x1800xt 256mb

[acegazda]

I'm really considering the 256mb x1800xt for my new rig, especially since it's $205 shipped for the oem version. Before I buy it however, I know that 512mb of vram makes a difference at higher resolutions. I'm getting a viewsonic vx2025. Would I need/benefit from 512mb of vram? Where can I find benches that include both the 256 and 512 mb versions of this card? Thanks in advance.

 

[acegazda]

bump^^no one?

 

[PingSpike]

I can't remember where...but I'd read a site that did some great benchmarks on the effect of vram, specifically 256 vs 512. Some one on here refered it to me, since I had the same question. The benchmarks seemed to indicate that at 1024x768 and it didn't make any difference. At 1280x1024 is started to make some difference and above that it made a noticable difference in frame rates. They reported "hitching" that the framerates didn't really indicate at those higher resolutions as well.

Based on that, I'd say to get the 512mb version...since its a native res of 1680x1050 right?

 

[acegazda]

yeah 1680x1050 native res, I might even go for the x1900xtx if I can come up with another $150. It's $355 shipped from pagecomputer.com. The 512mb version of the x1800xt is still like $300, and for that $$ I may as well get the x1900xt for the same price. If you think of that link, or if anyone else knows what pingspike is talking about please post! Thanks pingspike!

 

[MrGlobe]

Well if you monitor is going to support that high of res, it would probably be best to go with the 512. I am guessing you will need the extra power. I had an x1800xt 256 and my monitor only goes up to 12x10, and it was about perfect. I would get about 70fps in most games, fairly close to max settings.

Globe

 

[zendari]

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[acegazda]

Originally posted by: MrGlobe
Well if you monitor is going to support that high of res, it would probably be best to go with the 512. I am guessing you will need the extra power. I had an x1800xt 256 and my monitor only goes up to 12x10, and it was about perfect. I would get about 70fps in most games, fairly close to max settings.

Globe

thanks, how long do you think a x1900xtx would last me?

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: zendari
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thanks but this is a better deal without the MIR

 

[MrGlobe]

I think a x1900xtx will last you quite a long time. I mean, it seems like people usually get around 8 months to a year at max settings. When i bought my x800 series card, it was pretty close to top of the line, and i got about 9 months of being able to have close to max settings. DX10 is coming, but not for a while, and even then, thats only first gen so it will suck.

What does everyone else think? How long do you get with really high settings when you buy top end cards?

Globe

 

[Fraggable]

You definitely don't want the 256 version at that res. I game at 1440 X 900 with my 256 mb version and I get hitching when I move too quickly, I can tell it's when it's loading new textures. The 1900XTX is really just about the best out there, but personally, I can't imagine spending that much on a new top of the line card with DX10 out there so close. I'd say go for a 76/7900GT or something similar for now and save your pennies for a Conroe/DX10 rig later on.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
You definitely don't want the 256 version at that res. I game at 1440 X 900 with my 256 mb version and I get hitching when I move too quickly, I can tell it's when it's loading new textures. The 1900XTX is really just about the best out there, but personally, I can't imagine spending that much on a new top of the line card with DX10 out there so close. I'd say go for a 76/7900GT or something similar for now and save your pennies for a Conroe/DX10 rig later on.

didn't you just say that 512mb is necessary at that res? Anyway the x1900xtx is a steal @ $355 shipped. Might go x1900xt though...

 

[MrGlobe]

You realize that by telling him to wait for dx10, you are telling him to give up 6 months + of beautiful gaming?

"If you decide to wait to upgrade to next gen, you will be waiting forever"

My opinion is that you should get the best you can buy for the money you wanna spend.

But thats just me

Globe

 

[PingSpike]

I think waiting for dx10 is a waste, since it won't even be a must have thing right after it comes out, at least not for awhile. And since its a vista exclusive...I wouldn't hold my breath, given how many times that has been delayed.

Its been awhile, but most of the benchmarks I'd read didn't have the xtx very far ahead of the xt at all, certainly not worth the extra cost anyway. And I've heard its a trivial matter to overclock to xtx levels anyway.

 

[Kromis]

I think I read on FiringSquad that sometimes the 512 MB version runs a few frames slower than the 256 MB version in Oblivion.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: Kromis
I think I read on FiringSquad that sometimes the 512 MB version runs a few frames slower than the 256 MB version in Oblivion.

That would be impossible unless the RAM was either lower clocked or higher latency.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: wizboy11

Originally posted by: Kromis
I think I read on FiringSquad that sometimes the 512 MB version runs a few frames slower than the 256 MB version in Oblivion.

That would be impossible unless the RAM was either lower clocked or higher latency.

My bad. Its the X800XL 512MB that runs just a tad slower than its 256MB brethren. (Tad meaning like .2 FPS slower)

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: Fraggable
You definitely don't want the 256 version at that res. I game at 1440 X 900 with my 256 mb version and I get hitching when I move too quickly, I can tell it's when it's loading new textures. The 1900XTX is really just about the best out there, but personally, I can't imagine spending that much on a new top of the line card with DX10 out there so close. I'd say go for a 76/7900GT or something similar for now and save your pennies for a Conroe/DX10 rig later on.

didn't you just say that 512mb is necessary at that res? Anyway the x1900xtx is a steal @ $355 shipped. Might go x1900xt though...

Ok that was stupid, I wasn't thinking about memory size.

I know it'll likely be a while before DX10 is really used, but look at Crysis. Obviously there will be games that take advantage of it to some degree.

That's just what I would do in your position, maybe it doesn't make sense.