Any advantage to getting a 1 gig video card?

[Getback]

Just curious. Seems 512 is the standard.

[Zazen13]

I don't know honestly, because I have all of the latest/greatest games and none have needed to load into the 512+ mb area yet. But, I think we're at the point technologically where the hardware is relateively cheap for the power and the power surpasses what game designers program for by a healthy margin. That will likely change over time and 1 gig will just mean you're sitting pretty for the next 3+ years instead of having to buy a new video card every 12-18 months which is what hardcore gamers have always had to do to stay ahead of the software design curve previously...So, if you can get double the DDR3 video memory on a given card for an extra 20 bucks or whatever, why the hell not...

[BaldEagl]

If you have more than 2 Gb of RAM and don't have a 64 bit OS it's actualy a liability as it will take that amount from addressable memory leaving you with 2.25-2.75 Gb left for the system/apps.

If you've got more than 2 Gb of RAM and a 64 bit OS then it will be useful for things like video editing.

[Skuzzy]

Actually, video editing uses very little video RAM.  On the other hand, it will use as much system RAM as it can.  When video editing, you only need as much video RAM as the video frame buffer will require.  If you are working on high definition content (1920x1080), your video card needs about 64MB of RAM, it if it triple buffering.

Now, there are some utilites/programs for creating title screens and special video effects which do require a much better video card.  Those are not considered "video editing" tools.  They are "content creation" tools.

[RauleDuke]

I have a BFG 9600 GT 512mb card I'm installing in my new system.  I can add another for about 70 bucks.  Is it worth it if the two main games I'm playing are AHII and WOW?

[Masherbrum]

AHII doesn't like SLi if I'm not mistaken.   BaldEagle had SLi 8800GTS's (which had to be nice) but got excessive "screen tearing".   He RMA'd the 2nd card.   

[BaldEagl]

AHII doesn't like SLi if I'm not mistaken.   BaldEagle had SLi 8800GTS's (which had to be nice) but got excessive "screen tearing".   He RMA'd the 2nd card.   

Yep, you can't lock vsync in SLI at least in AH.

[Krusty]

Other than 9600 and more recent cards, avoid 1GB cards. Often they take older cards that are not as competitive, and stick 1GB of cheap video ram into it, and hope to sell more. Doesn't help the card any, in most cases.

[Getback]

Other than 9600 and more recent cards, avoid 1GB cards. Often they take older cards that are not as competitive, and stick 1GB of cheap video ram into it, and hope to sell more. Doesn't help the card any, in most cases.

This was my concern.