In our news-story dated April 12, 2003 we reported that there are different versions of the GeForce FX 5200-based graphics cards with 64MB around with either 64-bit or 128-bit memory bus for DDR SDRAM memory. NVIDIA itself confirmed this information to us and said that its partners have different versions of the GeForce FX 5200 to meet different demands of different clients.

Since our readers probably want themselves typically a bit faster graphics solution with 128-bit memory access, let me give you some advises about distinguishing between 64-bit and 128-bit graphics cards based on the GeForce FX 5200 with 64MB of memory.

In general, customers can easily distinguish between a 64-bit and a 128-bit graphics card by memory chips that are used on a particular graphics solution. For instance, if there are 4 memory 8Mx16 chips in TSOP packaging installed on the card, it means that the product has 64MB of memory with 64-bit access, while if there 8 pieces of 4Mx16 TSOP memory, then there are also 64MB of RAM, but at this time with 128-bit access. Basically, you should pay attention to the number of memory chips as well as memory markings and try to distinguish if 32-bit or 16-bit parts are used. Although we have seen a lot of different memory brands on graphics cards powered by NVIDIA GPUs, majority of such cards is equipped with DRAM from Hynix, Samsung, Infineon and EliteMT, so, if this is your case, click on the links and search for the chips according to their markings.

Probably the easiest way to choose a graphics card with 128-bit memory access is to watch what is written on the product box. :)

Stay tuned because we may eventually make another news-story on the matter.