What Does Memory on Card Do?

[nheather]

About to update the GFX Cards on two gaming PCs and was wondering whether I need 1GB or will 512MB be ample.

Basically, because of the monitors, gaming will be at 1280x1024 and I don't have any intention of changing the monitors in the forseeable future.

So guys here have wisely advised that 512MB would be ample.

But this got me think what the memory was used for.

If I've got my maths right 1280x1024x32bit equates to just 5MB.

So what is the memory used for?

What deterimes when you would need to move from 512MB to 1GB?

Is there any benefit to having more memory (other than future proofing) or is it that the extra doesn't get used at all?

Thanks for the advice.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[kppanic]

One frame is 5mb, imagine trying to pull 120 frames per second.

 

[nheather]

Yes I can understand that - so is that purpose of the memory, to buffer 1 sec worth of frames?

So if I run at 60Hz, then it needs 315MB?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[gurusan]

It doesn't work quite like that. As far as I understand it textures are basically image files that are applied to 3d surfaces. Some will be higher quality and therefore will require more memory. The more surface area that needs to be rendered (with applied textures) then obviously the more memory you need.

For 1280x1024 it's safe to say you will be fine with 512mb for some time to come.

 

[Disco Boy]

It remembers stuff.

Fewer pixels = it needs to remember less stuff.

So at your res, 512mb would be ample.


Selling your car on, however, may be more difficult, as memory on cards increases as time goes on, so when you come to sell your card (if you do come to sell your card) it will be more obsolete than a 1gb model.