please explain graphics cards!!!

[adbp1]

ok this might seem abit of a dumb question!!
what does it all mean?
im looking around oc at graphics cards and notice so many things and cant seem to find a good answer anywhere.
difference in core speed? im guessing more is more power!
256MB 1400MHz GDDR3 Memory is that better than 512MB 800mhz?
etc etc
how do you find out about this unless u ask silly questions like this or can someone point me in the right direction !!

 

[Alexrose1uk]

Right. Where to start:

1) Core is worth MORE than Memory - without a decent GPU core, that extra memory is worth f-all.
2) If you play at higher resolution then you want to look at higher memory cards, as the higher the resolution, the more memory it uses.
3) Cards go in generations; typically a last generation mid end part will be about the same end as a low-mid current part, last generations high end will become mid end this generation.
4) Pre-overclocked cards are only for if you find them very cheaply, don't want to overclock at all but must have an overclock, or have far too much money; buy a normal card and clock it or dont bother, it usually doesnt make much difference.
5) For ATI card prefixes - SE<Basic<Pro<XT<XT-X
For Nvidia Cards Basic<GT<GTS<Ultra
For the current 8800s please be aware due to a refresh that the 8800GT, and GTS 512 are both more powerful than the old GTS 320MB and the 8800GTS 640 (the GT loses at higher resolution)

At the moment, 8800GT, GTS512,(OcUK) GTX and ATI 3850Pro are the best bang for budget cards in the different performance/price sectors.

 

[Gashman]

no, because Mhz is pretty irrelevant in terms of judging a cards power, its all down to how many shader processors and ROPs it has more than the raw clock speed, for example a 8800GTS clocked at 550Mhz (96 shader processors) is much faster than for example a 6800 ultra clocked at the same speed. memory isn't all about Mhz either, since although in most games the 256Mb memory will be faster (due to higher clock speed, therefore increased bandwidth) the slower memory would perform better in games that needed more than 256Mb graphics memory

 

[steve258]

There are really only a few cards atm that's worth getting:

£200 - 8800GTS 512Mb
£150 - 8800GT 512Mb / HD3870XT 512Mb
£100 - 3850pro 256Mb

And if you're one of the few that are still on AGP then 1950pro AGP remains the card of choice.

And just to confuse you a little more some websites quote actual memory speed and not the effective double data rate speed. So 800Mhz GDDR3 is more likely 1600Mhz effective.