512Mb Video card Make A Diff

Just wondering if anyone has played with a both a 256Mb card and 512Mb Card in SL and seen much difference?

I don't think going past 256 VRAM is an enhancement to SL performance at this time. I have seldom, if ever, seen SL even approach 128MB. I run an ATI 9800 Pro Mac Special Edition (256VRAM). And, with the addition of the other large system resources I feed SL, my in-world experience is great.

Bottom line, there are many other factors that a high-end vid card brings along with maxed out VRAM - such as outstandng rendering, multiple data streams, etc... All together, the high end cards just deliver the best graphics rendering and performance money can buy.

Unless you also work with huge graphics design projects and associated hoggish applications, creating CGI and/or editing a digital movie, you probably are fine with a 256MB card for SL. Just be sure your system has the resources to maximize performance or even run a high end card, such as #1, your power supply.

I have a 512 graphic card and here is the deal. The highest memory usage I ever saw was 120megs and that was a spike near the welcome area with an average usage around 60. The game supports 512m with an option button but the Lindens working on SL, namely Dan and Vecktor whom I have asked about this have said they don't even have a card to test it on. From what I have seen, unless you can get a 512 for the price of a 256; stick with the 256 or even 128, you won't be missing anything.

Thanks all. I was debating between an ATi All In Wonder X1800XL 256Mb which has all the TV Tuner and Capture stuff I want, or spending more and gettting an X1800XL 512Mb and a Seperate ATI TV Wonder for capture. The latter would have been abuot $200 more total. So I will get the All In Wonder.

Thank you!