looking for a good video card

[MannyG]

Hey guys,

I've been looking at a couple of video cards and I've narrowed it down to the the 9800pro. But I can't decide whether to go with the 128mb version or the 256mb version. Performance matters more than price does at this point, but is the 256mb version a "goliath" compared to its counterpart? This is what it will paired with....

AMD Atholon 64 3000+
MSI K8t NEO-FSR
SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Corsair XMS Extreme PC-3200 512MBx2 (1Gig)

 

[RussianSoldier]

I believe most people will tell you that the 256 is a waste...

 

[jacktesterson]

well up to this point its been a waste. I imagine in the coming year 256 will become mainstream/needed


When I had my T-Bird 1200 MHz (top of line then) with 256MB Ram, 256 was thought to be a waste. like 8 months later it was mainstream

 

[robcy]

If you are set on the 9800PRO, then the extra ram will make little difference if any. But if performance really mattered more than price I would suggest a plain 6800. Here you have alot more performance for a little extra cash.

Hey, I am considered an ATI fanboy, so this is difficult to admit .

 

[Delorian]

My opinion is for the 6800 as well

 

[MannyG]

I'm really trying to keep it in the 9800 series guys.....

 

[AristoV300]

It depends on the price. I would say as the X800's become more available the 9800 prices should drop alot. I have seen some places that 128 and 256 are only like 20 USD different, so why not?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: MannyG
I'm really trying to keep it in the 9800 series guys.....

you are buying yesterdays technology. i really really suggest looking at the 6800

 

[Delorian]

Trust me if performance mattered more than price I would definitely go for a 6800 or faster as these are new gen cards. But if you want to stay 9800 here are some benches between the 128 and the 256mb version as well as the XTTHG

Personally I don't see enough FPS difference to warrant the cost but with games like doom3 making such an impact in the ram, I'd probably go for it. Definitely not the XT, as you can get an x800 pro just a few more dollars past that.