GPU Core/Memory Differences

[JediNight]

I see 2 main lines of Radeon AGP cards for the X800 line available -- one set has 400mhz Core/980mhz RAM, the other has 475mhz Core/900mhz RAM. Which is the better type to go with? Both seem to be reviewed highly on sites like newegg.

The 400/980 *seems* to be the more advanced card via the 16 pipelines, with the 475/900 not even listing how many pipelines. But then I read that you can flash the BIOS of the 12 pipe cards to unlock to 16?

So which is the safer bet? Just spend the $30 extra and get the 400/980 with 16 pipes by default?

 

[Kogan]

x800pro = 12 pipes, 475 core, 900 memory
x800xl = 16 pipes, 400-430 core, 980-1000 memory

The x800xl is faster as is worth a difference of $30 or so, but if you can get a good deal on the x800pro, go for it.

 

[JediNight]

Yeah, I guess a more concise question would be: Why do the better cards with the higher memory speeds have a slower core speed?

(On a sidenote I was shocked that the current top cards now have 20 pipes as mine I bought less than 2 years ago had 8 ... I only really read up right before purchasing a new one. I refuse to spend more than ~$250 on a video card though, just seems a waste to me compared to the performance gained)

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: JediNight
Yeah, I guess a more concise question would be: Why do the better cards with the higher memory speeds have a slower core speed?

They don't always, but memory on retail sites is usually measured in DDR. So you divide that value in half to get the actual frequency. DDR makes it effectively what they list it as though.

 

[ElFenix]

it has a slower core speed but has 33% more pipelines. the increase in pipelines more than offsets the decrease in frequency in terms of absolute fill rate. in order to take advantage of the extra fill rate more memory bandwidth is required.