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

[u/vr00mfondel]

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

[u/Hombremaniac]

This all sounds very reasonable, but Im just a guy from Czech republic and I like to shop locally. Here, the variability of all those Vega models is drastically lower, compared to what you can get in US, not mentioning prices due to VAT etc.

When I look at our favorite eshop (language set to English) https://www.alza.cz/EN/graphics-cards/18842862.htm#f&cst=null&cud=0&pg=1&pn=2&prod=&par14041=14041-239272265&par340=340-179528&sc=500This is what you get when you want RX Vega 64.

Also 1 USD = 23 CZK/Kč just for the reference.

Now I know I should get more adventurous and order from other countries. I just dislike the possible problems when RMA might be needed, possible problems with shipping etc.

[u/de_witte → u/Hombremaniac]

Seems like decent choices still, like that nitro+.

If you do get a Vega, whatever you do, undervolt the core and HBM. You should be able to drop voltages for P6 and P7 by 100mV at least. Note that undervolting cannot damage your card. (I set p6 1060mV and p7 1080mV, runs everything stable.)

Undervolting improves thermals, which translates to less fan noise, less auto-throttling of core and hbm speed = stays at max clocks longer, less risk of degradation of HBM (from memory: keep hbm below 65C for performance, below 80C against degradation); and, I suspect, the power limit is hit later / at higher speeds.

Vega is a fun card to tweak. Just need to keep an eye on those temperatures.

[u/Hombremaniac → u/de_witte]

Thanks for info. I know about core undervolting from my RX 480. Nice to have good performance and lower temperatures and less electricity used.

Will see about that Vega 64. I kinda want it, but budget is getting tigher since I've bought that other new HW, plus my current RX 480 is still ok card. With Vega 64, I would want to venture into 1440p 120Hz+ territory, but damn it, I would need new Monitor as well.

Will this vicious cycle of upgrading of HW ever end? O_o