Nvidia 6800 128mb or 256mb?

ReadyMan · Post by **ReadyMan** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:12 am

I'm still saving up for a new system (current 2.2 p4 with a 5900 w/ 128mb), but I've been thinking that a new video card might extend the life of my system (and be transferred to the new rig when I get it).

So my question:
is there much difference between the nvidia 6800 128mb card versus the 256mb card?

the 128mb card is $200 at compusa this week.
and the 256mb card IIRC is $400 (that's the GT model and there's an OC model as well for $500, but I have absolutely no idea what the difference is between these cards).

would I even see much difference between my 5900 128mb card and a 6800 128mb card?

thanks!

RM

Krom · Post by **Krom** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:39 am

The 256 MB 6800GT card will perform a solid bit faster then the vanilla 6800 128MB card. The 6800GT is the middle of the highend card, the 6800 non ultra is a botton of the high end, but both are considerably faster then your 5900/128.

I have a 256 MB 5900 Ultra, I'd say you should get the 256 MB card, the texture memory wasnt needed when I got this card, but they are starting to use it now.

Here is a quick breakdown of the 6800 lineup:
6800: 12 pipes, 325 core, 700 mem
6800 GT: 16 pipes, 350 core, 1000 mem
6800 Ultra: 16 pipes, 400 core, 1100 mem
6800 Ultra Extreme: 16 pipes, 460 core, 1200 mem

The OC parts are from BFG and are factory overclocked (which is covered in the warrenty unlike overclocking one yourself).

STRESSTEST · Post by **STRESSTEST** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 2:16 pm

heya, the compusa super deal is on for the 6800 right now. But if you want one get it today, they'll be out of stock soon

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=BROWSE

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:08 pm

A few points: It won't do well at resolutions above 1280x1024 w/ AA & AF on. A GT has twice the memory (256MB), clocks at 375/1000 (vs 325/700 -- 20% chance of overclocking it to GT speed on the core, memory not, it's slower/cheaper) and has 16 pixel pipelines plus 6 vertex shaders (vs 12/2 -- there's a 20% chance to enable the pp&vs). The 6800 will outperform any 5XXX card tho. $200 is too expensive IMVHO

Edit: heh, Krom wrote most of it already

Gainward Golden Sample cards do has warranted overclock as well.

Mr. Perfect · Post by **Mr. Perfect** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:57 pm

I might have read that wrong, but it sounds like you're buying a 6800 series card based purely on ram size. You need to be looking at the chip, not the ram. There are both 128MB and 256MB 6800GTs, and either GT will soundly kick the crap out of the regular 6800.

On that note, a 256MB GT might not be significantly faster then the 128MB GT at low resolutions, but the extra ram would definetly come in handy at high resolutions, if you use AA and AF, or in some of the new games that are startin to need more ram.

Pugwash · Post by **Pugwash** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:25 pm

Grendel wrote:A few points: It won't do well at resolutions above 1280x1024 w/ AA & AF on. A GT has twice the memory (256MB), clocks at 375/1000 (vs 325/700 -- 20% chance of overclocking it to GT speed on the core, memory not, it's slower/cheaper) and has 16 pixel pipelines plus 6 vertex shaders (vs 12/2 -- there's a 20% chance to enable the pp&vs). The 6800 will outperform any 5XXX card tho. $200 is too expensive IMVHO

Edit: heh, Krom wrote most of it already Gainward Golden Sample cards do has warranted overclock as well.

I know Gren is German so I babel'd this but it still didnt make any sense.

Pugwash · Post by **Pugwash** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:27 pm

what about a 6600gt? half the price, 90% of the performance.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:22 pm

Pugwash wrote:I know Gren is German so I babel'd this but it still didnt make any sense.

Wrong language dude -- it's techno babel