difference between 8 and 4 pipelines

[fuzzielitlpanda]

i searched but didnt find anything. simple question: what is the difference? im looking for a new video card this christmas season that will last. im wondering if the extra 4 pipelines in certain video cards will be better for the future or if a 4 pipeline card is sufficient enough.

[John Prophet]

Video card architecture is SERIOUSLY complex....there are many different technologies in play and we cant just take 1 particular aspect and say it is better or worse etc....but evidently 8 pipes is better than 4. (similar to Intel having a longer "pipe" in the P$ vs AMD having a shorter "pipe" in the athlons, one is better for certain things, one for other things)

I guess 8 is now and 4 is the past

a small article http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/...on9700-07.html

more explanation

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1656&p=8

[fuzzielitlpanda]

thanks for the quick reply

[John Prophet]

well, the info there isnt deep but.....probably one of the tech forums like anandtec or toms hardware or ars technica probably have an overall article on modern video card technology....or you could check at ATI or nvidia websites but remember in that case that you'll be getting marketing bias along with the tech explanation, lol.

[fuzzielitlpanda]

well the reason im asking is the pipeline is the only main thing i dont understand about video cards. im trying to finalize my decision for a new card and settled on the 9600xt. however, i looked at the specs and noticed it was a 4pipeline card. im just wondering how big of an effect thatll be on future games.

[Xtreeme]

Nvidia high end FX's 4x2 pipes
ATI 9500-9700-9800 Have 8x1 pipes. 8x1 is more RAW power and just seems to be better ratio for AA. Which is way ATI's in dx9 with high details clean house.
9600 all models is 4x1.