ddr 3 64 bit vs ddr 2 128 bit

[BradBreaker]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer's graphics card really only for being able to play Starcraft 2 when it comes out later this month.

I know I should upgrade to a better comp altogether, but I don't have the money for that right now. So I need to find a solid agp card to meet my needs.

Which card would be better for my purpose?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...698&CatId=2234
HIS H435F512HA Radeon HD 4350 Video Card
Specifications
Additional Features: RoHS Compliant
HDCP Enabled
ATI Avivo HD Technology

Video Memory: 512MB

Memory Type: DDR3

Memory Interface: 64-bit

Core Clock: 600 MHz

Memory Clock: 1300 MHz

Interface Type: AGP



Or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...898&CatId=3670
Diamond 4650512A Radeon HD 4650
Video Memory: 512MB

Memory Type: DDR2

Memory Interface: 128-bit

Stream Processors: 320

Core Clock: 600 MHz

Memory Clock: 800 MHz

 

[BradBreaker]

Or this guy.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...257&CatId=2234
XFX Radeon HD 4650 Video Card - 1GB DDR2, AGP

All the other specs are identical to the Diamond. I just wonder with agp and the speed of these cards if the 1gb vs. 512mb would make that much of a difference?

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SlowSpyder]

No need for a 1GB card in this case. The GPU isn't powerful enough to make use of it.

With the cards you've listed, the DDR2 128bit version will have slightly more bandwidth, so should be a little faster.

 

[Lonyo]

#2 because there's more at play than RAM, like the fact that #2 has around 4x the GPU power ignoring RAM.

Also as mentioned, no point in getting the 1GB RAM because it would be wasted.
512MB HD4650 all the way, no questions. The 4350 isn't even remotely a gaming card, even when it was released it was bad.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

If you can spend a little more (and wait for rebates) GTS250s are on clearance and would be MUCH faster than a 4650.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162034

For example would be 80$ after rebate.

I didnt notice that you needed an AGP card... In that case your CPU might be too slow that spending 60$ on a video card would just be a waste. Though the SC2 system reqs minimum is REALLY low so it might be playable on a really old system I guess...

 

[OVerLoRDI]

128bit memory is worth it imo. 64bit can really hold back a lot of cards. Again, the 4350 is not a good card by any measure. The 4650 or any of the other recommendations people are throwing out would be way better choices.

 

[RussianSensation]

4650 > 4350. If you can't afford the DDR3 version of the 4650, I would still take the 4650 DDR2 over the 4350.

For $10 more than what you posted from Tiger Direct, get the DDR3 version: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4161308&cm_re=4650_agp-_-14-161-308-_-Product

 

[bryanW1995]

@overlordi: 128bit vs 64 bit means nothing, it's the total bandwidth that matters. the 4350 is 20.8 gb/s while the 4650 is 25.6 gb/s. ddr3 is faster than ddr2, but not enough to make up for that kind of difference. I agree with russiansensation that it would be better to spend the extra $10 for the ddr3 4650 all things being equal, but I'm pretty confident that either of the 4650's is going to be severely cramped by the older cpu.

 

[kalrith]

I'd go with the afore-mentioned GTS 250. It's MUCH faster than a 4650. If you can't swing that much cash up front and don't mind going used, then get a 4850 or GTS250 for $~60 or a 4870 for $85 from the FS/FT forums or ebay.

 

[Russwinters]

it has to be AGP

 

[kalrith]

Doh! I didn't even notice your cards were AGP.

 

[kalrith]

What are the rest of your specs like? If your system is fast enough to make use out of the 3850, then I'd try to find one used. Here's a comparison between the 4650 and 3850: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-4650-agp,2383-4.html. Unfortunately it's the DDR2 version of the 4650.

This thread shows a system with a 3850 for sale. He might part with the card if you make him an offer. The only other AGP 3850 I could find sold a couple days ago and was listed for $46 shipped (don't know what it sold for).

 

[Termie]

@overlordi: 128bit vs 64 bit means nothing, it's the total bandwidth that matters. the 4350 is 20.8 gb/s while the 4650 is 25.6 gb/s. ddr3 is faster than ddr2, but not enough to make up for that kind of difference. I agree with russiansensation that it would be better to spend the extra $10 for the ddr3 4650 all things being equal, but I'm pretty confident that either of the 4650's is going to be severely cramped by the older cpu.

As I understand, the only significance of the type of memory is the memory clock, so you can essentially ignore whether its ddr2, ddr3, or gddr3 (setting aside gddr5, which is twice as fast per clock). ddr3 can clock higher than ddr2. It cannot, however, compensate for the doubled bandwidth going from 64-bit to 128-bit. For the ddr2 64-bit card to have more memory bandwidth than the ddr3 128-bit card, the memory clock would need to be twice as fast. It is not. ddr2 128-bit for the win.