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    ATi HD6570 vs nVIDIA GT550 (GDDR5 vs GDDR3)

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by ellimistx99, Mar 7, 2011.

  1. ellimistx99

    ellimistx99 Newbie

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    Hey there,

    First time poster, long time lurker here. So, basically I've decided between two laptops finally and to me it comes down to the video card, the rest of the specs are the same: ATi HD6570(GDDR5) vs nVIDIA GT550(GDDR3).

    The clock speeds are similar, and their bench marks are close with the higher clocked GT550 pulling out ahead ( www.notebookcheck.com), but both cards come in GDDR5 and GDDR3 flavors and the benchmark on the site doesn't specify which versions were benchmarked. So my question is, which video card would be better for gaming. I'm a university student so I'd like to get as much bang as I can for what few bucks I have :)
     
    ellimistx99, Mar 7, 2011
    #1
  2. Botsu

    Botsu Notebook Evangelist

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    550M usually employs DDR3 while the 6570M with GDDR5 has been spotted on several occasions. In that case I'd recommend getting the 6570M, it will definitely be a better performer.
     
    Botsu, Mar 7, 2011
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  3. ellimistx99

    ellimistx99 Newbie

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    Nice, now is this because that GDDR5 is generally better than GDDR3? Is it because of preference?

    I mean I realize ATi and nVidia have different manufacturing and design principles. I also realize that both cards come in GDDR3 and GDDR5. So I'd just like clarification.
     
    ellimistx99, Mar 7, 2011
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  4. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    DDR5 has a MUCH higher bandwidth, for example the same card but one running 3 and one running 5 can have between 30 and 50% more performance in games.

    as for Bang for buck, AMD/ATI has that all tied up across the board.
     
    crazycanuk, Mar 7, 2011
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  5. ellimistx99

    ellimistx99 Newbie

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    Awesome so thats what I wanted to know. Because both the cards have similar core clock speeds, shader speeds, memory bus width. So it's good to have another deciding factor.

    Thanks, now to go look for that laptop to see if I can still grab it :)
     
    ellimistx99, Mar 7, 2011
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  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You actually can't compare numbers between nVidia and AMD since they have completely different architecture. For approximate comparison, shader count used to be around a 5 AMD:1 nVidia shader processor ratio (if the newer cards are based off the current desktop AMD cards, it should be lowered to 4:1, though this is very simplistic and not necessarily the best way, it gives a general idea of card performance).
     
    sgogeta4, Mar 7, 2011
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  7. ntsan

    ntsan Notebook Consultant

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    GDDR5 offer twice the bandwidth of GDDR3
     
    ntsan, Mar 7, 2011
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  8. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You have to add on a little more.

    While Nvidias shaders tend to run at twice the frequency, AMDs shaders tend to run at 2.5-3 full.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Mar 7, 2011
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