Difference between 320 mb and 640 mb?

[Messerschmitt]

The 8800 GTS has 2 different memory settings. But I understood that memory makes very little importance of the poerformance of the card.

So my question is, does it worth to spend an extra 150$ (400$ -> 550$) to get the 640mb variant or it's just a waste of money?

I'l be using my card for gaming (when I have free time )

Edited May 10, 2007 by Messerschmitt

[Zxian]

The main factor is what games you want to play. You'll have to look at the requirements of the current "version" of the games you want to play. If they're pushing the limits of the 320MB version, then you need to get the 640MB variant.

I don't know of that many games that need 512MB of graphics memory just yet...

[ripken204]

also what resolution are you at?

games like oblivion use over 500mb of vram at 1280x1024 with max settings. the 320mb will still kick a** in bascially every game.

there just will be those games where you will occasionaly/rarely see lag. so i would suggest the 320mb if you are running 1280x1024 or less.

[nmX.Memnoch]

Your anti-aliasing settings will also come into play. The higher AA level you use (or want to use), the more video memory you'll use.

[Messerschmitt]

So if I plan to keep it for about 3-4 years and then add a SLI for another 2-3 maybe 4 more years, should I invest for the 640mb memory one?

Or in 4 years from now adding another 320mb will result in sufficient memory (640mb total) in the next 8 years

[ripken204]

if you plan on using it for that long, then get the 640mb. vram has gone insane lately. games are using more and more of it. in 4 years it will probably be insane.

[puntoMX]

Or save the extra bucks and use them to buy a new card in 2 years or so? That’s what I would do...

S3 made a texture compression, now there seems to be a newer technology in the make that compresses better without to much performance loss.

Tried to find the article but can’t find it any more…

EDIT: Found it: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/10/04/Ga..._be_70_smaller/

Edited May 15, 2007 by puntoMX

[ripken204]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130071

330$ for an evga 8800gts 640mb, i dont see how you can go wrong there.

[Messerschmitt]

They don't ship to Canada

Punto Has a nice idea. As soon as it starts becoming too slugish I could just get second one

[jcarle]

They don't ship to Canada

Punto Has a nice idea. As soon as it starts becoming too slugish I could just get second one

$365 CAD at NCIX