8800GTS 640MB (w/112SPs) SSC Edition vs 8800 512MB?

[Belwar]

Hi guys,

I read the review on here not to long ago and ended up buying the 8800GTS 640MB (w/112SPs) SSC Edition. I've been looking over at EVGA's site and it looks like the only thing that might be worth upgrading to with the step-up program is the new 8800GTS 512MB (I'm not sure that it is worth it is the problem, is it a downgrade even?) . I play games at 1680x1050. Is this an exchange worth doing? What's confusing me is is the 128MB less of memory going to be a big enough ding to make it a worse card for me? Also the 640 costs more which is also throwing me off (which I've read doesn't mean a whole lot though.) I think I'd only have to pay shipping to get the exchange.

Thanks

[Belwar]

I've compiled (I think) all the relevant information into this page.
Google Docs - videocards

[Scratch]

isn't that a downgrade

[Belwar]

I don't know.

You get Less memory but faster clock speeds. But in order to really utilize the extra memory you need to be running higher resolutions then what I run (1680x1050)? That's the impression I've gotten atleast from reading around. Also, from what I've read you can OC the 512 much more easily than you can the 640 SSC (which I've had not much luck with).

[SKYMTL]

I'm pretty certain that for high-res gaming the 8800GTS 512MB would be a downgrade from the GTS 640MB 112SP card.

[magictorch]

I remember reading in TOMs hardware that its really not worth upgrading the GPU until something is available a few rungs up on their GPU ladder i.e. moving from a 7950 to 8800GTX or a >100% improvement.

Given the cost of GPUs its really not worth switching them every time something slightly better comes along (unless you dont care about money, benching, or are a reviewer). Otherwise you'd be buying a new GPU every 6months!