Faster Core Clock vs. More Memory

[Patrickz0rs]

I have narrowed it down to two cards:

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150356
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130467

#1 has 1GB DDR3 with a 738 core clock
#2 has 512MB DDR3 with a 771 core clock.

Over all what will get better performance? I vaguely remember someone saying core clock beats out memory but I am unsure.

Thanks!

 

[Henrah]

You're right: core clocks are far more substantial than memory clocks.

What resolution do you game at? @1920x1200 and above, with AA, 1gb is preferable.

It's a tough choice between those two. Imho, the EVGA 512mb SuperClocked would be the better choice considering the fantastic customer service EVGA are known to have, on top of the $10 MIR if you can be bothered.

 

[vj8usa]

Why not just get a 4870/GTX260? About the same price, but a good bit faster.
1GB 4870 with a double lifetime warranty, under $150
GTX260 216, only a few bucks more thanks to free shipping, comes with CoD WaW

It doesn't make much sense to spend close to $150 for a GTS250, since you can find 4850s/GTS250s for under $100 nowadays.

 

[AzN]

I would listen to vj8usa. But if you want stick with GTS250 the 1 gb card and overclock considering they are the same price.

 

[Schmide]

In most games up to 1920x1200 you don't notice much of a difference. At 1680x1050 you'd be hard pressed to find a game (cough cough besides gta4) where that the extra memory makes a difference.

So

$127 AR $10 free shipping. Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4870 512MB DDR5 <- dead

 

[Fox5]

1GB 4870 would be the right choice.

I wouldn't go with a 512MB card at all at this point. Games are just starting to make use of 1GB.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Fox5
I wouldn't go with a 512MB card at all at this point. Games are just starting to make use of 1GB.

+1

Besides, if you're fixed on the GTS 250 you should know one thing - the 512MB may just be a rebadged 9800GTX+ not the newer PCB "true" GTS 250 (shorter card, lower power consumption, etc).

But I would recommend following vj8usa's advice and grab either a 1GB 4870 or a GTX 260. Either will offer better performance for a similar price so why not?

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
Why not just get a 4870/GTX260? About the same price, but a good bit faster.
1GB 4870 with a double lifetime warranty, under $150
GTX260 216, only a few bucks more thanks to free shipping, comes with CoD WaW

It doesn't make much sense to spend close to $150 for a GTS250, since you can find 4850s/GTS250s for under $100 nowadays.

I am going to go with the GTX 260 but the only thing I am worried about is my 600W power supply. It says recommended 630watt. Will the 30 watts cause a reason for concern?

 

[crazylegs]

A decent 600w PSU could run SLI 260's so i wouldn't worry about running one of them

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: Patrickz0rs
I am going to go with the GTX 260 but the only thing I am worried about is my 600W power supply. It says recommended 630watt. Will the 30 watts cause a reason for concern?

Only if it's one pitiful excuse for a "600w" power supply, or you've got a mass of other parts to power. for example sake, I run my 260 and a Ci7920@3.8Ghz setup on a 430w Seasonic.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Originally posted by: kylebisme

Originally posted by: Patrickz0rs
I am going to go with the GTX 260 but the only thing I am worried about is my 600W power supply. It says recommended 630watt. Will the 30 watts cause a reason for concern?

Only if it's one pitiful excuse for a "600w" power supply, or you've got a mass of other parts to power. for example sake, I run my 260 and a Ci7920@3.8Ghz setup on a 430w Seasonic.

Rosewill 600W. Pretty close to "top shelf" psu.

 

[OCGuy]

Get the XFX and OC it yourself. It is very simple.