Hello. I know that some feel that 256 mb cards are out, but is the 8800GT still good in 256 mb? It would be running on a 17" 1280 x 1024 resolution screen. My motherboard doesn't have PCI express x16 2.0, just pci express x16 (in 8x). Will this card keep up with games comming out in the future for a while?
Another question, if you have the time. I have been told that over clocking isn't too great on components and shortens the life span. If you purchase a factory over clocked 8800 (I guess it would be a 8800GTS), will it have a shorter life span than a GT? Thanks.
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Originally Posted by Itronix
Hello. I know that some feel that 256 mb cards are out, but is the 8800GT still good in 256 mb? It would be running on a 17" 1280 x 1024 resolution screen. My motherboard doesn't have PCI express x16 2.0, just pci express x16 (in 8x). Will this card keep up with games comming out in the future for a while?
Another question, if you have the time. I have been told that over clocking isn't too great on components and shortens the life span. If you purchase a factory over clocked 8800 (I guess it would be a 8800GTS), will it have a shorter life span than a GT? Thanks.
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The 8800GT 256MB version is still a very good card, theres only a minimal difference(if even) between the 256mb and the 512mb versions.
In terms of overclocking bringing down the lifespan of components, don't sweat it. Components have a long enough life span even when overclocked. I personally havn't seen any proven stats stating that overclocking lowers the lifetime of a computer component.
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The 512MB version comes in handy if you play on higher resolutions, such as 1600 x 1xxx or 2xxx - 1xxx. The 8800GT 256MB would be perfect to run games on your 1280 x 1024 screen.
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Actually the 256Mb version can be alittle unstable, early benchmarks showed otherwise but newer benchies paint a slightly different picture. In certain games the 256mb will perform strikingly like it's 512mb brethen and in others it will lose much performance over the 512Mb, even at a modest resolution such as yours. Newer games, WiC and Crysis, with large textures and open area seem to slap the 256mb version around alittle bit, for example..
Anandtech makes the observation that 256Mb of VRAM is no longer good enough. Newer games will hunger for more, and a bottleneck would be forthcoming in such circumstances. I think a 3870 or the 512mb variant are much better choices, Personally.. Not to say the 256mb is bad, it's just behind the curve alittle.
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That is right, 256MB of VRAM are starting to become less sufficient. Is just like when everybody recommended to get a card with at least 128MB, but now is at least 512MB.
For the newer games of course.
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Ok! Thanks, everyone. I was going to get a 8600GT with 512 mb of memory, but I'm not sure what that card will amount to by next year. I'm waiting to play Mafia II when it comes out (supposedly next September) and , if it is released for pc, GTA IV. I want to make sure that I have a card that will be ready to play these well enough (at least a high medium). I was looking at a 2900 HD Pro, but it's a bit power hungry for my supply. Most games that I will be playing will be last generation (GTA, Godfather, Scarface, flight simulator, maybe medal of honor), so I probably won't need too much card, but I will surely take more consideration in the 512 mb 8800GT for the extra $50-$60 rather than the 256mb version.
Does anyone have any thoughts about the 8600GT for my application, just out of curiosity? I'm playing on a X200 at the moment, so just around anything would be an improvement to my eyes! Thanks again!
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Oh no no! Not the 8600GT! Lol, the 8800GT 256MB would own, and I mean PAWN the 8600GT 512MB. And regarding the HD2900Pro, the HD3870 is much, much better eats less power and is newer. And will let you play those games that you want to play like Mafia 2 and GTA IV IMO
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the 8600gt is no good for future or present games. If you want to play Mafia 2 and GTAIV, at all, definitely avoid this card. On the other hand, it will be a big improvement over your integrated, but for alittle more, the 3850 is heaps better.
so agreed ^
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Ok! How about this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102715
It's a little closer to my ideal price range than the 3870 is. Will this run in a board that isn't pci express X16 "2.0"? I don't have the 2.0 part
. Do you think that it will play the games I want at decent settings? Sorry for the questions; this is my first build, so I'm learning, and I'm on a budget. Thanks for all of your help!
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