7600GT 256Mb or 6800GS 512Mb???

[Ozzhedian]

I am stumped :? . I want to upgrade my GFX but i'm not sure how to go about it...
I recently read a review of the XFX 7600GT 256Mb XXX
--> http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/xfx_7600gt_xxx/index.shtml <--
where it comprehensively (and to my surprise) beat the eVGA 6800GT 256Mb.

That's all good and well, but then i found the Gainward 6800GS 512Mb
--> http://www.gainward.net/products/product.php?products_id=10.
Core clock is up 135Mhz to 485Mhz and memory up 300Mhz to 1300Mhz. Another bonus is the fact that it has :eek: 512Mb of 256bit :eek: RAM. All of this at the equivalent of +- $5 more.

Should i go for the Gainward or the XFX? I'm sort of leaning to the 6800GS. What do you guys think?

Thanx guys.
Oz

[monoflap]

The Gainward seems a little more future proof to me with the 512 mb of ram. Really, I think the differance between those cards will be neglegible. I would go one way or the other, all out or save my money (I don't know what those cards cost).

[VandaL]

Well, i just got eVGA 7600GT KO 256MB, its got 580MHz core and 1.5GHz in Memory!!! and they advertise it as Vista ready. and ive read in many places that its the best deal....however you say Gaiward is 512MB...

[Fozzy]

You dont need the extra ram unless you're playing at 1600x1200 and higher resolutions.

[CanaBalistic]

The more ram the card has the less compression the textures have to go through. And thus, better performance. Now wether that gain is better than more Mhz is debatable...

I have a Saphire x700 256mb. My next card(s) will have at least 512mb.

[crenn]

I would say get the 7600GT, it's faster and shouldn't have a problem with any game. It also should have more features! But I can't confirm or deny that.....

[qoou]

well actually that depends, do u have PCI express? if no, get the 6800GS, if yes, get the 7600GT. ur looking at a proud owner of a 7600GT. or reading. idk...

[Silenced_Coyote]

I think I remember reading an article a while back showing the 512MB made no difference at all (frames per second wise).

Oh, I found it on Toms Hardware when they were discussing Oblivion. Here is the page. Note, they said this but did not test it, "it's likely that flicking the anti-aliasing switch would demonstrate a more significant delta".

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/10/can_your_rig_run_oblivion/page11.html