Question about video ram, re: a potential purchase

[Nullvoid]

Hi there, I'm still running a pc with a radeon9600 le(agp) and the performance just sucks to be honest. I've been looking at cheap possible upgrades(I don't really want to splash out lots since directx10 is near)and came up with the following:

1. Geforce 7600GS 256mb gddr2 - £64.98

3. Geforce 7600GS 256mb gddr3 - £89.41

4. Geforce 7600GT 256mb gddr3 - £109.99

Now ideally I didn't want to spend over £100, and I know the 7600 gs is just a gt with slower core/mem, making option 1 my initial favourite but this is where my question comes in. If I buy a 7600gs with a view to overclocking the bejeezus out of it, just how much of a penalty would gddr2 be as compared to gddr3(if at all)?

If anyone knows the answer or could point me to some relevant article I'd appreciate it since I've had no luck trying to find out myself.

 

[Nightmare225]

I would go with the third one. The GT is a lot faster than the GS, even overclocked. It's only 10 euros more, save up a bit more or something.

 

[Nullvoid]

The idea is that I want to spend as little as I can

Unless gddr2 would be a severe handicap to any ambitious overclocking attempt.

 

[morgash]

ddr2 is notoriously bad at overclocking. i would imagine you would be stuck around 800-900mhz or so, with the only option a voltmod that is not gonna guarantee much with ddr2. there is a good reason they basically skipped the stuff and went straight to ddr3 (runs faster, less power, more efficient, etc.). if u can afford it the 7600gt is ur best bet as it is a beast even without OC(for the price anyways if not u wont be unhappy with the 7600gs, gonna be a BIG improvement from ur 9600le.

Morgash

*EDIT* forgot to mention the 7600gs with ddr3 is gonna be a pretty hefty overclocker, would recommend aftermarket cooling tho, vf700cu at least if ya wanna push it far.

 

[Ika]

Er, do you realize all the cards you mentioned at PCI-e cards?

If I had to recommend one i would recommend the cheapest one - even if it doesn't overclock very well, it' still a pretty good performer, and if a 5-10% performance boost for £20 is worth it to you, it's you're decision.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Originally posted by: Aflac
Er, do you realize all the cards you mentioned at PCI-e cards?

If I had to recommend one i would recommend the cheapest one - even if it doesn't overclock very well, it' still a pretty good performer, and if a 5-10% performance boost for £20 is worth it to you, it's you're decision.

7600gs comes in AGP...not sure about 7600gt though.