ddr3 or ddr 2 on 8500GT

sanquar · **7th March 2008, 10:09 PM**

Hi all,

My 7300gs Nvidia card in my HTPC lost all its smoke out of one of its components and I've started looking for a replacement card.

The 8500GT suits my needs perfectly (as does the 8600GT) for video rendering. The 7300gs could pump out the required 1920x1080P @ 75 hertz to my TV and the 8500 / 8600 GT has all the functions of the 7300 with the added ability for much better rendering of HD content.

I need a passive cooled card and there seem to be a few around. What I am having trouble deciding between is 256mb ddr3 ram or 512mb ddr2 ram...
I do not game so that is one redundant requirement. Does anyone have any valid info on which model card would be better suited to my needs. Any links would be great. I have been lookjing but only come across hearsay and the like..

Maybe the ram type or size will not affect my needs...?

Cheers,

dgaust · **7th March 2008, 10:12 PM**

I had an 8600GT with 256mb DDR3, it was a sweet sweet card for HTPC use. Not a super gaming card but neither is the 512mb DDR2 version.

vlad · **7th March 2008, 10:20 PM**

DDR3 - only choice in my opinion.

sanquar · **7th March 2008, 10:28 PM**

please expand on why Vlad and how will I be able to quantify the difference between ddr3 and ddr2?

cheers,

vlad · **7th March 2008, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanquar

please expand on why Vlad and how will I be able to quantify the difference between ddr3 and ddr2?

cheers,

It is just a matter of technology. DDR3 is faster and if you are looking to run 1080p and BluRay or future proofing your system them DDR3 would be your choice.
Personally, I found that cards with 512MB DDR2 are slower than cards with 256MB of DDR3.
Manufacturers will put more cheap memory to expect people to get exited. If I get new card now I will get DDR4.

sanquar · **7th March 2008, 10:40 PM**

Thanks Vlad, but what I'm trying to ascertain is whether the bandwidth of the ddr2 ram is actually a bottleneck for HD or only gaming...There seems to be no hard facts out there..

cheers,

sanquar · **8th March 2008, 04:56 PM**

Doesn't matter now.. I purchased a ddr2 512mb version.. The ddr3 were out of stock or only available with a fan..

thanks for the replies..

cheers,