Do processors limit how much VRAM you can have?

GoliGuy

Reputable
Jul 28, 2014
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I am looking at getting the Intel Core i5-4690 but when I looked at the page ( http://ark.intel.com/products/80810/Intel-Core-i5-4690-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz ) it says "Graphics Video Max Memory: 1.7 GB." What does that mean? Should I be concerned as I am getting a Zotac GeForce GTX 760 2GB AMP! Edition which is 2GB? Thanks in advance. It would also be really cool if you check out my first gaming build and tell me how I did; and also how many fps could I get in fps games on ultra? Would my experience be lag free? How long would this build last?


http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QPQZXL
 
Solution
You don`t need to worry about this, since the 1.7 Gb is for the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 on your CPU.
Since you have a dedicated GPU, this is what you`ll use, and have the full 2 GB. Just remember to disable the integrated graphics in Bios.

However, if you`re not leaning toward certain brands, I played a bit with your build, and for 11$ more I got you the below build with an R9 280x, which is a much more powerful card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory...
1.7gb refers to the maximum amount of system ram that you can allocate to the INTEGRATED video adapter.
Since you will be using a discrete GTX760, that number does not apply.

The rest of your build looks OK
I might use a better quality psu like xfx or Seasonic. 650w is fine, I like to overprovision a bit as you have.

I will not build again without a ssd for the C drive.
120gb will hold the os and a handful of games. 240gb would be better. Perhaps you can defer on the hard drive until you need the space. Samsung evo is good.



 

Pr3di

Honorable
You don`t need to worry about this, since the 1.7 Gb is for the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 on your CPU.
Since you have a dedicated GPU, this is what you`ll use, and have the full 2 GB. Just remember to disable the integrated graphics in Bios.

However, if you`re not leaning toward certain brands, I played a bit with your build, and for 11$ more I got you the below build with an R9 280x, which is a much more powerful card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card ($267.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($28.75 @ NCIX US)
Total: $951.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-08 04:00 EDT-0400
 
Solution

Stoneskinsnake

Reputable
Jul 30, 2014
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4,560
As they've said before, 1.7GB refers to the intergrated graphics on the CPU, however there is evidence that CPUs can in fact limit the amount of GPU output available to the computer from a "CPU bottleneck". Basically, if you're running a slow CPU (More than likely an older CPU) and a super powerful graphics card, the CPU will not be able to keep up with the GPU output of the graphics card. Thus the name bottleneck applies. For a i5 though, that should NEVER be a problem. Those babies can handle 4 GFX cards in SLI/Crossfire easy.