4GB video memory and 8GB RAM

[Johannes]

Hi, atm I have 8GB RAM and 2GB video memory.

When I play games like GTA V and put it at about 1500MB video memory in the game settings, I see that I also use a lot of RAM. I think I use about 75% of my RAM when I play GTA V and I have browser and programs open at the same time (I use less in games like Counter-Strike).

So if I wanted to get a 4GB graphics card and use more memory in games like GTA V, should I also get more RAM? (for example 16GB instead of 8.), If I still want to have browser and programs open when I play.

Part of my question is, does the RAM usage increase when the video memory does?

Thanks in advance.

[initiaLiSeD]

Once the games you are playing need more than 2GB VRAM get a better card, but bear in mind that most of the time a good GPU with 2GB will outperform a weak GPU with 4GB. Extra VRAM generally only makes a difference at extreme resolutions like 3x1080p.

Same goes for system RAM. Once you find you are regularly running out of memory when running games it is worth upgrading. I have 12 GB and have never seen it go beyond 8GB when gaming.

The two are not linked by some ratio, but higher in game settings can need more of both.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

4 Gb VRAM graphics cards work fine with 8 Gb RAM.

[[☥] - CJ -]

When using 4GB VRAM GPUs its best to have atleast 16GB of Physical RAM due to the memory addresses being used by the GPU.

For 2GB GPUs 8GB Physical RAM is plenty.

With 64bit games, which i assume GTA is its capable of using as much RAM as the game needs, raised Graphic settings will raise this amount just like it does with VRAM, but memory leaks can also cause an increase in RAM usage.

Counter Strike is 32bit i believe and not as graphic as GTA so it wont use nearly as much resources, being as they use different engines that will cause a difference in resource usage as well, aside from them using different DirectX.

So yes, if you plan on going with a 4GB GPU it would be a good idea to have 16GB of Physical RAM.

[Johannes]

Thanks all. Great answers.

[initiaLiSeD]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από ☥ - CJ -:

When using 4GB VRAM GPUs its best to have atleast 16GB of Physical RAM due to the memory addresses being used by the GPU.

What is the logic behind this statement and can you provide some evidence to back it up?

[[☥] - CJ -]

You could search for it.

Its mainly a limitation with 32bit OS's, 64bit OS's have no such limitation when it comes to RAM/VRAM addresses..

So i guess its irrelevant since the OP has a 64bit OS, but still.

GPU VRAM address use does have an effect when it comes into play with systems that have less than Double Physical RAM. Ex; 8GB with 4GB VRAM GPU, 4GB with 2GB VRAM GPU, and so on..

I cant remember the specifics of it, been a while since ive discussed it.

This has some of what im talking about - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2266567


Ehh.. either way, it may not be needed but if its a viable option id go for 16GB if switching to a 4GB GPU, but it isnt really required.

[initiaLiSeD]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από ☥ - CJ -:

You could search for it

I did!

It's been irrelevant since 32 bit and DirectX 9, or sometime last decade.
This old thread explains it nicely: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/32-bit-vs-64-bit-how-it-relates-to-video-cards.91260/

The 4GB 980 needs 4GB, wants 8GB
http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce-gtx/GTX_980_User_Guide.pdf

and the 6GB 980 Ti has a 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended.
http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce-gtx/GTX_980_Ti_User_Guide.pdf

and the 12GB Titan X minimum 8GB (16GB recommended)
http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce-gtx/GTX_TITAN_X_User_Guide.pdf

and AMD Fury-X 4GB wants 8GB for one card and 16GB for CrossfireX
http://support.amd.com/Documents/amd-radeon-r9-fury-x.pdf

So there's no consistent pattern, I honestly expected a rule of thumb like at least double or at least the same but because the VRAM is separate and is no longer shadowed into system RAM.

I'm currently running 3GB VRAM and 12GB system RAM so adhering to the 4:1 ratio but it seems that has been obsolete since the late 2000s. I guess It's like virtual memory ratios and hating Windows Vista and 8 it ends up ingrained as a rule of thumb but can't really be justified now that time and technology have moved on.

[Mr.Coach.Ed]

Hey Joho,
Are you able to run gta v completely fluid, becuse my frames are dropping like crazy

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Joho - The Force Awakens:

Hi, atm I have 8GB RAM and 2GB video memory.

When I play games like GTA V and put it at about 1500MB video memory in the game settings, I see that I also use a lot of RAM. I think I use about 75% of my RAM when I play GTA V and I have browser and programs open at the same time (I use less in games like Counter-Strike).

So if I wanted to get a 4GB graphics card and use more memory in games like GTA V, should I also get more RAM? (for example 16GB instead of 8.), If I still want to have browser and programs open when I play.

Part of my question is, does the RAM usage increase when the video memory does?

Thanks in advance.

[Johannes]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Mr.Coach.Ed:

Hey Joho,
Are you able to run gta v completely fluid, becuse my frames are dropping like crazy

Hi, I will actually receive a 4GB gfx and 16GB RAM the day after tomorrow. But right now, yes my game runs fluid with medium settings (which I still think looks really beautiful). But I also have a really good CPU. GTA V got an average 10-15 more FPS when I switched my old 4-core 3.2 Ghz out with my new 8-core 4 Ghz.

Atm. I'm running GTA V at about 40 fps average I would say. It looks okay but could definitely be way better in fast action. (it's not lagging, just too few fps for my eyes).
I'm used to Counter-Strike maxing out my monitors 144hz at 144 fps.

In GTA V I use V-sync because I noticed I get less screen tearing because the fps is less than 60 most of the time anyway. Looks better with V-sync. Only game I use V-sync, ha.

[yberkurko]

Not sure what to think... vram amount isn't really measure how good graphics card is and system ram over 8GB means very little in games. I guess there is proof that marketing even ♥♥♥♥ hardware with high numbers works wonders... maybe they should move to using just bits in marketing.