Requirement Basis Of Damage?

I have heard two convincing sides, and have tried to search for a true answer.... Basically if you exceed the requirements in a weapon, does it deal more damage based on you attributes. For Example would a Req 8 Max damage weapon deal more than a req 13 max damage weapon with 13 attributes in that field. I have heard of some low req weapons like 5 that deal good dmg say purple just cuz of damage rating, dealing over max dmg.

I have no clue if this is true, and I have tried to personally test it, and it seems true... but then again armors varies on Arms, Chest, Head, Legs etc.... even on monsters so needless to say there are many variables that could account for my findings.

It seems reasonable that lower req weapons would deal more... but if they do how much?, i used that Attack Calculator from this sight and it seems pretty significant.... Please relieve my confusion.

Low Requirement weapons do not deal more damage.
Suppose your Swordsmanship is at 12. You will be doing the same damage whether you use a Req 8 Longsword or a Req 12 one.

The only thing weapon requirement does for you is tell you when you can do max damage with your weapon.

So if you have a sword that does 15-23 damage, one has a req of 5. the other has a req. of 8. With the req of 5 you will be able to do max damage sooner than the req of 8. That is the advantage of low requirements. So if your swordsmanship is 10, both weapons are exactly the same.

Like they said, the only thing that the requirement does is, if you're attribute is lower than the requirement you will deal 2-4 damage only. However, the requirement only apply to the damage, so if you have a gold weapon, the modificators will work even if you are below the requirement.

I am aware that you must meet the weapon requirement to gain the weapon's base damage. However, I have read conflicting reports about the damage in having an attribute score over the req. I remember reading somewhere that for each attribute point you have over the weapon requirement, you get something like +4% damage? Example:

Swordsmanship attribute: 12
Sword with req of 9 vs sword with req of 12.
Req 9 will do more damage than the req 12 sword wielded by the same person.

I have also read that this is not the case. Is there a general consensus I've missed here? I apologize if I'm bringing up an old hat.... :P

EDIT: Nevermind, I'll be making everyone repeat themselves. I guess the consensus is that lower reqs do not effect damage when having a score above the reqs.