256 MB graphics cards

[bongo1210]

can anyone tell me if they have a 256 Mb graphics cards? because i am getting stressed out between me spending 50 to 100 bucks more for a 512mb graphics card....also can someone who has had personal experince with a 8600 gt running MTW2 tell me how it runs?

[Trajan]

To The Basement with this one.

[Cataclysm]

I have a RADEON x1400 MOBILITY, 256MB. I run BF2 on all high except for Dynamic Lights and Shadows, and only 2x AA with frames in the upper 20s to upper 30s or more. I dont know my frames in Med 2, but almost everything is on high except vegetation and shadows and haven't noticed any poor performance.

More VRAM isn't the deciding factor. Some cards won't be fast enough to utilize all their VRAM, thus wasting it and you being mad you paid for it.

[westy159]

On a 8600GT, 256MB will be appropiate. There is no need to go higher as of now unless you purchase a high end card that - as a Cataclysm says - will put all of that VRAM to use.

[Doono]

The only time you need a large ammount of VRAM is if you play at very high resolutions, and if thats the case your probably an enthusiast and don't care how much you spend.

But as games get more graphically enhanced textures will start to increase in size and you will probably need more if you plan on running everythign on high.

Still VRAM isnt the deciding factor in speed intill you hit the VRAM cap and few games fully utalise 256 yet.

[spartan_phalanx]

Check this ongoing review @ Tom's Hardware...

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/06/...ney/index.html

The 8600 is overpriced for its performance. Check the chart at the end of the review to get an idea where cards fit in.

[mrmouth]

I like that guide. There is a ton of confusion out there regarding vram.

I have always run a low vram based card and I never have any issues with them performance wise. I can pretty much max out MTW2 with my 256mb x800xl mostly because I constantly tweak my machine and my card to squeeze the most out of them.

I have friends who have thrown down $400-500 on cards and I can come pretty darn close to what they can achieve.

Best thing to do would be to post the card/s your looking at and let us get a look at them.

If I had to buy a card today, Id go with the 8800 gts 320mb, depending on price maybe the 640mb version as Ive seen them fairly cheap, at that point I wouldnt be looking to upgrade for a few years.

[Erik]

The 8600's weakness is a lack of processing power and bus speed, not memory size.

Adding more memory than the GPU can handle is just a waste of money.
256MB is more than enough for any mid-range card.

[bongo1210]

im thinking about getting a 7950 gt or a 7600 gt or even a 7900 gt out of those which one would be best?

[Doono]

7950gt is the best but you might as well spend $50 more and get a 8800GTS since they are way more future proof.

[bongo1210]

lol i found a 7950 gt for like $150 from tigerdirect.com is that a good deal?

[mrmouth]

lol i found a 7950 gt for like $150 from tigerdirect.com is that a good deal?

Just grab this, there is no reason not to, unless you dont have pci-e:

XFX 8600GTS 256mb $123.48 after $30 MIR

http://www.ncixus.com/products/23700/PVT84GUDF3/XFX/

Graphics Core: GeForce 8600 GTS
Clock rate: 675 MHz
Memory: 256 MB
Memory Interface: 128 bit
Memory Speed: 2.0 GHz
Memory Type: GDDR3
Dual Link DVI Supporting
digital output up to 2560x1600: YES
Bus Type: PCI-E
Highlighted Features: Dual DVI Out, HDCP, SLI ready , HDTV ready

[Doono]

Probably is, i don't know much about american prices, we get overinflated prices on out hardware in the uk.

[Doono]

No don't buy a 8600 they are complete trash either get an 8800 series card or a 7600+

[mrmouth]

No don't buy a 8600 they are complete trash either get an 8800 series card or a 7600+

Thats a great deal I linked, nothing more to say.

Doono why r u saying that 8600's are trash? im just thinking of going after the 8600 gt because one guy on this forum said he got one and it was great for MTW2

If the card I liked is compatible with your system, get it, its a hell of a deal, and will run MTW2 real well. XFX also has a great warranty apparently.

[bongo1210]

Doono why r u saying that 8600's are trash? im just thinking of going after the 8600 gt because one guy on this forum said he got one and it was great for MTW2

[Little Legionaire]

Memory interface is the key of memory efficiency. 256 bit 256mb is better than 128 bit 512mb. DX10 or DX9.0 just remind this.

[Erik]

Doono why r u saying that 8600's are trash? im just thinking of going after the 8600 gt because one guy on this forum said he got one and it was great for MTW2

Just look at the benchmarks: 8600 series cards are very slow for the money.

Either spend a little more and get a 8800GTS (which is a LOT faster), or if you're on a budget get a DX9 card.

[mrmouth]

From the benchmarks I've read, these are about as fast or a little bit faster than the 7900GT's, but the 8600GTS obviously also supports DX10.

For the price its a damn good deal considering you'll pay more for a decent DX9 card. I mean its $120, your gonna go more than double or triple that for a 8800. Moreover this guy doesnt sound like he needs bleeding edge technology, really nobody does to run todays games on max if they take care of their machines.

Hell, Im running a radeon x800xl 256 and I can pretty much max out MTW2 @ 1024x1280. Its comparable to a 6800.

I really don't understand the questioning here and the hate for the 8600 when you take into account its price. Its not a bad card.

[Doono]

They are trash, they are slower than the other options in dx9. I personally don't think it has a hope in hell of coping with dx10 have you seen the performance on the dx10 demos?

If you want a DX10 card you get a 8800 series card or a x2900

If you want a card that handles dx9 well you buy a 7900/7950 or a x1950 they all cost roughly the same price and own the **** out of the 8600GT. The 8600GT is a poor quality card it dosent have enough memory interface or stream processors to make it worth the money.

Either way unless your building a new system which i know hes not since hes upgrading a dell and i can guarentee it will not handle dx10 it's a pointless investment. He may as well just get a good dx9 card or better yet save the money and buy a new system later on.