2GB or faster clock times?

[ttamgros]

I'm looking to get a graphics card for somewhere in $150-$225. I mostly play MMOs and RTSs (SC2). I run on this monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-071-_-Product

I want to go NVIDIA so I can easily go to 3D gaming when those monitors/accessories get cheaper, and I just trust NVIDIA.

That monitor runs native 2560 x 1600 res, but I was wondering if I'd see a bigger performance boost by going with a 2GB card as opposed to a 1 GB card with higher clock times. Ex:

This:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187128
(Yes, I know it is a small brand, but I have friends who love them)

vs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130567

I'm not adverse to SLI or OCing, so if you have some good advice related to that, it's welcome

 

[RavenSEAL]

Did you read before asking for purchase advice?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2132257

 

[happy medium]

I'm looking to get a graphics card for somewhere in $150-$225.

Welcome to the forums,

At this price range you are not gonna find what you want for a 2500x1600 monitor.
You would need a least 2 gtx460's overclocked with 2gb of memory. $400+ or a overclocked gtx570.

 

[Skurge]

He could get by with a 6870 at that res, or better yet a 6950 for $299.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/20126/10

 

[happy medium]

He could get by with a 6870 at that res, or better yet a 6950 for $299.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/20126/10

Really man, did you even read what the OP typed?

 

[Grooveriding]

1GB is not enough if you plan to use AA for that resolution.

If you want to spend the least amount of money possible, the best card available that can tackle that resolution is an AMD 6950, but don't expect to play everything maxed out, it will play your games nicely though.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Really man, did you even read what the OP typed?

It's technically impossible to get decent game play @ 2560 x 1600 with anything below $300.

 

[nOOky]

I'm looking to get a graphics card for somewhere in $150-$225. I mostly play MMOs and RTSs (SC2). I run on this monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-071-_-Product

I want to go NVIDIA so I can easily go to 3D gaming when those monitors/accessories get cheaper, and I just trust NVIDIA.

That monitor runs native 2560 x 1600 res, but I was wondering if I'd see a bigger performance boost by going with a 2GB card as opposed to a 1 GB card with higher clock times. Ex:

This:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187128
(Yes, I know it is a small brand, but I have friends who love them)

vs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130567

I'm not adverse to SLI or OCing, so if you have some good advice related to that, it's welcome

If I were you I'd save that money towards something better. Either 3d required parts are going to become more mainstream and cheaper, or the technology will die out and you'll be left with stuff nobody wants anyway. I'm not dissing nvidia's 3d effort, I just don't see it being adopted currently, and I don't think it will ever become widespread and affordable. If it does it will take time for better 120hz monitors to appear,(choices are limited right now unless you buy a t.v. monitor), and the game support and drivers will get better. By then more powerful gpu's should be available.
So my 2 cents, if you are having trouble playing games currently at that resolution, save up a little more for a GTX570 or the upcoming GTX560 when that becomes available.

 

[Skurge]

Really man, did you even read what the OP typed?

uh yeah, did you?

He said he had $225 so I gave him an option for $225. I also gave him an option that is better suited to his res. You on the other hand gave him the option for a $500 SLI setup.

EDIT: Forget about ANY single card at that resolution with 3D. It just wont happen. I also don't know if 3D uses a lot more ram, but I think it does, so the 570 might be out of the question at that res too.

 

[happy medium]

uh yeah, did you?

He said he had $225 so I gave him an option for $225. I also gave him an option that is better suited to his res. You on the other hand gave him the option for a $500 SLI setup.

EDIT: Forget about ANY single card at that resolution with 3D. It just wont happen. I also don't know if 3D uses a lot more ram, but I think it does, so the 570 might be out of the question at that res too.

See post #3.

 

[Rifter]

3D at that res is not going to happen cheap. Trust me im running OC'ed SLI GTX 460's and im sure they could handle 3D at 1080P but 25x16 is going to require more VRAM, as happy mentioned in post #3.

 

[ttamgros]

Did you read before asking for purchase advice?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2132257

Yes, the only thing I didn't put in there was about rebates. I didn't include it because the question isn't as much about specific items cost as general performance levels.

I didn't provide system specs because I don't have a build around it yet. If someone said something was necessary I would adjust, but I have a good understanding of the other components. Just wasn't sure about bottleneck in this one particular area.

3D at that res is not going to happen cheap. Trust me im running OC'ed SLI GTX 460's and im sure they could handle 3D at 1080P but 25x16 is going to require more VRAM, as happy mentioned in post #3.

Sorry if I didn't make this clear enough, but that monitor doesn't support 3D. If I was going to do 3D it would have to be on a new monitor that would then be much smaller. And I could potentially go into SLI at that time if the card I get isn't good enough.

So to restate, I just want a card that fairs well with a large monitor, but is compatible to move to 3D in the future on a monitor that supports 3D (one that is potentially much smaller). Specifically, I just want to know the difference between the larger memory size and clock speeds.

I don't expect to have everything maxed, i just want to get the max for my money...

 

[happy medium]

So to restate, I just want a card that fairs well with a large monitor, but is compatible to move to 3D in the future on a monitor that supports 3D (one that is potentially much smaller). Specifically, I just want to know the difference between the larger memory size and clock speeds.

I don't expect to have everything maxed, i just want to get the max for my money...

Then I suggest you wait for the gtx560 on the 23rd. Then go shopping. I'm sure they will make a 2gb version also, and it will fair much better with a large monitor as a single card now and even better for sli in the future with 3d.