six posts in at the very start Si, you said this,

But you did'nt discuss it in this thread it seems, could you point it out if you can find it !

Would'nt mind a read of it,
Lots of money about to be frittered away :D

Thats it.

Memory refresh rate!!

the point is that on MOST of the 256Mb cards they put slower memory on (that is the cycles are longer which means you have to wait longer to get the data from them), this was done because fast memory is expensive, they can get away with using it on 128Mb boards but if you double the size of the ram the cost doubles also which gives you a HUGE price difference between products which means you wont sell much of the higher end part.

soooo, what they did was put slower chips on the 256mb boards to keep the price closer to the 128mb, but as a result the 256mb boards are naturally slower! games which use the full 256mb texture memory will benefit as the 128Mb cards will be using AGP textures which is even slower than the slow memory on the 256mb boards.

The reason this wasnt apparent from some earlier benchmarks was that the cards dished out by the manufacturers has 256Mb of the FAST memory, just a trick of the trade, but now everyone knows the 256mb cards are just not selling.

What you want is a 128mb card OR a 256mb card with the fast ram (which of course you cant tell until you buy one)

Explain it?

Si wrote,
very thorough Si, very thorough. :rolleyes:


;)
Andy

Oi Less the cheek unless the Alton Towers photo will be released :D

Thats what I was looking for UHF.
Thank you very much :D:D:D
happy bunny now :D

question is, can I get a 256 with the fast memory by asking the seller ?? i.e overclockers....
Are they just a mass seller (never used em before) or are they interested in selling me what I want.... if they can get it ??

:):(
Andy

:eek:

<zip>


Andy

lol hehehe. Id stick with the 128mb as also said before theres no way you'd need 256mb anyway
Si

<grey matter ticking>

wonder if Footlong knows what the fast chips and the slow chips are.
Then I can mail overclockers, making it look like I know what I'm talking about ........

</grey matter ticking>

:D:D:D:D:D

Andy

most boards being sold now will be the slower chips, some manufacturers will be selling the faster ones as "gold" or "ultimate" editions, but in my experience you get what you're given unless it says otherwise.

I bought a Gainward Golden Sample GF3 a while ago and it had the fast chips is was supposed to and a friend bought a non Golden Sample one and it had the same ram!!!

I wouldnt worry, you really wont notice the difference unless you have the other card on the same system, I can run everything on my gf4 right now anyway, quite why you'd want a 9800 pro let alone one with faster memory I dont know!

you're quite right UHF, I was getting on quite fine with my 32MB v7700 :D
However, being as it crashed, I have it apart and want to "update" to the best current spec available, why not.... :D

Oh I'm learning fast ;)
DDR II memory in 256 has a higher latency than the DDR mem in the 128MB.
ATI have "clocked" the DDR II mem by 20hz to try to claw back some of this latency but have caused it to use more bandwidth in the process.

Sounds good..well bad actually
Oh feck I have no idea.... :D

Andy

Getting into it, reading up at the nordic forum and the bloody site goes down.
Is someone trying to tell me something :(

Si,
SHUT IT :D

wow! this thread's had over 2000 views :) - a rarity in Computer Related.

thats until I post a new thread called "sit on your ass all day getting no exercise but getting paid silly money? well call me now for a revolutionary new diet which involves just that"

Thats it !! wait until I have just purchaced one then do a group buy :)

Having just done the research it will depend on what make of card you buy (they are not all the same) Also try Crucial they where doing a deal at around £230.00 about a month ago.