256MB or 512MB 8800GT for 1280x1024 and 667 or 800 RAM?

[westy159]

The amount of money i could save by choosing a 256MB 8800Gt over a 512MB and by choosing 667Mhz over 800Mhz RAM is really appealing.

But will performance loss not be worth it?

I have a 1280x1024 17" monitor. Is 256mb enough for this (mind that I want to play Crysis on the highest possible settings)? Or is 512mb starting to become a necessity?

Also is it really worth buying 800Mhz RAM over 667Mhz? I could save £20 by doing that.
How does the Mhz of RAM come into play? I heard it links in with your CPUs FSb (E6550 2.33Ghz, FSB1333Mhz)

Cheers.

 

[Vaanish]

Well if you want to play Crysis on highest possible then I would go with this Graphics/RAM combo:

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA804)

HIS ATI Radeon HD 3870 XT 512MB GDDR4 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Yes, it would be hard to overclock a native 1333MHz processor with 667MHz RAM.

 

[fhasser]

You can't play with everything on highest possible with either of these GPU. I thought you knew that. So please, do forget about Crysis maxed out for the moment .

Or, if you can afford to SLI Ultra's, that might help a bit.

 

[gurusan]

Vannish's recommendation is a good one...but I would get a 8800GT if you are willing to wait for them to become available again.

 

[westy159]

I meant highest possible as in the highest I can could get it to play. Not the highest possible that the game can achieve.

But thanks, ill look into the new Radeon 3870.

Id still like an answer on the VRAM requirements for a 1280x1024 resolution, if anyone has one...?

 

[Vaanish]

512MB will be definately enough for that resolution. And on the 3870 its GDDR4 so that sweetens the deal somewhat.

 

[Poizen22]

sli 8800gt or cross fire the 3870.

 

[gurusan]

For Crysis you will definitely NOT want to get a graphics card with 256mb.

512mb is pretty much the new standard for gpu ram....not quite there...but almost.

 

[Invisible]

go with an 8800gt 512mb
it should handle the games you want to play great
and definatly go with this RAM
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail