supportting X memory?

ShadowBlade

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Feb 11, 2005
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what does it mean when a graphics card says, for example, it "supports 256MB DDR" as opposed to just having it?
 

VIAN

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Aug 22, 2003
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It means that the GPU can play with 256MB if it has to, but doesn't necessarily have to have it.

Current gen chips support up to 512MB. The graphics comanies would have to change part of the GPU to support more.
 

ShadowBlade

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Feb 11, 2005
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so how would you go about getting it up to its supported ammount? or am i reading what you said wrong?
 

VIAN

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Aug 22, 2003
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The manufacturer would decide how much memory they would find price acceptable to put on a card. You can't do anything about it.

Currently, there are no 512MB cards, but in about 3 months or so there should be some.
 

ShadowBlade

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Feb 11, 2005
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i still dont think im following you (lol, sry)
so is it like saying that this chipset can take 256MB or w/e, but this specific card doesnt have it?
 

VIAN

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Aug 22, 2003
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Yes.

for ex.

GPU MANUFACTURER --------------------------------------------
Nvidia says: the 6600GT GPU can support up to 256MB or RAM.

CARD MANUFACTURERS------------------------------------------
Leadtek says: I will outfit it with 128MB so it can be cheaper.

BFG says: I will OC it and add 256MB for extra power.

XFX says: I will will underclock it and use cheap components that fail while giving outsourced customer service to provide really cheap cards; and put 256MB to attract noob customers even though they can efficiently use that amount of RAM.

PNY says: Me too.

The driver also needs to support the amount of RAM.
 

Yossairian

Senior member
Dec 23, 2004
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Originally posted by: VIAN

XFX says: I will will underclock it and use cheap components that fail while giving outsourced customer service to provide really cheap cards; and put 256MB to attract noob customers even though they can efficiently use that amount of RAM.

PNY says: Me too.

LMAO, nice.
 

imported_Hi

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2005
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Originally posted by: VIAN
It means that the GPU can play with 256MB if it has to, but doesn't necessarily have to have it.

Current gen chips support up to 512MB. The graphics comanies would have to change part of the GPU to support more.


they can support more
i think like 2 gigs but no use yet
 

Fenuxx

Senior member
Dec 3, 2004
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Originally posted by: Hi
they can support more
i think like 2 gigs but no use yet

Negatory. With the current gen NV4x and R4x0 chips, the internal registers of the GPU support UP TO 512MB of RAM. Anything more, and like VIAN said, the GPU would have to be updated\redesigned to support it. Not like its a big deal anyway, as it will be some time yet before we see 1GB video cards. 512MB cards are just now starting to appear (in the consumer segment, anyway), and shouldn't be readily available for 2-3 more months.
 

imported_Hi

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2005
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Originally posted by: geforcetony
Originally posted by: Hi
they can support more
i think like 2 gigs but no use yet

Negatory. With the current gen NV4x and R4x0 chips, the internal registers of the GPU support UP TO 512MB of RAM. Anything more, and like VIAN said, the GPU would have to be updated\redesigned to support it. Not like its a big deal anyway, as it will be some time yet before we see 1GB video cards. 512MB cards are just now starting to appear (in the consumer segment, anyway), and shouldn't be readily available for 2-3 more months.


thanks for clearing that up