9600 XT: How much RAM?

[Plysthone]

Should I get the 9600 XT w/ 256M RAM for $25 US more than the 128M? I will be keeping this card for a while.

[AsianBatman]

If it only cost you 25 and you are going to keeping it for awhile sure why not, but you are not going to get any gain from it until games that use all that 256 mb come out.

[Dyck15]

Agreed.

If you can afford to go with the 256MB, then do it. Else you wont notice any difference with the 128MB model.

[Wiggo]

In actual fact the memory on the 256MB model won't be as fast as that on the 128MB model due to the cost factor of the extra memory.

[Demon Keeler]

from what I've read the 256 models are actually a bit slower than 128 models!!!! cheaper crappier ram !!

[AsianBatman]

In actual fact the memory on the 256MB model won't be as fast as that on the 128MB model due to the cost factor of the extra memory.

As stated by wiggo in a more apporpirate manner.

[Fleck]

If you're willing to take the leap from ~$155 (lowest on pricewatch) to ~$193 for the extra memory, which actually won't do you any good yet (benchmarks aren't showing any improvement with 256 over 128 yet) then you might as well take the leap and get a card that will actually perform unlike the 9600XT, and maybe overclock to 9800 Pro speeds, I'm talking about, of course, the 9700 Pro 128MB for ~$211.

In the mean time, I'll be making the smart long-term investment because I can now, and will be going with the 9800 Pro 128MB for about $290 (you can actually get them for about $270 but I want a specific model).

[Mista K6]

Doesnt this all not matter anyways, considering PCI-Express is coming out in about 2 months (tentatively), and all of those cards are going to be so much faster? I dont think anything is "long-term" now, too bad really. : peace2: Mista K6

[weta]

Mista K6: At present it doesn't look like either the R423 or NV45 will be available until around May/June.

[E^vol]

Here is my opinion :

-If you have "just enough" cash for a video card alone, get one now (my choice = 9700Pro)

OR....

-If you have more cash available, (ie: you are planning multiple upgrades) then wait (and save) until summer 2004 for the BTX format which will use PCI-Express in the better cooled design !!

As stated, my :2cents: