256 MB question

[Cromewell]

Ultra is quite playable on a 256MB card and produces about the same framerates as on High

Despite id Software’s claims that the Ultra High Quality mode is only recommended for graphics cards with 512MB of memory, we were surprised to see the game running very smoothly on cards with 256 megabytes. We saw no differences in performance with the five above-described maps: all the difference fitted into the measurement error range (1-2 frames per second), even with full-screen antialiasing in 1600x1200. For example, here are the results of the most complex Hellhole level:

There’s no use in posting diagrams we got in the Ultra High Quality modes, since they are practically analogous to the ones we got with the High Quality settings.

Well, it is possible that the records we made have less graphical data than 256MB, but we never had a moment in the real game when 256MB would be not sufficient for the Ultra High Quality mode. If there was a performance hit, it was too small to be noticed.

 

[Praetor]

Despite id Software’s claims that the Ultra High Quality mode is only recommended for graphics cards with 512MB of memory

For some reason i think a lot of people "think" that iD said "Ultra High Quality mode requires 512MB" .... the wording is "reccommend"

 

[Funzo6785]

exactly

I meant that 512 mB is pretty much recommended if not required to enjoy the game on ultra. I talked to a guy who had a top of the line rig with a ATI X800 Platinum 256 mb, and he said he could play it, but the game stopped every 5 seconds because the textures had to do something that ran easier with 512 MB instead of 256. And no one has answered my question, if you linked to top of the line 256 MB cards together, would it make up for a 512 MB card. (This was a very fun post to argue about I take it)

 

[Praetor]

he said he could play it, but the game stopped every 5 seconds because the textures had to do something that ran easier with 512 MB instead of 256

Uhh...
1. There isnt a world of difference (in Doom3) between rigs packin 256MB-1024MB of system memory
2. The reccomendation for 512MB is for video memory and as of yet, no such cards are available (although ATi has announce theres)

And no one has answered my question, if you linked to top of the line 256 MB cards together, would it make up for a 512 MB card.

No. You get two 256MB cards. Seriously. It's like that silly notion in some other thread about linking CPUs together getting a massively power single CPU .... not gonna happen