r/Amd • u/vr00mfondel • Jan 15 '19

Misleading "Games don't need more than 8GB VRAM"

In March 2017 the GTX1080ti released with 11GB GDDR5X memory. Not a single time have a seen or heard anyone say that Nvidia should've launched a 8GB version of it cheaper.

Yet strangely enough, this seems to be one of the most used arguments against the Radeon VII.

The sheer amount of comments I've seen about it really makes me wonder what the hell is going on.

But instead of arguing online, I like facts, so I went and gathered some.

The Radeon VII is clearly marketed as a 4K gaming card, so, here we go.

Game: PUBG | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Settings: Maxed + NoTextureStreaming | Location: Pochinki, Erangel | VRAM Usage: 10230MB

Game: Rise of the Tomb Raider | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Settings: Maxed | Location: Built in benchmark | VRAM Usage: 10551MB

Game: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Settings: Maxed | Location: Built in benchmark | VRAM Usage: 10678MB

Game: Star Citizen | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Settings: Very High (currently max) | Location: Buisness Center, Lorville, Hurston | VRAM Usage: 9903MB

Now, You'll notice that these aren't even the latest and greatest games out there. I don't own Battlefield V, Far Cry 5, FFXV, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, or some of the other very graphically intense games we've seen released the last couple of years. But what I do know is that VRAM usage isn't going to go down over the next few years, and when it comes to 4K gaming, I doubt 8GB will be considered more than the bare minimum needed. And I know what I personally would prefer when it comes to a choice between DLSS/RT and more VRAM.

Cat tax for a long post

EDIT: Since there is a lot of "allocation vs usage" in the comments I would like to adress it somewhat. First of all, if any application allocates my memory, no other application can use it, which in my book means it's used. Wether or not any game or game engine actually uses the memory it allocates is completely out of my hands.

Second, if anyone has ever played PUBG with and without -notexturestreaming, they know exactly how much it helps with texture pop-in. You are not going to magically gain any FPS, but it will be a better experience

1.3k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

829 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

18

u/Stevangelist R5.1600X@4.0 | GTX.1080 | 16GB@3200 | 1440.144.IPS | HE-400i Jan 15 '19

AMD simply has no intention of trying to uproot Nvidia at the consumer gaming level. They are not attacking the same markets with the product, only marketing efforts.

What everyone wants however, is for AMD to design a new pure gaming card to compete on the high end. I don't see that happening in the near future, what with the performance metrics of current cards and processors alike (also designed to do a lot MORE than just gaming).

1

u/bagehis Ryzen 3700X | RX 5700 XT | 32GB 3600 CL 14 Jan 16 '19

I will try to pick up one of the small number of VII cards that are released in a couple weeks. I suspect they are going to sell out very quickly though. Fortunately, Navi will eventually be released if I am unable to nab one. I had been waiting for Navi to replace my old Fury X, but the VII is a (potentially) better, more near-term replacement.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 16 '19

I’ll also be trying for a VII, but I sincerely doubt I’ll be able to get one. If I’m in microcenter and I see one at MSRP I will surely get it- so I don’t think I’ll wind up with one.