Is getting a 2GB graphics card now a good idea?

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kiysumi

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I found quite a powerful graphics card that is able to run most (if not all) of the latest video games. But the thing is, it has only 2GB VRAM.
The 4GB model has twice the price and my parents would go crazy if I bought that, even if I do it with my own money. And also, spending $250 dollars like that doesn't make me feel very good, because being a teenager, I earn money harder.
I don't mind not being able to play the video games fully HD with 2GB, but I'm afraid that future games will use at least 3 or 4GB at their minimum.
 
Solution
geofelt
I think you are OK.
VRAM has become a marketing issue.
My understanding is that vram is more of a performance issue than a functional issue.
A game needs to have most of the data in vram that it uses most of the time.
Somewhat like real ram.
If a game needs something not in vram, it needs to get it across the pcie boundary
hopefully from real ram and hopefully not from a hard drive.
It is not informative to know to what level the available vram is filled.
Possibly much of what is there is not needed.
What is not known is the rate of vram exchange.
Vram is managed by the Graphics card driver, and by the game. There may be differences in effectiveness between amd and nvidia cards.
And differences between games.
Here is an older...
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kiysumi

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Jun 28, 2017
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Like I said, I don't mind not being able to play games fully HD. I just want them not to lag and the voices to be synchronizing with the characters while they're speaking. My biggest concern is that future video games will need at least 3 or 4GB even at minimum quality.
 
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YoAndy

YoAndy

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Jan 27, 2017
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You will be able to play games at a lower resolutions even at 1080p with really low details. Because 1080p at high details uses more than 3gb vram ( example FAR CRY 4)
90_733_much-vram-need-1080p-1440p-4k-aa-enabled.png

 
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kiysumi

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Jun 28, 2017
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Thank you!
 
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YoAndy

YoAndy

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What card are you thinking on getting?
 
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kiysumi

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Jun 28, 2017
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GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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I think you are OK.
VRAM has become a marketing issue.
My understanding is that vram is more of a performance issue than a functional issue.
A game needs to have most of the data in vram that it uses most of the time.
Somewhat like real ram.
If a game needs something not in vram, it needs to get it across the pcie boundary
hopefully from real ram and hopefully not from a hard drive.
It is not informative to know to what level the available vram is filled.
Possibly much of what is there is not needed.
What is not known is the rate of vram exchange.
Vram is managed by the Graphics card driver, and by the game. There may be differences in effectiveness between amd and nvidia cards.
And differences between games.
Here is an older performance test comparing 2gb with 4gb vram.
http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Performance-2GB-vs-4GB-Memory-154/
Spoiler... not a significant difference.
A more current set of tests shows the same results:
http://www.techspot.com/review/1114-vram-comparison-test/page5.html

And... no game maker wants to limit their market by
requiring huge amounts of vram. The vram you see will be appropriate to the particular card.
 
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Solution
Ditt44

Ditt44

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Mar 30, 2012
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If you absolutely NEED a new GPU, and that's your budget range, then get it. If you only WANT a new card, I would suggest you wait, save more money and watch pricing to see if the better cards like the 1060x6GB or even 1070s become more affordable (post-mining-ridiculosityness). I feel that getting a 1050 now is not a good buy, personal opinion.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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What graphics are you using now?
What is the 2gb graphics card you found?
What is the make/model of your psu.

Here are some considerations:

1. If you upgrade a graphics card, make it at least a 3 tier jump on toms gpu hierarchy list.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

2. Older 2gb cards like perhaps a GTX680 can be a nice upgrade if priced right on the used market.

3. Older cards need more power. GTX680, for example needs 2 6 pin connectors, typically available on a good 550w psu.
R9 cards in that performance class typically need 75w more.

 
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