Which Radeon 9800?

[integra]

I'm going to buy a new graphics card tomorrow and it's probably going to be one of the Radeon 9800 cards. But I don't know whether to get the 128 or 256 version? I want it to be able to run Half Life 2 but if the 128 version will suffice then I'd rather save my money and get that one. Is there much difference between the 2?

[j4ck]

Here are some benchmarks that compare the two (along with some other cards)

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/connect3d-2.html

Not unsurprisingly, the 256MB outperforms the 128MB in benchmark tests. However, both perform well (especially for the money).

If you are thinking about playing Doom3 and/or Far Cry you might want to go with the 256MB.

By the way, if you look into getting a card built by one of ATI's manufacurers (like Sapphire or Powercolor) you will save a few bucks and still get a quality card. Maybe this will influence your decision. :)

[integra]

Thanks j4ck :)

[kram 2.0]

Here are some benchmarks that compare the two (along with some other cards)

Not unsurprisingly, the 256MB outperforms the 128MB in benchmark tests. However, both perform well (especially for the money).

If you are thinking about playing Doom3 and/or Far Cry you might want to go with the 256MB.

By the way, if you look into getting a card built by one of ATI's manufacurers (like Sapphire or Powercolor) you will save a few bucks and still get a quality card. Maybe this will influence your decision. :)
Going through price to performance ratio, the 256MB version isn't really worth it - I wouldn't particularily recommend buying it. The Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB is roughly 50 USD more than the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB. Consider that they perform about neck to neck with each other on most tests. The 256MB version obviously has twice the onboard memory as the 128MB one...but the 256MB one utilizes a slower less efficient memory which counterbalances its large memory. Personally, I think that the Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB isn't worth it. I have the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB and it's working wonderfully. The Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro is 195 USD at Newegg if you're interested :D.


Hope that helps,
kram