GPU's - Its all getting a bit much now!

[Biscuit]

Back to the topic of NEW graphcs cards, anyone know why they changed back to the PCB layout which allowed the traditional 256/512 ram values over the newer 320, 640, 768 etc? Only reasons i can think is cheaper manufacturing and so aftermarket manufacturers could continue using their old aftermarket coolers.

[Behemoth]

I waited till the 8800 GT came down to a price that I could afford, then it dropped in price even more when I got it Still it was a big leap from my X1800 XT which I had for almost 2 years and I'm hoping that the 8800 GT will be the same.

[Pob255]

Back to the topic of NEW graphcs cards, anyone know why they changed back to the PCB layout which allowed the traditional 256/512 ram values over the newer 320, 640, 768 etc? Only reasons i can think is cheaper manufacturing and so aftermarket manufacturers could continue using their old aftermarket coolers.

Actually I think it was the other way around, the 8800gts, gtx and ultra used higher bit rate memory but then faster lower bandwidth memory was produced in larger quantites alowing it to be cheaper bringing down the total cost of the cards.
the 8800gts 320mb was rrp $299 when it first came out
the 8800gt 512mb was rrp $249 when it first came out

EDIT: rereading I think you ment what I just said that the 512mb ram option is cheaper.

[-iceblade^]

why did they change the memory sizes in the first place? 320 is a wierd number...

[Pob255]

it is a bit of an odd one
8800gts 320mb = 320bit, 1600mhz, bandwidth 64 GB/s
8800gts 512mb = 256bit, 1940mhz, bandwidth 62.1 GB/s

when you think the 320 is 32x10 it's not quite such an odd number and I can sort of see the thinking behind it, the GTX runs it's memory at the same speed as the GT but the extra bus size (384 how's that for an odd number) means it has nearly twice the bandwidth of the GT
It could just of been down to that at that time it was cheaper to produce the slower higher bus memory than the faster smaller bus memory.
We'll probably see higher bus memory again in the future, however what the bandwidth will be is going to be decided by common usage volume.
The fact it was only used for that one card pritty much spelled it's deathnel, if it had been used across the whole 8 series range it would probably still be with us on newer cards.

[SiM]

128 x 3 = 384
384 is a sexy number too

[-iceblade^]

aha... but 384 is not so wierd... 128 + 256... But then again, 320 is 64 + 256...

maths FTL.

thanks for the explaination, though; it makes a lot of sense.

-e- and no, SiM, not if it has anything to do with the 8800 crock-o-(expletives deleted) GS

[Biscuit]

Actually I think it was the other way around, the 8800gts, gtx and ultra used higher bit rate memory but then faster lower bandwidth memory was produced in larger quantites alowing it to be cheaper bringing down the total cost of the cards.
the 8800gts 320mb was rrp $299 when it first came out
the 8800gt 512mb was rrp $249 when it first came out

EDIT: rereading I think you ment what I just said that the 512mb ram option is cheaper.

Lol yeah that was what i kinda meant

[Agent]

I have several Matrox cards in a box here. Millenniums, Mystique's, a G200 and a Quad G200 PCI.

Who is it on here collects old graphics cards? One of the mods I think.

I keep meaning to put these up on the for sale forum for the cost of postage. No use to me, but obviously there are odd people that collect them

Back to the OP.

I find it really confusing, and the only times I look at graphics cards is when I start thinking abut upgrading my HTPC. All I need is HD acceleration, but it's still difficult working out what is best. Especially when cooling is a consideration.

Its Rys IIRC

[Funkstar]

Thanks Agent, may have to get in touch with him