{"id":3278,"date":"2021-11-03T20:46:12","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T20:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/?p=3278"},"modified":"2022-05-24T14:21:43","modified_gmt":"2022-05-24T14:21:43","slug":"how-much-gpu-memory-do-i-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/how-much-gpu-memory-do-i-need\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much GPU Memory Do I Need? The Truth Revealed!"},"content":{"rendered":"

“How much GPU memory do I need” is a frequent question among the people willing to purchase a GPU. But really, how much? That we’ll find out in this guide.<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, 4 GB VRAM is the minimum to aim for, in 2021, with 8 GB being the recommended option for graphics-intensive workloads and gaming. But to determine your VRAM requirements according to your particular needs, this thorough guide is in place.<\/p>\n

So, let’s roll in.<\/p>\n\n

How Much GPU Memory Do You Need For Gaming?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

VRAM refers to Video Random Access Memory and also known as graphics memory. It is on the GPU and stores pixels and other graphics data for the smooth working of the GPU.<\/p>\n

If you’re confused about how much VRAM you need for gaming, well, don’t go for anything below 4 GB. And if you’re into the AAA titles which tend to be pretty heavy, 8 GB is the minimum to aim for. But if 4k gaming is what you’re passionate about, 12 GB VRAM is the way to go.<\/p>\n

With that said, I have also managed the tables for VRAM requirements of different games:<\/p>\n

AC Valhalla:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"ac<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
AC Valhalla<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/td>\n4K<\/td>\n1440p<\/td>\n1080p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FPS (avg)<\/td>\n65<\/td>\n75<\/td>\n131<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAM consumed<\/td>\n11 GB<\/td>\n10.9 GB<\/td>\n11.3 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Memory consumed<\/td>\n7.5 GB<\/td>\n6.9 GB<\/td>\n6.4 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Overwatch:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"overwatch\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Overwatch<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/td>\n4K<\/td>\n1440p<\/td>\n1080p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FPS (avg)<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n291<\/td>\n398<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAM consumed<\/td>\n10.1 GB<\/td>\n9.9 GB<\/td>\n9.9 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Memory consumed<\/td>\n4.4 GB<\/td>\n3.5 GB<\/td>\n3.2 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Godfall:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"godfall\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Godfall<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/td>\n4K<\/td>\n1440p<\/td>\n1080p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FPS (avg)<\/td>\n102<\/td>\n182<\/td>\n272<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAM consumed<\/td>\n11.1 GB<\/td>\n10.9 GB<\/td>\n10.9 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Memory consumed<\/td>\n7.9 GB<\/td>\n7.2 GB<\/td>\n6.8 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Dirt 5:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"dirt5\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Dirt 5<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/td>\n4k<\/td>\n1440p<\/td>\n1080p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FPS (avg)<\/td>\n60<\/td>\n84<\/td>\n90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAM consumed<\/td>\n9.1 GB<\/td>\n9.2 GB<\/td>\n9.1 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Memory consumed<\/td>\n9.3 GB<\/td>\n8.6 GB<\/td>\n8.4 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The source of the tables and benchmarks is Jansn Benchmarks<\/a>, a Youtube channel.<\/p>\n

How Much VRAM Do I Need?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most of the latest graphics cards come with 8GB or more VRAM. So, it’s right to say that 8GB is the standard, and according to tests, this is pretty enough for average gaming. In fact, 8GB of VRAM will even let you smoothly game on 1440p resolution without feeling lags.<\/p>\n

Some budget cards and the older ones also have 4GB VRAM. It’s good for starter-level gaming and might offer a good experience in most AAA titles unless you’re running them on a high resolution like 1440p or max graphics settings.<\/p>\n

If you’re considering anything below 4GB, it’s recommended not to. Such a GPU will not only be unable to help you with graphics-intensive workloads like smooth gaming, neither be a good approach for the future. So, if you’re willing to purchase a GPU now, 4GB VRAM is the least we recommend.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you can manage to go for more than 8GB VRAM, kudos to you! It might help you pull off almost any graphics-intensive workload in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n

That said, where things get confusing is the point between 8GB and 4GB. Yes, exactly, what you thought, 6GB! Now, as GTX 1660 Super comes with 6GB VRAM yet is considered an amazing option for gaming, is it not worth it?<\/p>\n

Well, the point to note down is, performance might be depending on the VRAM of a GPU, but not entirely. For instance, the same GTX 1660 Super performs better than many AMD’s 8GB cards, like the AMD RX 5500 XT.<\/p>\n

What Fills Your VRAM Up?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When data is to be processed by the GPU, rendered, and shown on the monitor, it is stored in VRAM for instant access. If there wasn’t any VRAM, the GPU couldn’t store the data it had to process and it would take very long for it to process the data from slower resources.<\/p>\n

Now, what is this data that fills your graphics memory?<\/p>\n

Well, it includes the texture of the scenes that have to be displayed, the lighting going on, the reflections, the complex graphical calculations regarding shadows, and so on. Similarly, when added features like Ray Tracing also have to be processed, they’re also stored in the VRAM. This way, a lot of graphics memory is usually required for the smooth processing and rendering of graphical data.<\/p>\n

With that said, the data stored in VRAM could include:<\/p>\n