Apokarteron
banned
What exactly does the RAM in a GPU do? Will I see a great difference in games in one card with 512MB GDDR3 from another card with 128Mb GDDR3?
RAM in GPUs
- Thread starter Apokarteron
- Start date
Geoff
VIP Member
The ram stores the textures for the game. If you use a 128MB card, then some newer games will have to use lower quality textures in order to fit in the 128MB of memory, however in a 512MB card they can be using the highest quality textures.
But it's not just about memory. For example, a 128MB 6600GT would be a better choice than a 512MB 6200.
But it's not just about memory. For example, a 128MB 6600GT would be a better choice than a 512MB 6200.
Apokarteron
banned
How about the ATi X1600 128MB in comparison to the 512MB version?
reedbananaboat
New Member
the extra video ram will do you a whole hell of a lot of good.
especially on texture intensive games. doom3 ultra quality.
etc.
if you are sticking with the x1600 i would pay the extra $50 or so for the more than 4 times the video ram.
the more video ram the more textures you can hold on the videocard.
with less video ram your card will be doing swapping with system ram and sometimes even worse your hardrive.
for example if you are playing a game.
(extremely simplified)
say there is a room in this game.
in this room there are two boxes one on each side of the room.
now lets assume that each box is has a 128mb texture painted on it. (never gonna actually happen but for example.)
lets say you look at box1 with the 128mb texture painted on it.
when you are looking at it and holding still the framerates will be off the charts but when you turn around to look at the other box (keep in mind you only have 128mb on card ram) your framerates will go way down and possibly even freeze the game for a time depending on the speed and amount of your actual pc memory.
this is from the swapping going on between your pc and your vidoe card ram.
(basically the tranfer of each 128mb texture on and off of the card.)
now if wew were to conduct this expiriment with the 512 mb card the framerates would remain fast and glossy throughout your navigation of the room. because you could hold both of the 128mb textures on teh videocard at once.
room=512mb textures
vidcard
x1600-128=not enough to hold the 256 room
x1600-256=just enough to hold the 256 room
x1600-512=more than enough to hold the 256 room
any questions?
hehe i hope i helped
especially on texture intensive games. doom3 ultra quality.
etc.
if you are sticking with the x1600 i would pay the extra $50 or so for the more than 4 times the video ram.
the more video ram the more textures you can hold on the videocard.
with less video ram your card will be doing swapping with system ram and sometimes even worse your hardrive.
for example if you are playing a game.
(extremely simplified)
say there is a room in this game.
in this room there are two boxes one on each side of the room.
now lets assume that each box is has a 128mb texture painted on it. (never gonna actually happen but for example.)
lets say you look at box1 with the 128mb texture painted on it.
when you are looking at it and holding still the framerates will be off the charts but when you turn around to look at the other box (keep in mind you only have 128mb on card ram) your framerates will go way down and possibly even freeze the game for a time depending on the speed and amount of your actual pc memory.
this is from the swapping going on between your pc and your vidoe card ram.
(basically the tranfer of each 128mb texture on and off of the card.)
now if wew were to conduct this expiriment with the 512 mb card the framerates would remain fast and glossy throughout your navigation of the room. because you could hold both of the 128mb textures on teh videocard at once.
room=512mb textures
vidcard
x1600-128=not enough to hold the 256 room
x1600-256=just enough to hold the 256 room
x1600-512=more than enough to hold the 256 room
any questions?
hehe i hope i helped
Apokarteron
banned
Will I be able to max a game like Hitman Blood Money with the X1600 at 128MB?
reedbananaboat
New Member
this puppy for same price will rock the
x1600's world
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201323&CatId=0
x1600's world
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201323&CatId=0
