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Macbook Pro 9600GT 256 vs 512?

H

hobes270

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 29, 2008
105
0
Hey all!

I work for a apple reseller and currently we have 2 new deals. I am in the need for a new computer too. So they are both the previous gen of MBP 15"

1. 2.4Ghz /4GB Ram/9600gt 256mb - $1288
2. 2.66ghz/4gb ram/ 9600gt 512mb - -$1576

Now my biggest concern is how faster is the 512 for 256? The processor will not make much of a different for what I will be doing. So is it worth the $300??

Thanks !!!
 
hobes270 said:
Hey all!

I work for a apple reseller and currently we have 2 new deals. I am in the need for a new computer too. So they are both the previous gen of MBP 15"

1. 2.4Ghz /4GB Ram/9600gt 256mb - $1288
2. 2.66ghz/4gb ram/ 9600gt 512mb - -$1576

Now my biggest concern is how faster is the 512 for 256? The processor will not make much of a different for what I will be doing. So is it worth the $300??

Thanks !!!
Click to expand...

I would go for the 512Mb because Snow Leopard will use it more, especially with OpenCL
 
hobes270 said:
Hey all!

I work for a apple reseller and currently we have 2 new deals. I am in the need for a new computer too. So they are both the previous gen of MBP 15"

1. 2.4Ghz /4GB Ram/9600gt 256mb - $1288
2. 2.66ghz/4gb ram/ 9600gt 512mb - -$1576

Now my biggest concern is how faster is the 512 for 256? The processor will not make much of a different for what I will be doing. So is it worth the $300??

Thanks !!!
Click to expand...

both are fine cards just one packs more of a punch. this is what i noticed with the 9400 256 vs 9600 512. 9400 gets 50-60fps in wc3 at 1920x1200 maxed out. the 9600 gets 180+fps maxed out. hope this helps sorta, i know its not the same card but it memory ratio is the same?
 
It really depends on what you're doing with your computer. The 512 isn't faster than the 256 unless you're using a lot of vram. If you're gaming and such, you want to get the 512. If you're doing video and such 256 will suffice. The processor difference is practically negligible.
 
256 for sure. You shouldn't see a noticeable fps increase between 512 and 256. A videogame is going to max out that card's capabilities far before you run out of vram.
 
Cavanboy18 said:
both are fine cards just one packs more of a punch. this is what i noticed with the 9400 256 vs 9600 512. 9400 gets 50-60fps in wc3 at 1920x1200 maxed out. the 9600 gets 180+fps maxed out. hope this helps sorta, i know its not the same card but it memory ratio is the same?
Click to expand...

the card (9400 vs 9600) is a much larger indicator of graphics power than the amount of vram.

Think of it like a businessman at a desk. The intelligence of the businessman is the graphics card (GPU). The size of the desk is the video ram (vram). Now, a little extra space to work will let him work a little more efficiently, but overall the guy's intelligence is by far the determining factor to how well he performs. A simple analogy, but it gets the point across.
 
Freyqq said:
256 for sure. You shouldn't see a noticeable fps increase between 512 and 256. A videogame is going to max out that card's capabilities far before you run out of vram.
Click to expand...

I am beginning think this is the betteer choice also. The only game I will ever play is COD 4, and it will only be occasionally. I will mainly using Photoshop and dreamweaver.
 
I recently had this dilemma and went with the 256. Games run beautifully and I saved a good amount of money which went towards applecare and a new bag for the computer.
 
How in the world are you getting 60 fps with the 9400M at that resolution maxed out? My MacBook Pro struggles at native resolution on med/high settings...:confused:
 
Freyqq said:
256 for sure. You shouldn't see a noticeable fps increase between 512 and 256. A videogame is going to max out that card's capabilities far before you run out of vram.
Click to expand...

the extra VRAM is good for external monitor use. higher VRAM will deal with higher resolution better so if you are planning on getting a big external monitor then i would say go with the 512.
 
iLog.Genius said:
Hah, never mind. I thought those where the numbers for World of Warcraft but they're for Warcraft III/Frozen Throne which the 9400M can easily handle at max settings and high resolutions.
Click to expand...

i get 70-80fps in WoW maxed out. on my 9600GT
 
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