Sapphire 9600xt 256MB?

[Impaler]

I am keen to pick up a card pretty soon and I was looking at the following:
ATI RADEON 9600XT SAPPHIRE ATLANTIS 9600XT 256meg DDR TV / DVI

I was hoping someone could tell me the memory speeds? I know that the 9600pro 256MB does not perform as well as the 128MB version due to slower memory speed. Is this the same deal with the xt?s?

I ask this as the pdf file on sapphires site is corrupted/refuses to open every time I download it and google has given me conflicting answers.

 

[Blastman]

Not sure. Haven?t been able to find any info on the memory speeds of a 256MB 9600XT.

On a midrange card like the 9600XT, 256MB is not really even being close to used -- 128MB is plenty.

In the reviews I?ve seen so far, the Sapphire 9600XT 128MB comes with 2.8ns Samsungs which should overclock quite nicely. I would just get the 128MB card.

rage3d
Straight to the point, the only instance where a 256mb frame-buffer would show any current advantages is when running in a high-resolution and high Anti-Aliasing setting. Putting it on a card that can't possibly handle that combination is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. ? ?

 

[nick1985]

i hear the 256 version is slower than the 128 because of slower clockspeeds or something. plus 256 meg is worthless

 

[Impaler]

OK thanks guys I'll wait until I can find the 128MB version. For some reason all the local retailers around these parts seem to have 256MB versions but there is not a 128MB one to be found. Ill wait a few weeks and then if still nothing Ill order one.

 

[Pete]

No, I think Sapphire's and Powercolor's 256MB 9600XT's will be at least as fast as 128MB cards. In fact, I believe one of them will offer a 256MB version with slightly faster RAM. 256MB isn't useful for the majority of titles, but some can make use of it. Call of Duty, for instance. HL2 and Doom 3 should be able to stretch their legs with 256MB for textures, too.

 

[Impaler]

Hmm well if the memory is the same speed then I would consider getting the 256MB version. It is available to me and more memory cant do any harm. Do you have a link to the info about the 256 card mem speed?

 

[Pete]

Well, it wouldn't be worth more than $20 to me. Don't go blowing your cash on a feature that'll likely be seldom used with a mainstream card. No link, but that's what I heard. I'm sure if Sapphire doesn't have the info on their site, NewEgg or a review site will provide the info. Did you check Rage3D or their forums?

 

[Impaler]

Yeah I went through the rage3d forums and others as well but couldn?t find an exact answer. Had another search a few hours ago and found this over at 8Dimensional Playground forum.
sapphire 9600XT 128MB - 500/325 (core speed/memory speed)
sapphire 9600XT 256MB - 500/290

So I'll wait and get a 128MB version.