ATI 9800 PRO 128 or 256?

[b00bie]

I am putting another comp together soon and I just came into some extra cash. :D
I was thinking of getting the 9800 PRO but was thinking whether to get the 128 or 256MB... :confused:
I think there is no need for 256 at the moment and i would be going for overkill here. I have some money, but don't want to waste it just to have that extra mem.
I was wondering what you guys think. Can you help me out and give me some ideas? Maybe some pros and cons of both?

[digitalwanderer]

There's NO advantage to the 256Mb 'cept for bragging rights for now and the forseeable future...I don't even think Doom3 will use more than 128Mb, although I could be wrong.

Save yourself some cash, get the 128Mb. :thumbsup:

[b00bie]

Originally posted by digitalwanderer
There's NO advantage to the 256Mb 'cept for bragging rights for now and the forseeable future...I don't even think Doom3 will use more than 128Mb, although I could be wrong.

Save yourself some cash, get the 128Mb. :thumbsup:

That is exactly what I was thinking. I'm interested to see if anyone can make a case for the 256 though. :p
But thanks for the suggestion!!! :D

[deejaya]

Isn't there an option in UT2k3 that lets you use 256Mb? I haven't seen any screenshots but I remember reading it looked pretty sweet. If I was paying that amount for a card, I'd probably pay the extra little bit seeing as I wouldn't want to buy another card anytime soon after.

[Skuzzy]

Yes, UT2K3 has an option for higher res textures. Video card needs about 160MB of video ram to use it.

[UDawg]

For me it all comes down to what HL2 will require.

[CherryPopper]

Originally posted by UDawg71
For me it all comes down to what HL2 will require. Well as for requirements I'm sure HL2 will run on a 64 Meg board; however, as with UT2003 I'll bet it will have optional settings and high-rez texturing that will likely take advantage of 256 megs of on-board ram, as i would imagine DOOM III will as well.

[Avon]

There seem to be this 'HERE & NOW' thing with regard to the memory. Was it only just last year that 128Mb was way out there?

It is not about now, it is about 6-12 months time when I can play a game at 1200x960 with the eye candy when the 128Mb can only play it at 1024x768 because of texture size.

Anyway, nuff said from me!

That is my point of view, and I eagerly await for someone to change it for me :D

[CaptNKILL]

Well, I understand how a lot of you say its not worth it, but considering how FAST the card is, it has plenty of potential to use that ram. I mean, the thing can run the newest games at max settings, with all the Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic filtering on.... so, the way I see it, if you are going to spend that much freaking money anyway ($400), and you dont have any particular use for the extra $100, the 256Mb version will be better for longer.

[b00bie]

Originally posted by CaptNKILL
Well, I understand how a lot of you say its not worth it, but considering how FAST the card is, it has plenty of potential to use that ram. I mean, the thing can run the newest games at max settings, with all the Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic filtering on.... so, the way I see it, if you are going to spend that much freaking money anyway ($400), and you dont have any particular use for the extra $100, the 256Mb version will be better for longer.

there is always use for $100 :p

But I see your point. U guess the biggest argument for the 256 is that it will be better in the long run. :)

[StealthHawk]

By the time cards actually need 256MB of RAM there will be better cards available on the market. I say save your money, get the 128MB version instead of paying a premium for the 256, and once 256 becomes standard, buy a faster card later when the extra memory is cheaper/needed.

[b00bie]

Originally posted by StealthHawk
By the time cards actually need 256MB of RAM there will be better cards available on the market. I say save your money, get the 128MB version instead of paying a premium for the 256, and once 256 becomes standard, buy a faster card later when the extra memory is cheaper/needed.

Well said and I think that makes a good point. Thanks for all the input guys!!! :D

I think I will go with the 128 and save the $100 and some odd dollars towards the next card! ;)

[Compddd]

I will be buying r360 256 mb when it comes out and 256 nv40 or r420, whichever turns out to be the fastest

[fasedww]

Originally posted by b00bie
I am putting another comp together soon and I just came into some extra cash. :D
I was thinking of getting the 9800 PRO but was thinking whether to get the 128 or 256MB... :confused:
I think there is no need for 256 at the moment and i would be going for overkill here. I have some money, but don't want to waste it just to have that extra mem.
I was wondering what you guys think. Can you help me out and give me some ideas? Maybe some pros and cons of both? I got the Gigacube 256meg R9800 Pro yesterday, I like the silver aluminum heatsinks on all the memory and the GPU itself. Really nice looking card. Also even plays better this is my first AtI card and I'm sold. Games look much better than my TI 4600 I had in my computer.:D