Question about VRAM usage on different graphics cards.

[FinalTidus]

Hi guys...

I just wanted to create this thread on a very interesting topic about my observations on VRAM usage when playing games on different graphics cards with different amount of VRAM, even on the exact same settings in games.

Example:

I upgraded my GTX 670 to the GTX 970. It was a 2GB card to a 4GB card. However I still play my games on the exact same settings without any changes at all.

When I loaded up Crysis 3, the VRAM usage on my GTX670 was about 1.5GB max at maximum settings.

However when I loaded up Crysis 3 on my GTX970 with the exact same settings, now my VRAM usage is about 2.3GB! Like what happened? How come there is an increase of almost 1GB with the exact same settings?

So I loaded up Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite and GRID 2. the exact same thing happened! Every game that I loaded up with the exact same settings as from my GTX670, the VRAM increased by about 500MB to 1GB.

Very interesting thing that I just wanted to share with you bros here. You can do your own experiment tests with your own rig to see if this is also the case .

i wonder why....

 

[12122012]

Memory allocation is a far different thing than memory USAGE. The game will allocate more VRAM if you have it but if you don't it won't necessarily cause performance issues. My Crysis 3 usage hovers around 3.5-4GB at any given time at 1440p but the game will run just fine on a 7970 with 3GB of memory...

..................

 

[yukita]

actually this happen to system ram also.

example, on 4GB laptop, the ram usage is hovering on 2.5-3GB max,

but after upgrade the ram, the usage now is around 4-5GB

i guess when have more ram to play, it will be like cache.

 

[FinalTidus]

actually this happen to system ram also.

example, on 4GB laptop, the ram usage is hovering on 2.5-3GB max,

but after upgrade the ram, the usage now is around 4-5GB

i guess when have more ram to play, it will be like cache.

Oh i see.

But do you see any performance improvements?

 

[royfrosty]

Thats very normal.

If the given resources are given 2gb ram they will work within the 2gb ram.

If you are given more resources in such 4gb ram they will take up more instead.

Performance yes there is a difference also. Try crank up all the settings especially shadow textures and other AA settings you will see a difference in FPS dip if you stuck at 2gb.

EDIT: Also the difference in a higher res.