128MB or 256MB??

[Feck]

Hi peeps, Im a long time lurker and this is my first post... so be gentle!
Is there any point to buying a 256MB graphics card over the 128MB versions. Im planning to upgrade my GF4Ti4200 (128MB) with a 9800Pro. My choice is 9800Pro 128MB for 130, or 256MB version for 200. Is there any point to paying 70 more for the 256 version?
Prices are from http://www.lowestonweb.com/
Apologies if that has be covered before.

[Byatt]

no. It really isn't worth the £70, in my opinion - the 256 will give a small bump in stupidly high res with IQ settings but it's just a bit pointless.

[mike_w]

I'm not sure if the 256mb version is actually any faster, but in my opinion, there's absolutely no way that an extra 128mb is worth £70. I'd would just go for the Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb for £130.

[ninjastyle]

I'll echo the words of the other guys.

[Feck]

Thanks for the quick response, thought about waiting for Gforce 6800 to hit the market, but my guess is theyd want 300 minimum for once of those.

Cheers

[LayZeh]

9800 Pro 256 are shipping with the XT core at the moment, so they're easily flashable up to a TRUE radeon xt with overdrive.

[blockers]

Disadvantages:
-slower
-not really needed
-more expensive

Advantages:
-bit of future proofing for HL2/Doom3/UT4
-XT core (as layzeh says )

So do pro's outweight the con's?

[funnelhead]

and the rrp of the 6800's is going to be closer to £500 than £300 on first release. Plus you might need to get a new psu. So i'd get the 128megger 9800


f

[steve threlfall]

Disadvantages:
-slower
-not really needed
-more expensive

Advantages:
-bit of future proofing for HL2/Doom3/UT4
-XT core (as layzeh says )

So do pro's outweight the con's?

nope, the card you want is at scan right now. An ati built 9800pro 128 OEM with the xt r360 core (easy flash to xt)

Charging an extra £70... they are taking the pee mate its just not worthit. I havnt seen any of these 256mb 9800pro's for a while- demand seems to have dropped off because everyones wised up to this marketing ploy

[Howard]

The memory isn't slower. It's just not necessary or worth it right now.

[chrisf6969]

get the 128MB!!!
128Mb is ample for the PLAYABLE resolutions and quality settings on this generation of cards. Games that start using over 128MB of texures at resolutions like 1600x1200 with 4xAA are the only place that you would actually see a difference. But the frame rates would probably be under 30fp and definitely under 60fps, so not really playable in my book.

Now the next generation of cards NV 6800 / ATI r420 you will want 256Mb b/c they will have the power to actually use it. But dont be fooled by the marketing bull in to getting a 512MB card. It will be the same situation again. They always double the memory a generation or 2 too early.