Graphics cards: 1G of DDR2 VS. 512MB of DDR3?

1GB of DDR2 vs. 512MB of GDDR3?

  • Total voters
    19
  • Poll closed .
LordRhythm

LordRhythm

Rookie
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
30
Hey guys, I'm shopping for some parts to upgrade my PC to handle Fallout 3, and I'm honestly stumped on which way to go. The best deals I've found are an Nvidia GeForce 8600GT Fatal1ty edition with 1GB of DDR2 for 102.99, or an Nvidia Geforce 9600GT with 512MB of GDDR3 for 128.99.

The differences I'm aware of are thus:
GDDR3 runs with lower power, therefore running cooler, and better for overclocking and/or stability.
However, GDDR3 is not quite double the data rate of DDR2, therefore it would have to have more than just half a gig to be comparable to the 1GB of DDR2, as far as bandwidth rate goes.

SO I'm asking you guys... which one seems better to you?
 
Last edited:
I've never heard of a 8900, not a GTX version of the 8600...

but besides that... the amount of memory doesn't come into play unless you playing at VERY high resolutions... so unless you plan on doing like.. 1900 x 1200 or somewhere in there or higher I would go with the GDDR3... bandwidth would do you better then amount in most cases.
 
xKodiakx said:
I've never heard of a 8900, not a GTX version of the 8600....
Click to expand...

These are both clearanced products at my local Best Buy, and honestly I can't say I've seen them around before either. The 8900GT Fatal1ty I know is correct, I snapped a shot of it with my phone. The 8600GTX I only know by memory...

I'm swinging by there in about half an hour to make sure they're both still there and make a few more comparisons.
(It's on the way to pick up my girlfriend ;) )
I'll edit first post if I got product name wrong.
 
OK I updated the original post, couldn't update the poll however.
But seriously guys card model doesn't matter here.
What my question breaks down to, regardless of card model, is this:
Should I go with 512MB of GDDR3, or 1GB of DDR2?
 
Post your system specs and the Video Card The Monitor / Resolution you intend to game at.

Thanks.

And if i was going to buy a new card right now i would get a 4870 if i had a mobo for it.

With my nividia board i have dual gts g92. Those things are beasts and overlock well.. I play crysis at 45 frames everything on high with this setup.
 
9600gt would be the better choice. 8600s were not that great...Remember memory is not all core speeds and mem speeds have a big effect in it too. The 9600gt is a lot better just look at benchmarks for them.
 
I will simply state the usual: You are only as fast as your slowest connection. Go with the DDR3.
 
I'm running a 9800 on mine with overclock, so :) i'm a happy camper for now

but i did vote :D
 
Ok dudes, I've made my decision. 512MB of DDR3 is on its way to my house from newegg, got it like 40 dollars cheaper there ;).
Thanks for all the input!!
-Void™
 
for the record the card model DOES matter. memory has clocks just like processors and 1 gb of ddr2 can such as much as 512 if the clock sucks. and the amount of memory a card has usually has MINIMAL impact on how it performs. i had a 8600 gt with 512 of gddr3 which SUCKEd and now i have a 9800 gt with 512 gddr3 and it kicks ass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top