New graphics card.... 512mb or 1gb?

[Demoniality]

Hello all... as the thread title says really.

Is the point here or coming soon where 512mb on a graphics card will be a limiting factor? I basically want to have a slightly future proof card.
I want to get a HIS HD4850. The 512mb i could get now but can't find the 1gb version in stock at this moment which is annoying.
Not sure if i want to go with the 512mb!

[Demoniality]

Forgot to mention... I mean for gaming.
I have a 256mb ati 850xt at the moment and its been suffering from a lack of ram in games for a long time (i haven't even bothered trying new games from the last year or more).

[aidanjt]

It depends on your OS, and how much RAM you have. If you have a 32bit OS (like XP Home/Pro) then getting a 1GB card is going to slice into the total amount of addressable RAM you have, since the limit for a 32bit OS is 4GB, if you have 4GB, you'll only have 3GB of RAM addressable if you get the 1GB card, for example. The addressing limitations don't exist with a 64bit OS like XP x64 or Vista x64.

But generally speaking, unless you have a large resolution monitor, like above 24", then 1GB graphics cards are a waste of space unless you're doing heavy GPGPU computations.

[mac124]

A lot depends on the resolution you play at. Assuming its 1280x1024 then 512 should be ample i would have thought, 512 maybe even plenty for 1680x1050. At 1920x1200 and above you might want to consider 1GB.

[aidanjt]

A lot depends on the resolution you play at. Assuming its 1280x1024 then 512 should be ample i would have thought, 512 maybe even plenty for 1680x1050. At 1920x1200 and above you might want to consider 1GB.

Naw, 512MB is still plenty for 1920x1200. If you're talking multiheaded gaming, then 1GB starts paying off.

[mac124]

Hmmm dunno have a google around, the 4850 1GB seems to benefit a little in some games, granted it is only to the tune of 4 or 5 fps at best.

[Webby]

Yeah you really will only start to see any benefit form 1GB cards once you get to 1920*1200 and even then it depends on the card for example if a 1GB 4850 would cost you £150 then spending an extra £25 on a 512MB 4870 would actually increase your performance more drastically, I would go as far as to say that a 1GB 4850 is probably next to pointless if the is a significant price premium involved.

[Demoniality]

Thanks for the replies
I've ordered the 512mb