radeon 8500 64mb or 128mb?

[Theman7747]

i'm lookin at gettin a video card for my dad, and he wants to spend around $100....so i checked on pricewatch and it looks like i can get a build by ati radeon 8500 64 mb for around there, and the 128mb version for a little bit more. I looked on tom's hardware, the test that the did a whole bunch of different cards, and it turned out for them that the 128 was a slight bit slower than the 64. This doesn't really make any sense to me, but the article was a few months back. In theory a 128mb card should be faster than a 64mb version............so which one should i get?

 

[Stalka]

the 64mb verisons are a little bit faster... if money is an issue then get a 8500LE 128mb(250/250) and overclock it to a 8500(275/275)... thats MO

 

[Slayn]

I bought a Radeon 8500LE 128MB from CompUSA for $99 and It overclocks to 300/300 easily, I didnt do any mods or even replace the hsf.

 

[Theman7747]

so it would prolly be best to get the 128 and overclock it a bit?

 

[thestramel]

If you can get a 128mb version with 3.3ns RAM. I have one a 128mb 3.6ns version. It overclocks very well, especially with a Crystal Orb and RAM sinks. Like Slayn mentioned, you can overclock it without any mods and at least get to 275/275.

 

[Stalka]

yea 275/275 will be no problem with the ati radeon 8500le 128mb, thats what i would do they are really cheap too!

 

[funnyperson1]

the extra 64mb will help with games like UT2003 and DoomIII which have large textures

 

[Cisco Kid]

If you can get a 128mb version with 3.3ns RAM. I have one a 128mb 3.6ns version. It overclocks very well, especially with a Crystal Orb and RAM sinks. Like Slayn mentioned, you can overclock it without any mods and at least get to 275/275.

the only 8500 1228 ddr cards that have 3.3 ns are the regulare 128 DDR 8500 clocked at 275/275 none of the 8500LE cards come with 3.3 ns they all come with 3.6 ns ram if built by ATI.

Cisco kid

 

[TheFrag]

well, what does your dad do on his PC?

 

[SemiCycle]

the 128MB card would be more futre proof

 

[OC-Master]

128MB for sure. Trust me, 64MB isnt enough. UT2003 can make full use of up to 256MB of Video ram so go for the most!


OC-Master

 

[advanR]

cisco, my "bulk" LE from newegg has 3.3ns memory. its a 64mb card clocked at 250/275.

 

[Theman7747]

Looks like i'll go with the 128..........thanks everybody!

 

[Stalka]

no prob d00d, tell us how it works out also...

 

[Cisco Kid]

cisco, my "bulk" LE from newegg has 3.3ns memory. its a 64mb card clocked at 250/275.

read what I said in the last few words of my post and thats i"if built by ATI" some 3rd party cards may offer 3.3 but not ATI built 128 LE cards. BTW how does your 3.3 overclock??

cisco kid

 

[advanR]

it is built by ati. i dont know where newegg got them but everyone that ordered the same card got 3.3ns hynix memory. the card was clocked 250/275 stock. Now, mine can hit 28*/324 without any additional cooling or voltage mod. I know this card needs more voltage because i have read it has less voltage than retail cards. I just ordered the cooljag hsf and will install it soon. I guess ill tell you how the gpu fairs after that.

 

[funnyperson1]

read what I said in the last few words of my post and thats i"if built by ATI" some 3rd party cards may offer 3.3 but not ATI built 128 LE cards. BTW how does your 3.3 overclock??

cisco kid

i have the same card....it hits 315 with no sweat, at 317 it start artifacting