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GPU Memory

nevica

nevica

nevica

Associate
Joined
22 Nov 2012
Posts
31
Hello,

Is it possible to know the RAM usage of a GPU at a certain time. ie playing a game.

What happens when the GPU memory becomes full? IS it off loaded to the main RAM of the CPU?

It seems that newer GPUs are moving towards 4GB memory. Is this because games are tending to use more GPU RAM.

Any knowledge would be most helpful.

Regards,

Nevica
 
MSI Afterburner monitors VRAM usage for most cards now. Some games use more than 1GB of VRAM at high resolutions (1080p and above), and it looks like that's the direction we're heading in. I've never seen my 3GB card come anywhere close to using more than 1.5GB at 1440p in any game though. I think it's mainly to make better use of xfire or SLI setups where you're doubling your GPU grunt but keeping the same VRAM (it's mirrored across the cards, not doubled). I wouldn't buy a 1GB card now though.

Typically, hitting a VRAM wall can result in pretty severe framerate drops. You can free up some VRAM by disabling windows aero for the games that are using the most VRAM.
 
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+1 for MSI Afterburner, can see everything you want to know in there.

games have increasingly started using more graphics RAM yes.

back a few years ago, 1GB of graphics RAM would have had you set. nowadays you need 2GB for 1080p, and more if you wanna be future-proof, or turn your AA settings up.

if you max out your graphics RAM, you will see a huge decrease in performance, and will need to turn some settings down if things get choppy. if you've got 2GB though, it shouldn't be a problem.

bus speed is also important too. I believe that is how fast the card is able to access the RAM? if the bus speed is low, even with 2GB of RAM, things might get choppy at ultra high resolutions / high AA settings.
 
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