128bit vs 256bit which is better and why

[CleanSlate]

With the introduction of the 6600 series (gt specifically) it is a difficult thing for me personally to wrap my mind around: a 128-bit part is so much more powerfull than a 256-bit part (9800pro).

I have my own ideas and researched knowledge about which is better and why but hearing a debate is always fun . Debate on.

~Adam

 

[zoltan]

id have to say memory bottlenecks

 

[CleanSlate]

... truncated sentences never please anyone.

~Adam

 

[Brent_Justice]

depends on the load a game or application is making on the graphics card, what part is it stressing etc..

here is how the cards match up

Fillrate:

6600GT = 4 GPixels/sec
9800Pro = 3.04 GPixels/sec

Mem Bandwidth:

6600GT = 16GB/sec
9800Pro = 21.7GB/sec

so the 6600GT has more fillrate, and the 9800Pro has more memory bandwidth, but only a 5GB/sec difference

also there are architecture differences

the question you ask is exactly what i make a point about in some of my reviews, it isn't all about clock speeds and memory bus depths anymore, its all about architecture and optimization

you shouldn't get so caught up in the little details anymore, now we have to start looking at the big picture and just testing to see which card is faster and better in games

 

[CleanSlate]

Ahh so you think the gpu speed is the bottleneck with the 9800 pro and not the ram, considering the situation? Or do you think that the 6600gt has better b/w efficiency and thus a higher true b/w usage than the 9800pro (which could happen but doesn't seem likely)?

~Adam

 

[PsychoZX]

With the introduction of the 6600 series (gt specifically) it is a difficult thing for me personally to wrap my mind around: a 128-bit part is so much more powerfull than a 256-bit part (9800pro).

I have my own ideas and researched knowledge about which is better and why but hearing a debate is always fun . Debate on.

~Adam

The 256-bit memory bus gives a huge increase in memory bandwidth. The reason the 6600 GT is faster is because the memory runs faster clock speed than the memory on the 9800 pro. Also the gpu on the 6600 GT is faster clock speed wise and the gpus architecture is better. So the 9800 pro might have a little bit more memory bandwidth the gpu on the 6600 GT makes up for it. Check out these benchmarks between the 9800 128-bit and 256-bit versions. http://www.digital-daily.com/video/ati-radeon9800se/index03.htm

 

[Brent_Justice]

The reason the 6600 GT is faster is because the memory runs faster clock speed than the memory on the 9800 pro.

I would not say that is the answer at all.

 

[PsychoZX]

I would not say that is the answer at all.

I think you misunderstood me. I also said "Also the gpu on the 6600 GT is faster clock speed wise and the gpus architecture is better." I think I kinda simplified it too much .