7600 gt/6800 gs

[phillyman36]

Can someone explain the difference in video cards as far as memory interface? I see some with a 256bit and others in 128bit interface. How does this affect quality on watching videos and in games? Would the newer 7600 gt be better than a regular 6800

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: phillyman36
Can someone explain the difference in video cards as far as memory interface? I see some with a 256bit and others in 128bit interface. How does this affect quality on watching videos and in games? Would the newer 7600 gt be better than a regular 6800

What actually matters is the bandwidth (memory interface width * memory clockspeed). Obviously, a card with a 256-bit memory interface has double the bandwidth of a card with a 128-bit interface if they use the same speed RAM.

Higher bandwidth helps in situations using lots of textures (or very large textures), and when using AA/AF. So the 7600GT may suffer somewhat with AA/AF cranked up.

 

[phillyman36]

So for watching video it woudnt matter not even for hi res video? I dont really play games but every once in a while ill play real war and wanted to try command and conquer. Would you suggest i stay with a 256bit memory inter?
Ps thanks for the quick reply Matthias

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: phillyman36
So for watching video it woudnt matter not even for hi res video?

No. Consider that even a relatively 'slow' card these days is pushing 10+Gigabytes/sec. of memory bandwidth. That's plenty for playing video, even HD video.

I dont really play games but every once in a while ill play real war and wanted to try command and conquer. Would you suggest i stay with a 256bit memory inter?

For less demanding games/settings it may not make much difference. The 7600GT looks to be a pretty fast card despite the lower memory interface width; it's using pretty fast memory to begin with, which makes up some of the difference, and it has a pretty powerful GPU core.

 

[imported_emice]

I'm putting together a system for a friend and was planning on pairing a 6800 GS with a Dell 2405FPW. The only modern game he plays right now is WoW, and for running that at 1920x1200 it seems the 6800 GS is still his best bet in the < $200 range, despite these new releases. Does that make sense? The reviews I have seen don't pit the 7600 GT against the 6800 GS, unfortunately.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: emice
I'm putting together a system for a friend and was planning on pairing a 6800 GS with a Dell 2405FPW. The only modern game he plays right now is WoW, and for running that at 1920x1200 it seems the 6800 GS is still his best bet in the < $200 range, despite these new releases. Does that make sense? The reviews I have seen don't pit the 7600 GT against the 6800 GS, unfortunately.

FiringSquad has them head-to-head, and the 7600GT smack a stock 6800GS around handily, 128bit or not Needs beeter cooling IMO, cooler&quieter would make it very sweet for a $200 card that needs no power connector.

 

[imported_emice]

Good review. On the tests @ 1600x1200x32 it looks like the 7600 GT is ahead by 12-20% in every case, so it certainly seems like the card to get. I wish they would also do some tests at 1920x1200 though, because I keep reading speculation about a memory bandwidth handicap for the 7600 GT at high resolutions because of its 128-bit memory bus. 1600x1200 is pretty darn high though. Thanks for the info.

 

[jlbenedict]

7600GT looks to be the 6600GT replacement "killer" for the budget market..
Even makes ATI's 1800GTO look like childs play

 

[A554SS1N]

I'm very impressed with the 7600GT - much better than I expected for a card with 128-bit interface - maybe in the newer games core power and high actual raw frequencies are just that much more important than actual bandwidth figures.

 

[Exodor]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
7600GT looks to be the 6600GT replacement "killer" for the budget market..

It easily outclasses the 6600GT - but the OP asked about how it compares to a 6800GS.

It seems to be about 15% faster than a 6800GS for about $30 more.