256mb vs. 512mb @ 1920x1200

[traxxton]

I have dell's 2405fpw @ 1920x1200. Im building a new computer and thinking about either a 7800gtx 256mb or another 512mb card to go with my FX-60. Does the memory size come in to play at this resolution or is it just for super high quality game settings (like doom 3 I hear that you should have at least 512 for the supper highest quality settings). Im probably going to be upgrading video cards next year when DX10 comes out. Im wondering if it will have a big impact on performance. Im looking to play the latest games at a high quality setting with atleast 4x aa

 

[Elfear]

There are a few games that will utilize more than 256MB of ram at that resolution. It makes more of a difference with ATI cards than it does Nvidia cards though. I'd recommend you go for a 512MB card. The 512MB X1800XT's can be had for ~$270. The 512MB X1900XT can be had for ~$390 and the 512MB 7900GTX can be had for ~$445. I guess it depends on if you have the extra money to spend over what a 7800GTX would cost you. Personally, if you want to save money for DX10 stuff, I'd go with an X1800XT over a 7800GTX any day. It's a faster card and has 512MB of ram.

 

[Todd33]

You are building a new computer and considering a discontinued part like a 7800? You don't need 512MB in any game, Doom 3's HQ mode just turns on texture compression for light maps or something, not even the textures themselves are compressed in the lower modes.

Get a card fast enough to drive 1920x1200, the memory will be 512MB most likely unless it's a 7900GT.

 

[akshayt]

you need 512mb in games like Cod2, may be Oblivion and Quake 4 and chances are that nera future(UT07 and Crytek) will use >256mb, even vista will.
don't settle for less than a radeon 1900xt or geforce 7900GTX

 

[traxxton]

Thanks for the info. I think im going to see if theres a used 7900gtx on the f/s forum. I just heard that the 7800 was really quite and I found a few for $250, plus Im probably going to upgrade when the dx10's come out. Im not sure of the noise level on the 7900gtx, but I know there are other coolers available. Im a nvidia fan and would rather stick with them. Also, I have a 256mb x850xtpe on my current p4 2.4b setup. I really dont have that much trouble playing Oblivion and Quake 4 at high settings (game settings), but no aa and the ccc is set to high performance mode with no vsync.

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: akshayt
you need 512mb in games like Cod2, may be Oblivion and Quake 4 and chances are that nera future(UT07 and Crytek) will use >256mb, even vista will.
don't settle for less than a radeon 1900xt or geforce 7900GTX

Let's not mislead him, there is no proof any of the games you listed need more than 256MB.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sapphire_radeon_x1900_gt/page5.asp

I agree, buy the best card you can afford, but if you are like most of us you will upgrade again next year with Vista, trying to future proof your purchase is not realistic. A $300 card next year is going to be as good or better than a $500 now. How many people paid $500 for a X1800Xt not that long ago? Do you think they will own it for 2+ years and be happy?

If you buy and sell card a lot, don't over buy now. If you stick with them for years then buy a 7950GTX

 

[traxxton]

I was checking out some of the prices online and I went with a 7950gx2. Buy.com has it onsale for $569 with free shipping. I plan on getting this system set up and holding out for a while till vista is released (if ever) and some of the bugs are worked out, then upgrading in time. Since DX10 wont be available for xp, there wont be a need to upgrade for awhile.

 

[Todd33]

Nice choice, hard to be unhappy with a 7950GTX.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Todd33

Originally posted by: akshayt
you need 512mb in games like Cod2, may be Oblivion and Quake 4 and chances are that nera future(UT07 and Crytek) will use >256mb, even vista will.
don't settle for less than a radeon 1900xt or geforce 7900GTX

Let's not mislead him, there is no proof any of the games you listed need more than 256MB.

Well actually there is some proof. Here is a good article that includes FEAR, Quake 4, and HL2: LC. I wish I could find the article that munky linked too once. Showed a nice improvement going to a 512MB card in some games, including COD2.