Geforce 6800GS Sonic - 2 AGP slots needed?; 128/256MB versions

[Unfocused]

I'm planning to buy a Geforce 6800GS.

I've got one concern though. On some site, in the comments regarding this card, someone said that the card is big and takes up two slots. On the pics the card looks like a normal 1 slot one. My mobo's got only 1 AGP slot. Maybe the guy that commented meant that the GPU fits in one AGP slot but is so big that covers one PCI slot at the same time? I couldn't find any official info stating the GPU needs two AGP slots. Can anyone clear this up for me?

One more thing. This card looks like it's got a really high value/money ratio. The version I'm looking at has however only 128MB. Will it make that much of a difference compared to the (of course more expensive) 256MB version? I'm talking about resolutions up to 1024x768 as my monitor goes down to 60Hz in higher res and I like my 85Hz. I've also heard 128MB is better for OC.

 

[_Z_Ryuken]

If it takes up two slots, it probably covers the nearest PCI slot.

I don't think a board can have 2 AGP slots.

 

[Unfocused]

Ah, I found another pic

http://www.pcserwis.pl/aukcje/Palit6800GS-4.jpg

I guess that's what he meant

 

[giant384]

yea its 2 slot but it looks like it shouldnt be at all

 

[WhiteZero]

It takes up 2 holes in the back, but not 2 slots. Like my motherboard has a space between it's AGP and PCI slots, but my case has an open slot in the back to let air in.

But the card itself only plugs into one slot.

 

[Unfocused]

And how about the second part of my post? 128/256Mb version differences?

 

[_Z_Ryuken]

256 is the way to go. That's why it costs more.

There's no point in overclocking if you have good hardware.

Are you running a Pentium 3?

 

[xombine]

Getting more VRAM generally means reduced loading times for games, but that's about it. It will help gameplay a bit but more RAM usually helps decrease stuttering and such. If you've got the cash then there's no reason not to get the 256MB but if you're strapped then the 128 should do just fine. Just curious, what are you upgrading from?

 

[Unfocused]

256 is the way to go. That's why it costs more.

There's no point in overclocking if you have good hardware.

Are you running a Pentium 3?

Pentium IV 2.8Ghz.

Maybe I wouldn't bother OCing if I had a PC like Gorgon or Ren. But I don't

Getting more VRAM generally means reduced loading times for games, but that's about it. It will help gameplay a bit but more RAM usually helps decrease stuttering and such. If you've got the cash then there's no reason not to get the 256MB but if you're strapped then the 128 should do just fine. Just curious, what are you upgrading from?

Radeon 9550 (OCed from 250/400 to 425.25/553.5; Radeon 9600pro - 400/600). Anyway, the difference should be noticeable

 

[xombine]

Ooh damn BF2 sure is going to look a whole lot different now. You'll see how pretty it can be at times.

 

[giant384]

how much ram do you have because bf2 needs alot

 

[Unfocused]

how much ram do you have because bf2 needs alot

768MB total. I think I'll be happy with medium settings and nice performance until I get more RAM. Right now I'm playing medium and low lightning/dynamic stuff and sometimes it's pretty fine, but sometimes I get graphic lag nad low FPS.

I'll check High settings as well, though. If it would only mean some loading lag, I could cope with that.