Vid card 256MB@DDR3 vs 512MB@DDR2

I noticed that the GeForce 7600GTS (256MB@DDR3) is similar in price to the Radeon x1600 Pro(512MB@DDR2). This confuses me as DDR3 is faster than DDR2 of course but there is twice the memory. I'm leaning towards the 7600 as I've never used an ATI type of board before but as they now also have beta drivers for Vista this also comes into play. If this is just a balancing act, I'll just go with the 7600 as it's newer and faster technology, no other reason than that. Thanks and please don't go into to much technobabble as I probably won't get it.

 

as for me i'd choose 256@DDR3, you won't mention the difference between 256Mb and 512, but the speed of the memory is a very important issue.

 

Spot on ^^^. Speed over quanitity. 256mb is enough for most every game. I don't know any game that will take FULL advantage of 512mb vram. By the time games do, you'll be looking at an upgrade anyway.

 

Go with the 7600GTS, it's a much better performer that the 1600 Pro.

 

The 7600GS with DDR3 will hit 7600GT speeds if you know how to use coolbits or rivatuner. Also there are games out that do use 512mb of Video memory, Quake 4, Doom III, Call of Duty2, and Oblivion. But 512mb of ram is worthless unless your bandwith is highenough to fill it and where talking 20gb/s or better and on a 128bit bus thats ram that runs at 1320mhz or better.

 

Looks unanimous, thanks guys. Now to go spend some money.