Is 256 megs of ram on cheap videocards useless?

[winterlude]

I've noticed that cheap ATI cards like the 9550 and the 9250 with 128 and 64 bit memory controllers had 128megs of ram before but now sell with 256mb.
I haven't been able to find any reviews for these cheap cards to see if there is any real-world difference.

I read on AT that 256 megs without a 256 memory interface isn't much use, but if it's not much more expensive (15-$25), get the 256. I don't subscribe to the idea that more ram is always better. There must be a point when more RAM does next to nothing. So does the extra 128mb of DDR video RAM help those slow cards?

I'd like a real answer please (not just "why not buy a 6200 instead?" etc.)


Thanks in advance

 

[biostud]

yes marketing ploy.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Big numbers = the uneducated public will buy them.

 

[Paratus]

Yes
Complete waste on anything below a 9800 PRO.

You only need the ram at high res with eyecandy on. Which is exactly what you won't get with a lowend card

 

[nick1985]

yes

 

[RSanders]

What about the 256-bit part of the videocard?

Like a Radeon 9700 Pro... 128mb 256-bit. What is the difference from 128-bit?

 

[2Xtreme21]

Originally posted by: RSanders
What about the 256-bit part of the videocard?

Like a Radeon 9700 Pro... 128mb 256-bit. What is the difference from 128-bit?

Yes, that's a high number that matters heh.

I'll go back to my door analogy:

Doors = bit rate
People = RAM

If you try and squeeze 256 people through a wall with 128 doors, there's going to be a decent amount of slowdown no? Not only must they all fit through, but they must fit through their own respective door! (person 1 must go through door 1, etc. On a 128-bit surface, RAM "1" must go through "Bit" 1 (not quite how it works, but it paints a picture). For those with 256 mb RAM and only a 128-bit surface, RAM "1" and RAM "2" must both go through "Bit" 1... providing much slowdown).

On the other hand, if you try 128 people through 256 doors, where person 1 can go through either door 1 or door 2, that provides a significant BOOST.

The optimum is, of course, 256 MB and 256-bit (on high end cards).

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: RSanders
What about the 256-bit part of the videocard?

Like a Radeon 9700 Pro... 128mb 256-bit. What is the difference from 128-bit?

Double the memory bandwith for the same speed ram.

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21

Originally posted by: RSanders
What about the 256-bit part of the videocard?

Like a Radeon 9700 Pro... 128mb 256-bit. What is the difference from 128-bit?

Yes, that's a high number that matters heh.

I'll go back to my door analogy:

Doors = bit rate
People = RAM

If you try and squeeze 256 people through a wall with 128 doors, there's going to be a decent amount of slowdown no? Not only must they all fit through, but they must fit through their own respective door! (person 1 must go through door 1, etc. On a 128-bit surface, RAM "1" must go through "Bit" 1 (not quite how it works, but it paints a picture). For those with 256 mb RAM and only a 128-bit surface, RAM "1" and RAM "2" must both go through "Bit" 1... providing much slowdown).

On the other hand, if you try 128 people through 256 doors, where person 1 can go through either door 1 or door 2, that provides a significant BOOST.

The optimum is, of course, 256 MB and 256-bit (on high end cards).

I like this analogy 😀