more video card help needed

[killzoneman0]

first of all, what are pixel pipelines? second, whats the difference between memory clock, and core clock? finally which is the best out of these 3 video cards? also, which has the best gpu? i was looking at the abit fatal1ty one, is it good?should i get an sli vid card instead of these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=48&Submit=Property

 

[Space_Coyote]

I'll leave the tech question to one of the experts.

Out of the 3 I would go with the 6800GT. The X800XL and it are roughly on-par performance wise but I've read the X800XL has some excessive heat issues. The price can't be beat as well with the rebate. The 6800Ultra is way overpriced, if you have that kind of cash go for the 7800GTX

 

[mammikoura]

From those 3 cards I'd definately get the 6800GT.

And for the other stuff

Don't know what pixel pipelines exactly do, but the more the better

Memory clock is the clock speed for the video cards memory, and core clock speed is the clock speed for the gpu.

 

[Kage]

Pixel Pipelines:

Well basically the more you have, the faster the card ends up.

Why though?

Well think of each pipeline as a bus. Data is put onto the buses, and some are split up because there isn't enough room, but they are all going to the same destination:

So one pipe could carry one set of texture information, while another might be carrying model data, and many controlling shading, and the Z-Buffer to create the 3D worlds, etc.

These then come out at the other end as one, to create the final image. Clever stuff.

 

[killzoneman0]

what is the best card to get for around $500 or less?

 

[mammikoura]

7800GTX

It's the best card currenly on the markets.

 

[killzoneman0]

256mb?

 

[mammikoura]

yes

 

[killzoneman0]

any brand?

 

[mammikoura]

Well u can choose which ever u like.

I'd go with either evga or msi. But there are other good brands also.