Question for hardware experts related to GPU memory size

Hi all,

I have a question related to the memory size of GPUs. I have an option to buy either a 2GB or 4GB graphics card. My question is if it really makes a difference to have 4GB over 2GB. I currently do not have plan to run a 3 monitor setup. Does a 4GB configuration consumes considerable more power than a 2GB config?

I also ask this question as I remember years ago offering GPUs with more memory was more a marketing trap than a real performance benefit.

Appreciate your feedback, thanks.

 

Back when I had the 2GB 770 I could tell you by the image when the VRAM hit some 70 %. I found that even when I had steady 60 I could see some jerkiness in the video. It looked worse on triples but I checked back to back and I could see it on single full hd, for sure. Please be aware that I'm very, very sensitive to non-fluid picture!

So I switched to the 770 with 4GB and had a good headroom - almost any race the VRAM usage was low enough for super smooth image (most AC combos are around 1.5 to 2 GB) except for Nordschleife with many different cars. Given the right gfx settings you can max out 4GB video RAM here. So I deactivated PP effects and was back in the smooth range (even on low it eats around 600 MB of VRAM). Again, 70 % usage was when it got jerky.

Now I have the 970 with 3.5 GB VRAM. The VRAM is obviously better so it's more efficiently used and therefore I have PP effects on low. This way, even in the worst case scenario I have a smooth image.

My conclusion is: get 4GB. Hope it helps.

 

Get a 4GB card, no it won't eat more power and it's useful as most games nowadays use massive texture packs and having more VRAM helps in those cases. Even 4GB is being a bit small nowadays, I use all 4 gigs on my 980 in every single game, especially when running triples or at 4k... so yeah 2 gigs would not cut it anymore. Years ago it might have been a marketing thing but nowadays I'd say 4GB should be a standard, 6 or 8 is gonna become common soon. So yeah, my advice is just don't bother with the 2 gig card, although I'd say wait a month or so for the new gen cards to hit the market, then the current cards will either drop in price or you could just pick up the newer card with the extra money you'd save over the wait time. Wait for the GTX 1070.

 

GPU's with more memory isnt a marketing scam or a trick And yes having more memory will make a difference. With more memory you have have higher gfx settings, and have the ability to see more on the track at any given time.
Think of it like this.. A small car only has room for 5 people (2 in the front 3 in the back) But a bus which has more seats can get MANY people inside it

On a gpu with lower memory you must have less cars o ntrack and use lower gfx settings, on a gpu with higher memory you can have more vehicles and have higher gfx settings.

If you can afford a 4gb card, get it. If you want to wait a bit, get the 1070 or 1080. Those will blow most gfx cards clean out of the water and for a very decent price range

 

I don't see any of these "stutters" that others claim. I have a 2GB GTX 770, and AC runs flawlessly with it. However, if you can find a 4GB card at a bargain price, then I would go with it.

 

I recommend you to wait for polaris cards from AMD and get a new r9 490 or 490x with 8gb VRAM. They are built with new 14 nm
productive process, so lower consumption and better performance expected. In accordance with rumors, new gpus will be presented in june. I suggest you 8gb because it will be the new standard for games and new or recent games are using more than 4gb vram depending on details, resolution etc. I'm running a 2k monitor, so games like gta 5, doom, also assetto corsa requires more than 4gb of vram in some situations. So, in future, if you will run higher resolution, you will be fine with that VRAM. If you consider to take an 8gb vram gpu i also suggest you to increase your system ram to 16 gb.

 

Yeah depends on what graphic settings you want to run AC on as mentioned here. I've noticed at some tracks (Paul Ricard)with 10-15 cars it pushes close to the 3.5 GB on ultra settings (except for reflections). I keep PP on ultra. If you want to run lower settings you might get away with two, but for future proof you may want to stay away from 2GB.

There will be a lot of used GTX970s in the market once new cards go on sale, so that's a good alternative for 1080 AC single monitor gaming.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

Thank you for your feedback guys !