Is This a Trick Question?

[captaincranky]

I've been shopping for a low end video card, Nvidia 8500GT, or thereabouts.
Anyway I found these 2 Biostar models;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141065

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141061

Here's the trick question. The prices are identical. but one is 512MB memory
the other is 256MB memory.
All other things being equal, the memory clock is faster in the 256MB model. (800 vs 667).
I like the big black fan on the 256MB card, but which do you guys think is the better buy?

Opinions please, DON'T hold back!

 

[xXxZxXx]

The one with more memory.

 

[SNGX1275]

512 model and use some software overclock bs to match ( or attempt to ) the 256 speed. I say this because in the past graphics memory wasn't all that important, speed was, but now lots of games are using more than 256. I'm playing games with my 8800 320 that I could use more ram on. RAM is more important now than it was a couple years ago.

What are you using it for though? That makes a difference, sort of.

 

[captaincranky]

Not So "Great Expectations".....

With apologies to "Charlie" Dickens.

I'll probably use it for dual monitors. At the most, High-Def TV out.

It's the both the same price thing, I can think of good reasons for that. Yet verily, my head still breaks.

 

[tweakboy]

Be very careful because I have a feeling the 256MB version might be 128bit lane
Compared to 256bit .

The reason their same price is because the 512mb version is 128bit ,, forget actual name of this. Then the 256MB is say 256bit. If this is truley the case then don't get a 128bit card, try to find a 256 lane card @ 512mb,,, GL,,

 

[Grafficks]

Actually, the memory interface bus-width is based entirely on the graphics chipset (GPU).
And (almost) all GeForce 8500 chipsets have a 128-bit interface (though some 8500's have are 64-bit, but none are over 128-bit).

 

[captaincranky]

$4..00 bought a lot back in 1950.....Well they didn't have computer stuff though....

Here's the 64 bit interface spoiler; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141066

It's from Biostar also, and it's $4.00 less. Don't panic, I just know that's not worth it.:blackeye: