtle]

ELSA is a excellent Video card maker and i suggest getting the 128mb version because 256mb is useless now anyways and the card's more hot(in terms of heat)/expensive

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if i had the money and if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF

 

[confoundicator]

The concensus around here is that 256MB is just a marketing tool to sell more expensive cards. Games are just starting to realize the potential of 64MB, and 128MB will be plenty for some time. Whether any card on the market today will be useful in two years is anybody's guess.

Also, IMHO by the time games are using 256MB texures and that kind of video RAM is really needed there will be <i><b>much</b></i> faster cards around for the same price. We're talking a couple of years. IMHO, that is.

Personally, I have a slightly different strategy for graphics cards. I'll buy a less expensive card that'll get the job done and then upgrade more often. $300.00 every two years or $150.00 every year? I'd rather have a new one every year, but that's just me.

<font color=blue>Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
-Einstein</font color=blue>

 

[jiffy]

I bought 256mb and now wish I would of got 128 for two reason. Not related or is it the peep card must be defected, two DDRII = very, very hot. I took my defecting card and still tried to play games at very high settings, even though the picture was messed up the ram was just about hot enough to burn my fingers. Sure I seen MX cards get just as hot, but what would happen if I was to overclock the card. A 3rd degree finger burn for sure, hehe. I think even the FX let go of DDRII, and also the hairdryer.

***************************************
When I have a problem with ATI's drivers, I assume it's their fault. When I have a problem with nVidia's drivers, I assume it's my fault<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by jiffy on 07/13/03 06:35 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

You DO realise you don't need to HOLD the Graphics Cards in place, that there are screws for that?

I think I've found your reason for checkerboarding. Stop touching the memory while playing! :tongue:


As for the original issue. Yes 256mb right now does NOT seems like a worthwhile extra expense. It is slighly clocked faster and does have more top-end room (theoretically) but I doubt you'd feel the advantages worth any additional epense.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[jiffy]

Yeah, and some type of AGP locking device, which I’m surprise I haven't broken (yet).

***************************************
When I have a problem with ATI's drivers, I assume it's their fault. When I have a problem with nVidia's drivers, I assume it's my fault

 

[KrazeIke]

Take the $120 you save by buying the 128MB version and put it in the bank. When you actually need 256MB, you can use that money to buy new card to replace your poor aging 9800 Pro, because by the time that happens, it'll be pretty old.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Wow, for a nOOb, you're pretty dang smart, that's EXACTLY what I said a while back when all this first came up. Save the difference and buy something PCI-EX later.

Well said!

Cheers!


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[nuttybing]

Okay, thanks alot guys for your great views on this. It sure helped me a lot in setting up my pc(soon) thanks