DDR3 and DDR2 memory compatibility in video cards

[Omeg4]

...But there is a problem. According to Newegg, nVidia does not manufacture an 8800 card with GDDR2 memory, only GDDR3. I know I'm only compatible with DDR2 memory, but I would really like to squeeze the last few years out of my computer by upgrading my video card. I was hoping for one 8800 with 768mb of memory to leave room for SLI in the future (I have 3GB of RAM)... This discovery about GDDR3 memory really screws up my plans. The best card that supports GDDR2 is the GeForce 8600, but I'm not sure if the 8600 would be worth it (because of its low low price, I'd probably just end up getting two...). Basically what I'm hoping for is some backwards-compatible double standard with videocard memory because I know that DDR3 RAM memory is not compatible with DDR2 RAM motherboards...
Is there any way around this? Can I still use the 8800? Is the 8600 worth the downgrade? Do ATI's top cards support DDR2?

All help is much appreciated in advance. Thank you!

 

[sisq0kidd]

The DDR2 compatibility has nothing to do with video card ram. That is for your motherboard ram.

You will be fine with a video card that has ddr3 ram.

Also, what are your other specs?

 

[formulav8]

Hi, The only thing that matters on your mobo is that you have a PCI-Xpress slot for the video card your wanting.

The memory your mobo uses has nothing to do with which Video card you can use


Jason

 

[AVP]

Regular ram and video ram are separate, they do not have to match. As long as you have a pci-express slot you can put any card that fits in there.

*note its pci-e, not pci-x like the person above said.

 

[formulav8]

Originally posted by: AVP
Regular ram and video ram are separate, they do not have to match. As long as you have a pci-express slot you can put any card that fits in there.

*note its pci-e, not pci-x like the person above said.

Hi, I used PCI-Xpress to mean pci express.

I do not believe PCI-Xpress would refer to PCI-X anyways which doesn't have express in its name at anytime. I guess thats why you said it?


Jason

 

[Omeg4]

Ah, thanks alot guys that really helped me out alot...and Sisqo i have 3.2 GHz Intel P4, 3 GB of RAM, and a GeForce 6800 256mb. I can run my games at a max resolution of 1600x1200. At this point I realize that my processor is by far my weakest link (once I get my new graphics card) but I hear that replacing a processor is a pain in the ass.