4GB or 2GB

[BloodHK47]

Hey was wondering if there's a huge difference for at least future-proof video cards if it's better to get a video card with 2GB of VRAM or 4GB of VRAM. I'm considering getting a new video card, possibly nvidia 680 series or 670 and most cards are 2GB of VRAM. Though I want to be good in the future for cards because my mobo only has one slot for PCI express 3.0 slot. Don't want to go through hassle of getting another mobo just so I can SLI video cards.

 

[gamerkila57]

get the GTX 670 not 680

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423

 

[jerm1027]

Hey was wondering if there's a huge difference for at least future-proof video cards if it's better to get a video card with 2GB of VRAM or 4GB of VRAM. I'm considering getting a new video card, possibly nvidia 680 series or 670 and most cards are 2GB of VRAM. Though I want to be good in the future for cards because my mobo only has one slot for PCI express 3.0 slot. Don't want to go through hassle of getting another mobo just so I can SLI video cards.

That depends on the resolution. 2GB is fine for 1080p. In fact, 1GB does just fine for 1080p. However, if your running 3 or more monitors with maxed settings/high resolution textures (assuming you don't run out of graphics horsepower), that's when you might see the benefits of 4GB of video memory. With 2GB, you are more likely to run out of graphical horsepower before running into memory issues.

 

[BloodHK47]

Well just asking this because of same games that require a large video card memory such as GTA IV. Not related to it or thats just the memory core clock itself? And so VRAM just deals with if your using more monitors thats all?

 

[jerm1027]

Well just asking this because of same games that require a large video card memory such as GTA IV. Not related to it or thats just the memory core clock itself? And so VRAM just deals with if your using more monitors thats all?

Check this benchmark:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2012-vga-gpgpu/09-GTA-IV-EFLC-DirectX-9-C-Extreme,2957.html

Even at extreme settings with resolution 2560x1444, the extra memory doesn't really help. there is <1FPS difference between the 1.5GB GTX 580 and 3GB GTX 580, and a less than 0.5FPS difference between the 1GB 6950 and the 2GB 6950. In both cases, the difference does favor the card with more memory, but it's not noticeable.

Even today, 1GB is good for 1080p. 2GB is overkill unless you are stepping up the resolution with multiple monitors, so you can consider the 2GB your future-proofing.

There might be a case to go for more memory if you intended to SLI/CrossFire along with multiple monitors, but single GPU and single 1080p monitor, no reason to have more than 1GB of memory, much less 2GB.

 

[mace200200]

Nobody mentioned that most games these days only allow up to 1 Gb of VRAM. Even though some are starting to use more RAM, it'll be a while yet before we see any that will use more than 2Gbs. So like everyone else said unless your running a trillion monitor 2Gbs will be enough for you today, and for a long time.

 

[BloodHK47]

Ok that sounds reasonable. So 2GB is the winner.