What difference does the RAM make to graphics cards

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Hey there guys. I've been searching online for computers on websites such as "meshcomputers.com" and i need to know something. When choosing the graphics cards, I have the option for something like "7600 GT 256mb" and the option to make it an "7900 GT 256mb" cost about £80. But the option to keep it a "7600 GT" but increase it to 512mb cost about £120. I know this is a little confusing, but what I'm trying to get at is that it costs a bomb to increase the ram (is it even called ram?) of the graphics card, even more so then increasing the model of it. Why is that? I would of thought that getting a newer model would have greater benefits then increasing the ram?

 

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[Nightmare225]

The 7900GT would have greater benefits, it's just a faster chip. The 7600GT, even with memory added on, is still a mid-end, slower chip.

 

[JBT]

A 7900GT is going to smoke a 7600GT no matter how much ram it has. RAM makes VERY LITTLE difference in performance.

By the time that ram actaully is able to help the 7600GT even a little it would be unplayable at best. There is a very small difference between OCed 7900GT's and 7900GTX's and any difference is going to be very minor and only in a few games.

Anyways.... The 7900GT is a great upgrade the 512MB 7600GT is just a plain waste of money.

 

[1N0V471V]

A 7900GT uses a 256-bit memory interface whereas the 7600GT uses a 128-bit interface. On top of that, the 7900GT has WAY more pixel pipelines than does the 7600. A card with 256MB of RAM vs. a card with 512MB of RAM will only make a difference in the most high resolution, high quality gaming... and even then the performance gain is negligable. On the other end, 128MB can and is a limiting factor in some of todays graphics cards.

 

[dme92189]

512MB would only really be effective in games such as FEAR, but with a 7600 you wont be getting the graphics all the way up there on a high res anyway so go for something like a 7900GT!