Memory upgrade worth it?

[Biowar]

I had an EVGA 9800 GTX+. I was looking for an upgrade so I got a BFG GTS 250 thinking it would be better.

I came to find out that the 250 is just a repackage of the 9800 GTX+.

However, this new card has 1g of memory instead of the 512mb I had before. How much of a difference is that memory going to make? I seem to be getting very similar fraps readings.

Also, is it possible I had a 1g 9800 GTX+? Did EVGA ever make that? I thought that was what I had but can't confirm that.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Biowar]

After-thought: Will these run in SLI? Feel free to answer either question.

[ultima]

for sli you need to use the same card


the 250 is basically a 9800 gtx though...
so of course you are seeing the same frame rates...


the additional memory will only help
if you use AA and AF

[-RK]

If it's a 9800GTX+ then yes, they were set up by NV to be compatible in SLI, however you can't use the 1gb version and the 512mb version together.

As for the extra memory, it really depends on how much demand there is for it.
If you're trying to play Crysis or GTAIV at 1680x1050 or above, then yes, it will help out. The boost isn't as pronounced as with something more powerful like the 4870, but it's there.

I'd recommend you send it back for something else or get a 512mb version if you've got an SLI board.

SLI'd GTS250s or 9800GTX+s are surprisingly powerful.

[Biowar]

Thank you for the insight. I will get a GTS 250 512MB then so I can use SLI.

Do you have to get a bridge or something to use SLI? Single cards aren't shipped with that are they?

[-RK]

Yes, you will want an SLI bridge, sometimes a manufacturer will include it, but most often not.

They're not too expensive though so it shouldn't be a problem.