An HD 2400/2600 question...

[ARCJr]

I tried posting in the ATI section, but never got an answer. Is there any effect on Home theater uses, heat, or power draw, from the different memory configuartions for a given card. i.e. 256MB DDR2 vs 512MB DDR2 on a 2600pro, or 256MB DDR3 vs 256MB DDR4 on a 2600XT?

[LandShark]

as far as I can tell, more video memory (256 vs 512) doesn't do much on video performance. from what I've read, faster memory speed might only yield very slightly (single digit less GPU usage) performance gain even on HD material! and as far as I can tell, the Pro & XT has the exact same video performance.

I really think the 2600Pro is probably the best HTPC video card in the market right now. however, for the price difference between the Pro and XT card, if I'm on the market for a video card for my main HTPC, I'll decide on one that has the quietest/best cooling that the difference between Pro or XT, or price.

[ARCJr]

That's basically what I expected, but I could never find any data to back up my assumptions. :-/ Thanks , LS.

I don't have the same concerns for cooling, as the first thing I will do when I get the card is remove the heatsink/fan, stick on the Swiftech copper heatsinks, and bolt on the Maze5.

FWIW, I've had good luck with Sapphire cards in the past (x800XL and a 9500pro that are still running well).