9600M GT -512MB vs 256MB purchase delima....

So looking a the new macbook pro's configurations, I see that the 9600M GT is offered as either 256MB on the 2.43Ghz model, and 512MB on the 2.53Ghz model. I cant find any benchmarks related to this GPU comparison, so I'll ask you guys: Is the 512MB version going to make a significant difference in performance (gaming) as opposed to the 256MB? I mostly play MMO's of the sort (Wow, sadly..) Any suggestions?

 

Umm yes and know. Some argue that a 128bit card is only really effective at telling 256mb of video ram what to do. On the other hand that extra 256mb could come in handy for games like GT4IV especially when combined with the faster processor...I don't really think it will be worth it though save the money and buy some more games.

 

Check the RAM type--sometimes it's 512MB of DDR2 and 256MB of DDR3. If this is the case, grab the DDR3 version (better performance). And even if they're both DDR3, as jsf_enthusiast said, the extra 256 MB won't be doing much more for you because of the memory interface. You're better off spending more on extra RAM, an extra few months of WoW, another game or two, etc.

 

Ok thanks guys that helped a lot I appreciate it!!! I'll just get the 256 and use that extra money for the processor upgrade.

 

Uh, you can't upgrade the processors on the MBP's at all. They are soldered which means no swapping of the processor.

 

Macs always use GDDR3. This has been the case for the X1600 MacBook Pro, 8600M GT MBP, and now the 9600M GT MBP, even the lowly HD2400XT in the low-end iMac uses GDDR3.

As mentioned already, you can't upgrade processors on Apple notebooks since they are soldered to the motherboard. And only the high-end 512MB GDDR3 MacBook Pro offers the option of being built with a faster CPU. The low-end MBP can't have it's CPU configured separately. Realistically, neither the 133MHz difference in clock speed or 256MB more GDDR3 are going to lead to much performance increase.

 

Here:

http://www.macworld.com/article/136279/2008/10/macbookpro_benchmarks.html

They say the Quake frame rate is 65.7 with the 512 vs 59.2 with 256. So not much difference.

 

Yea I meant to say memory, I don't know what I was thinking when I typed that but yea that was my next question was how was the processor change going to affect performance but you answered that. You guys have been a huge help on getting my first mac!

 

its not going to make a difference in WoW. both will play the game fluently.

 

masterchef...

You're running 64 bit Windows sever on your mac?? How does that work out??

Does it have DX10??

 

Both Server 2008 and Vista share the same kernel.

 

get 256-you wont notice any difference!