128MB Geforce 6600GT vs 256M Geforce 6600

[kinlunyu]

I need to upgrade my old Geforce 5200 to Geforce 6 to improve the play back of HD video. I search from "SHOP" in the left panel, I saw two video card 128MB Geforce 6600GT (more speed) and 256MB Geforce 6600 (more memory) that the prices are afortable for me. The prices of the 2 video card are almost the same, $102 vs. $82. I use the video card for playing back video, include HD video. I don't play any game on my computer. Could any one give me an advise, which one is better for me? Or, do I need buy video card other than 2 cards listed above?

Thanks,
Kinlun Yu

[Abbadon]

I had the 128MB Geforce 6600GT some time ago, it was quite good, but it was the AGP model, games such as BattleField 2 could not be played with all the settings to max.

I have no complaints though, but because I couldn't make it work with my DVB hardware mpeg encoding satellite card, I ended up selling it.

[Bondiablo]

The GT is the better card. There's almost no benefit at all to the extra MBs.

[waheed]

I have a 128MB 6600GT PCI-E version and its play games flawlessly at max settings (including Battlefield 2).

Also plays High Definition videos without a problem.

Graphics card is more for gaming than video playback. Video playback would be more intensive on your CPU.

[CrayonEater]

Generally, the extra memory is a selling gimmick, and has little if any impact on performance. Get the GT.

[glockjs]

tbh for that price range i'd look more towards a 7600 gs or x1650pro which comes out soon. no sense in wasting money on yesterdays tech :/

[kinlunyu]

Thanks for giving me useful information.
I read from forum, I see the 6600GT requires a minimum 300W power supply. But, My old computer Dell 4600 has 250W only. Is there a problem to run 6600GT on this 4600 computer?

[CrayonEater]

It depends on how many other peripherals you have but an under-powered PSU can be a reall serious matter. I'd look at getting another one. At $20, figure that into your Video card upgrade costs.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=633531&Sku=P456-4002
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=719594&Sku=T13-2009

[Bondiablo]

Problem with that is Dell uses proprietarty connectors so you can't just pop in a standard PSU.

[GKar]

More video ram means larger frame buffer, which means higher color depths at higher resolutions. So for certain apps more memory is good, like video playback at high resolution and high color depth.
For gaming (in general), 256bit video memory buss vs 128bit memory buss is preferred, so if you offered me a 128bit card with 256mb ram or a 256bit card with 128mb ram I'd take the 256bit/128MB board.
6600 boards are all 128bit, since you are not into gaming but are into videos I'd take the 256mb board for higher color depths and resolutions.

[SatStorm]

From what I know, Geforce 6600GT needs nvidia pure video to give what it has.
I did it and I can say that I'm impressed! On my Athlon xp 2600, I can play HDTV content without a problem!

[xxiangg]

I would pick up the one with 256M memory. Some of the video
editing softwares require 256M memory to do 1080i editing.