Does Ram make a difference, GFX cards?

Kazujo · 08-04-2005 4:26pm #1

I know yet another which card is best thread but here it goes. Is it better to have a more ram or a more uptodate chipset on a card. I'm goin to be upgradin soon and I'm looking at either a 256MB Radeon 9600xt or a 128MB 6600GT.

There is about €60 in the difference between the cards I'm looking at, just looking for some second and third opinions?

Giblet · 08-04-2005 4:29pm

The 6600GT is what you should go for.

You don't judge by the ram. Look at the specs, the benchmarks. Then consider the games you play, would they use that ram?

Alot of the time, the card with more ram usually uses cheaper, slower ram.

256 is becoming standard now, but is wasted on the 9600xt.

Jammer · 08-04-2005 4:29pm

The 6600GT.

The extra RAM would generaly make a difference when you play at resolutions higher then 1024x768

Kazujo · 08-04-2005 4:36pm

Cheers I thought it was a no brainer on the GT but wanted to double check. I'm building a new machine for Half Life 2 primarily but would also like to play UT 2004 at something higher than 640x480. I've been out of the graphics card loop for a while now.

Giblet · 08-04-2005 4:39pm

Get more system ram if you can

Khannie · 08-04-2005 4:45pm

Kazujo wrote:

I'm building a new machine for Half Life 2 primarily but would also like to play UT 2004 at something higher than 640x480. I've been out of the graphics card loop for a while now.

I'm a UT2K4 wh*re. Hence the avatar.

The 6600GT will play UT2K4 at 1280x1024 very smoothly once you have a decent processor and 512MB or more of system ram. UT2K4 (in particular) is very processor dependent, but while running only uses around 250-350 megs of ram.

As the others said, the 256megs is wasted on the 9600xt.

I play UT2K4 at 1280x1024 with 2xAA and 8xAF turned on. My system is a 2800+ (@3200+ speeds), 768MB and 9800 pro (128MB) running windows 2000.

edit: Last thing....if you intend playing UT2K4 regularly check out www.unreal.ie that's where' the irish UT community hangs out. < /plug>

Kazujo · 08-04-2005 4:46pm

I have 512 DDR 400, I'm working from a Socket A Mobo. Quick power supply question while I'm here are Fortran/Source any good I'm looking at 350 Watt dont want to pay too much. I know they are recognised by AMD

Kazujo · 08-04-2005 4:50pm

Cheers Khannie, I enduglged in some of the regular nights back when I had broadband.

Khannie · 08-04-2005 4:51pm

Think they are a good make.

Would suggest getting as much wattage as you can afford. I think that 6600GT's are pretty power hungry (though you would almost certainly get away with a decent 350 watter, it wont leave much upgrade room).

Just my tuppence. Others will say otherwise. My own PSU is /way/ under-utilised, but prevents me having to buy a new one when I upgrade in the future.

Edit: KNEW I knew your name from somewhere

2nd edit: We have a new server with very low ping. One of the regular lads plays on dial up with a ping just over 100. Just in case you were being put off by potentially crippling dial up pings.

BloodBath · 08-04-2005 4:51pm

Fortron make good psu's. 350w should do you fine but i'd get 400w to be safe.

BloodBath

Kazujo · 08-04-2005 5:03pm

Khannie wrote:

2nd edit: We have a new server with very low ping. One of the regular lads plays on dial up with a ping just over 100. Just in case you were being put off by potentially crippling dial up pings.

Nice one I'll have to check it out after my upgrade

Does Ram make a difference, GFX cards?

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