8800GTS 640mb vs 4GB PC-6400

[Cellulose]

I was going to buy a 8800gts 320mb for 1280x1024. But now I am thinking soon I will be forced to get Vista and was wondering whether I should get another 2gb ram (Patriot or Corsair XMS2) for Vista 64 or get the 640mb instead of the 320mb?

Both will end up around the same price...

Thanks a lot,
Joe

 

[MichaelD]

If you already have 2GB of RAM, you've got plenty.

Do you game a lot? What video card do you have now?

 

[Cellulose]

I don't have a video card atm so it would be between the 320mb and 640mb. I game a lot however at my res I wasn't sure whether the 640mb would even be an advantage in games any time soon...

 

[chizow]

You'll need to run higher resolutions than 1280 to see any major differences between a 320/640 GTS and 2GB/4GB RAM in Vista 64. In your case, I'd go with a 640 GTS and 2GB, which will give you room to grow in the future (add Vista 64, 2GB, and a higher res LCD). If you go with a 320MB, that'll be your most immediate bottleneck if you try to go to a higher resolution monitor and the extra 2GB will end up being largely wasted.

 

[Sqube]

Anything up to 1440x900, you're fine with the 320MB version. It'll be able to run everything (including hogs like Oblivion) with all the bells and whistles. Above that, you're going to want the 640MB version.

And as of this juncture, there's not much reason for a desktop user (even a heavy gamer) to have more than 2 gigs of RAM. You're just not seeing any benefit.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Sqube
And as of this juncture, there's not much reason for a desktop user (even a heavy gamer) to have more than 2 gigs of RAM. You're just not seeing any benefit.

Absolutely untrue, 2GB Wall covered by AT
Blame the G80, Vista, newer games, whatever, but 2GB is clearly becoming a limiting factor in gaming. x64 and 3GB+ will soon be the new standard for gaming PCs.

 

[Cellulose]

If I wasnt going to upgrade my monitor in a long time then would you still recommend the 640mb?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Sqube
And as of this juncture, there's not much reason for a desktop user (even a heavy gamer) to have more than 2 gigs of RAM. You're just not seeing any benefit.

Absolutely untrue, 2GB Wall covered by AT
Blame the G80, Vista, newer games, whatever, but 2GB is clearly becoming a limiting factor in gaming. x64 and 3GB+ will soon be the new standard for gaming PCs.

:thumbsup:

2 gigs just doesn't cut it anymore.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Knobjockey
If I wasnt going to upgrade my monitor in a long time then would you still recommend the 640mb?

Thanks,
Joe

Just get the Geforce 8800 GTS 320 and 4 gig of ram. You will be a lot happier. The Geforce 8800 GTS 320 is a great card and there is no reason to pay over $300 for a video card.

By the time new games come out you will want a new video card to be able to play the latest and greatest. So don't waste the extra money on a 640.