What's better more GPU memory or higher memory clock?

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Threepwood

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Thinking I might be able to wangle one of these HD3650s:

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=2059&l1=2&l2=8&l3=637&l4=0

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=2105&l1=2&l2=8&l3=637&l4=0

The first has 256mb and a 1.6GHz memory clock, the second has 512mb and a 1.4GHz memory clock.

So which should give better overall performance in games?

Most graphics benches I've read show little improvement with extra memory over 256mb, at least with these kind of lower-end cards, so I'm thinking the faster clocked one would be better?

It will probably (hopefully) go into a system something like this:

Biostar TP35D2-A7
2x1GB DDR2-800
E2180
Thermaltake litepower 400w

On another note, does anyone have any ideas about when the lower end HD4000s are coming? I thought I should maybe wait for that.
 
I'm thinking the 512mb will win in a real-world app.

1.4->1.6 = 14% increase
256->512 = 100% increase

Obviously that does not correlate 1:1 with performance, but the end result should still pan out in favour of 512.

Would also depend on what resolution you'd be rolling with. i.e. LCD's native res.
 
ATM I've got a crt 17-inch, so no native res to worry about.

Hopefully a res of 1024x768 at least, I wouldn't expect a whole lot more than 1280x1024 though with this setup.
 
A low res would favour the high clock one, but I'd still go with the 512 on balance. Are the GFX's identical otherwise? 'cause that can also make a huge difference.
 
Do you think I could get decent performance much higher than those resolutions I mentioned with that setup?
 
Threepwood said:
Do you think I could get decent performance much higher than those resolutions I mentioned with that setup?
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Kinda, but on hardcore stuff like Crysis any AA will kill it. Other games like say UT3 and all the other things based on the UT3 engine should be fine at max setting...but not at much higher than 1024x768.

For comparisons sake, I've got a 3850 and start hitting limits in Crysis at 1024x768 2xAA and DX10 highest settings hack applied. And thats not entirely fluid on all levels so I'd either have to loose the AA or drop the detail. I'd guess you'd get something similar with a 3650.
 
Anyone else have an opinion on my original query?

The first has 256mb and a 1.6GHz memory clock, the second has 512mb and a 1.4GHz memory clock.

So which should give better overall performance in games?
Click to expand...

I'm most worried about the performance I can get in Oblivion, if that makes much difference.
 
Assuming that the bus width is the same I'd get the lower clock speed and overclock it to the 1.6Ghz ;)
 
Threepwood said:
I'm most worried about the performance I can get in Oblivion, if that makes much difference.
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Haven't played Oblivion, but it can't be worse than Crysis on the hardware requirements front. So it should work nicely.;)
 
I guess, I hadn't really thought of that :D

The higher memory one only has passive cooling though, do you think a small overclcok like that would increase temps much?
 
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Threepwood said:
I guess, I hadn't really thought of that :D

The higher memory one only has passive cooling though, do you think a small overclcok like that would increase temps much?
Click to expand...

well... honestly, I think in the range of say 5degree's MAYBE 10 degree's max. it's not much of an overclock, but it will add a bit more power and make more use of the 512 :p...

and remember, you can always add a better cooler, and over clock the mem, but you can't add more mem and overclock ;)
 
faster car engine or bigger fuel tank ?
 
Pink fluff round the keyboard, you mean, and underside mounted blue LEDs with a strobe attached to the back of the screen.
 
Oblivion is quite old now, so it will run nice and smooth with a good cpu.
I would also go for the 512.
Some high res texture mod packs for oblivion recommend a 512 MB card
 
I was wondering about those addons. I thought extra GPU RAM would give better performance with higher res textures.

I think now though, I might wait and see what the HD4650/44**s are like before buying though, I'm hoping they will be out quite soon.
 
ja, go for the more ram, migrating from xp to vista upgrade'ed the nvidia GT8600 driver to share the system ram, and leaves only 800Mb for vista. the preformance seems better than what it was on xp, but it jerks and the hd goes crazy, reckon it's busy swapping?
ag well, shouldn't be too pricey an upgrade. an extra gig should be enough right?
 
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