9600 Pro 256mb vs 9600 XT 128mb

Pollock

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2004
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I'm just curious as to how much of a difference the amount of RAM on a video card affects performance, compared to processor speed. I'm talking about the 9600 Pro with 256mb of RAM compared to the 9600 XT with only 128mb of RAM, since they're about the same price. I'm also kind of wondering which of the mainstream cards, between $100-$200, has the best value.
 

Pete

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Not if the RAM and GPU are clocked slower.

128MB 9600XT > 256MB 9600 Pro Lite.

If you want a midrange card, the $153 Gigabyte @ Allstarshop seems the best value. But a little more money ($180-210) will net you a 5900 or 9700 Pro, far faster cards and thus better values overall.
 

Pollock

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2004
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I was thinking more towards the 128mb 9600X compared to the 256mb 9600XT, and compare the performance gains. Well, the 9700 Pro is $202, but I've heard about compatibility issues with games such as CoD...? But then, what much difference is there between the 9700 Pro and 5900?
 

SneakyStuff

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2004
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256 mb of ram does not always mean a card is good, it's all about how the ram is used, and the GPU. stay clear of 256 mb cards, unless they are part of the 9800 or 59xx families. 256 mb will be the pci-x16 standard though.
 

Blastman

Golden Member
Oct 21, 1999
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256MB 9600pro?s are clocked ? 400/200 DDR quite a bit slower than the 9600 128MB pro?s ?400/300 DDR. They are usually so close in price in much better to get the faster clocked 9600pro 128MB version.

128MB 9600XT are 500/300 DDR. And will offer a big jump in performance over a 256MB 9600pro.

If 128MB is enough for a midrange card (and it is), then a larger amount of slower memory will only end up slowing things down.
 
Jan 9, 2001
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Originally posted by: Blastman
256MB 9600pro?s are clocked ? 400/200 DDR quite a bit slower than the 9600 128MB pro?s ?400/300 DDR. They are usually so close in price in much better to get the faster clocked 9600pro 128MB version.

128MB 9600XT are 500/300 DDR. And will offer a big jump in performance over a 256MB 9600pro.

If 128MB is enough for a midrange card (and it is), then a larger amount of slower memory will only end up slowing things down.

Are all BB ATI 9600 Pro's clocked at 400/300? My 9600 AIW PRO is clocked @ 398.25(close to 400) and 324.00 mem stock according to RadClocker.
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
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The 9600Xt but for a few more bucks you can usually step-up to the much better 5900SE or the 9700 NP.