Which GPU is better and WHY?

[KyleDragneel]

Which is better between the 2 and why?

Will be used to play games like Witcher 2, Dark Souls, RPG games mostly, NO FPS games. (Please do not offer me an alternative for I will just be using this card till November/December, resell it and get a gtx980ti if it's cost is not too much higher than a non ti 980)

My CPU: i54690k (not overclocked yet)
RAM: Corsair Dominator 16gb 1866
MOBO:Gigabyte H81M Gaming 3
PSU: 500watts true rated (Bronze)
Storage: BX100 250gb, 1tb WD black

Has 4GB of memory but has lower bas clock speed and memory clock:
http://www.palit.biz/palit/vgapro.php?id=2464

Has higher base clock and memory clock but has only 2GB of memory:
http://www.palit.biz/palit/vgapro.php?id=2440

(Sorry, I double posted. I can not find the button to delete this clone thread)

 

[Nacho Marco Segui]

I think that clock speed will be the same if you Oc a bit,since are the same card.If you can get the 4 gb version go for it

 

[Poprin]

Really the RAM is more of a factor with the resolution / amount of screens that you are planning on running. I would probably go with the 2GB model with the quicker clock if you are using a 1080p 60hz screen (which you probably should be with a 960). I doubt the 960 would utilise that 4GB in the vast majority of games anyway. Might as well stick with the faster stock clocks because it's a fairly significant boost in clock speed.

 

[chenw]

Given the only 1 960, the higher clock card may give better results due to benchmarks showing that the extra VRAM does not help 960 at all on its own.

 

[Nacho Marco Segui]

Clock speeds will be the same,its the same exact gpu with the same cooler

 

[photonboy]

4GB:
Very few games benefit more than 2GB of VRAM if you're properly adjusting the settings (not running "Ultra" at 20FPS but rather Medium/High at 40FPS+).

HOWEVER... this scenario is changing mainly due to the new consoles. We can't predict what percentage of games in the next two years will benefit from more than 2GB only that there definitely will be an increasing number of games.

(It's worth noting there are several Youtube reviews comparing the GTX960 2GB to 4GB and concluding it's pointless however they're not really talking future-proof nor are they usually using the few current games that actually do benefit. And there ARE a couple. I've seen as much as 20% in at least one game and for several more it prevented some STUTTER due to texture swapping.

FYI, when Watch Dogs came out this was exactly the scenario where having the 4GB card made a huge difference. You'd start driving around then the texture data would fill up and max out the 2GB buffer thus forcing swapping to slower non-video memory. Poorly optimized? Sure... but the reason it happened was designing for the new consoles so this will be common since they have roughly 5GB.. no sure exact amount as it's in flux... of SHARED memory so a game can be easily using over 3GB for video at times with the remaining for game data.

I've oversimplified but just pointing out the trend.)

*If keeping the card for two years or more I'd definitely go with 4GB.

 

[photonboy]

Update:
I agree that the 4GB model should clock to near the 2GB model. Give or take say two percent would be my guess. Same cooler and I'd be surprised if Palit was binning the GPU's.

The extra heat of more VRAM is unlikely to make much difference in the GPU overclock here in my opinion provided adequate case cooling.

 

[Creme]

For the games you specified and as a stopgap, the 2GB 960 will suffice.

For anything longer than that, the 4GB one may be a better choice, though at that point you're in R9 290 price territory, which murders the 960.

 

[KyleDragneel]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The price difference is not that big so I guess i will be purchasing the 4gb version for easier resell. This will be my temporary card until 980ti is released because right now I am just utilizing the onboard graphics of the i54690k (sad). have a good day/night guys.