sapphire 1950XT-512MB is 625/1600..is this rite?

[compgamer]

This is my very first post on AT, but believe me im a long long time lurker.
finally decided to join the big game after catching the bug to go CONROE

I have almost completed my rig, just waiting to get the P5B del with REV 1.04g. i also picked up the X1950XT 256MB. now my local retailer also had the 512 MB version from sapphire that was an extra $35.
since then i was googling 256 vs 512 & basically make to the understanding 512 would be advantages on settings 1600 and beyond. is this rite?

I couldnt get the specs of the 512MB on the sapphire site? weird? & then i came across this article "http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-1...0-XT-256mb.html", which indicates the 512 mem freq is abt 200 MHz (1600) less than the 256 mem freq (1800) . is this true? if so is there a possibility the MEM modules used for the 512 are different from the 256 ver? a possible performance penalty?

any suggestions and pointing towards the rite direction would be appreciated

a very excited gamer..itching to game @ MAX settings

 

[happy medium]

Can you give me a link to your local retailer? Is there a reason why you don't buy online?
I'ts always cheaper. What games do you play or planning on playing? Doom type ?
Adventure type? Action? Finally what monitor do you have and whats your price range for your card? Why are you stuck on the x1950?

Yes, 1600x1200 and beyond runs better with 512mb of ram, especially with aa/af enabled.

Wecolme to the Anandtech posting world.
I'll be happy to help.

 

[compgamer]

Originally posted by: happy medium
Can you give me a link to your local retailer?

www.filtechcomputer.com

Is there a reason why you don't buy online?

Im based out of toronto, the only good etailers are ncix.com, tigerdirect.ca & directcanada.com-with competitive pricing & none of the etailers based in the states are shipping to toronto. unless i missed some1

What games do you play or planning on playing? Doom type ?
Adventure type? Action?

more of the first person shooting + love strategy games WOW & hopefully civilization
But hopefully getting into oblivion & splinter cell

Finally what monitor do you have and whats your price range for your card?

Im planning on the 19" LCD (havent decided between viewsonic & samsung)..any suggestions?

Why are you stuck on the x1950?

didnt want to go jump onto the DX10 bandwagon as yet (even though the 8800gts 320MB i could get with an extra $100)just wanted to c wht r600 has to bring to the table & waiting for the 2nd gen G90 cards

Wecolme to the Anandtech posting world.
I'll be happy to help.

thanks and ur assistance is greatly appreciated

 

[happy medium]

Most 19inch monitors have a native resolution of 1280x1024. I think a 256mb x1950xt will be ok, but for newer games I'd just spend the extra 30 bucks and get the 512 mb version and overclock it. The new mid range cards from nvidia and the r600 will be out in 2 or 3 months and so will some new games.

Hope this helps

 

[compgamer]

Originally posted by: happy medium
Most 19inch monitors have a native resolution of 1280x1024. I think a 256mb x1950xt will be ok, but for newer games I'd just spend the extra 30 bucks and get the 512 mb version and overclock it.

but is there a difference between the MEM modules used for the 256 & 512 vers?. and if you log onto the sapphire site, they dont even have it listed + apparently there are NO reviews of the 512 ver. i guess it must be sort a silent release and i guess 512 ver could be overclocked to abt the same MEM freq of the 256MB.

 

[KeithTalent]

With respect to Canadian e-tailers I have always found DirectCanada to be the best for price and shipping.

I have never seen anyone beat their prices. For example you can get the XTX for less than the price of an XT from the store you listed or from NCIX (which I do stilll use sometimes).

That said I think you should get this: 8800GTS 640

Good luck man, oh and GO CANUCKS!!

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: compgamer

Originally posted by: happy medium
Most 19inch monitors have a native resolution of 1280x1024. I think a 256mb x1950xt will be ok, but for newer games I'd just spend the extra 30 bucks and get the 512 mb version and overclock it.

but is there a difference between the MEM modules used for the 256 & 512 vers?. and if you log onto the sapphire site, they dont even have it listed + apparently there are NO reviews of the 512 ver. i guess it must be sort a silent release and i guess 512 ver could be overclocked to abt the same MEM freq of the 256MB.

Most of the 256ers I have seen are GDDR3 and the 512ers are GDD4, if that is what you are asking.

Edit: look at the vid card page of DC: http://www.directcanada.com/category/?minorcatid=1862 and you will see both versions there. No reviews or anything, but they are for sale there at least.

 

[compgamer]

Most of the 256ers I have seen are GDDR3 and the 512ers are GDD4, if that is what you are asking.

thats wht i thought, but i guess in the x1950XT case, it appears to be the same kind of MEM GDDR3 for both vers..

so i decided to go the extra $35 for the 512 ver of the X1950XT - $335.00
but on the flip side i can get the EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800 GTS 320MB -$340.

lets c X1950XT 512 MB ($335.00) vs 8800GTS 320MB ($340.00), and it appears in most benchies the 8800GTS does lead the way & not to mention its DX10 compartible & with the evga upgrade path i could potentially get a newer card in 90 days.....

The x1950XT 512 MB as compared to the 256MB would have a better potential for resale, when i do decide to jump ships for the DX10 (hopefully after the prices dec + r600 comes out)...

Man oh man decision time..any thoughts?

 

[mylok]

newegg shows both the 1950XT 512MB/256MB Sapphire cards running 625/1800 and both use GDDR3. If you can spend the extra money get the 8800GTS I have one at it is great @ 1600x1200. Before I bought the 8800GTS I had a x1900XTX and the 8800GTS is much faster (I have the 640MB model from EVGA)