Would I benefit from 3gb Vram?

[ewarwoowar]

Hai guise,

I currently have an MSI Twin Frozr II GTX580, the 1.5gb version and just wondered if I would benefit much from moving up to 3gb? Never really understood the usage of VRAM in a gaming environment. Here's what I do.

-I don't do any 3D modelling work or anything.
-1920x1080 resolution
-I do like to have quite a bit of AA
-I am intending to do 3D gaming eventually though
-Like to tax my card so play graphic intensive. So stuff like AvP I play a bit. Just got Metro 2033. Intending to purchase me Crysis 2 after completing Crysis 1.


Maybe if someone could explain the uses of the VRAM I could work out for myself if I need it

 

[kmufc77]

No as at your current res 1.5gb Vram is fine

Anything above 1920 by 1200 and the extra Vram comes in handy for extra pixels on screen.

Basically the higher screen res the more pixles are on screen which need more video ram but at your current res of 1920 by 1080 1.5gb of Vram is fine

However If you had 3gb Vram you will be able to have more AA applied in some games with no hit to performance.

 

[ewarwoowar]

Good to know, thank you!

Time to get this pre oced card even moar oced!

 

[chaotic_uk]

However If you had 3gb Vram you will be able to have more AA applied in some games with no hit to performance.

not always the case , depends of the gpu and what you are doing etc etc

 

[sand_dune]

You need a certain amount of Vram to run certain graphics settings. More complexed settings = more Vram(including effects, textures, resolution). If the graphics setting is too high for the amount of Vram, performance falls greatly, no matter how fast is your gpu.

At the same moment if GPU is weak, it still wouldn't run games smoothly no matter how much Vram you give it.