As gamers, we always want the best gaming experience possible. That means having the latest graphics card and the most VRAM (Video RAM) that our budget will allow. But how much VRAM do you actually need for gaming? And is it worth spending top dollar on a high-end card with more VRAM than you need?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what factors influence how much VRAM you need for gaming and explore some of the best options for cards with different levels of VRAM. Let’s get started!
What is VRAM?
VRAM is short for Video RAM, and it’s a type of memory that your graphics card uses to store information about the image that is currently being displayed on your screen. The more VRAM a graphics card has, the better it will be able to handle high-resolution images and complex graphics.
When it comes to upgradability, VRAM is not something you can just uninstall and upgrade with a higher amount. The GPU’s VRAM is built into the hardware, so you’ll need to purchase an entirely new graphics card if you want more VRAM.
Do Games Utilize VRAM?
If you are playing a game with high graphics, then the game will definitely utilize more VRAM. Nowadays, almost all newly released games are designed to take advantage of powerful GPUs with large amounts of VRAM, so if you’re planning on playing the latest and greatest games, you’ll need a graphics card with plenty of VRAM.
Let’s take an example by discussing the VRAM required for different games. Fortnite requires 3 GB, whereas Assassin’s creed unity needs 2 GB and Overwatch requires 4 GB. As you can see from the example, even relatively simple games like Fortnite can require a fair amount of VRAM, and more complex games like Overwatch can require even more.
Does recording gameplay footage use VRAM?
If you are a YouTuber or just like to record your gameplay, then you will need even more VRAM. That’s because when you record gameplay footage, you are essentially recording two images at once: the image that is being displayed on your screen and the image that is being recorded. This requires twice as much VRAM as simply playing the game, so if you plan on recording gameplay footage, you’ll need a graphics card with a minimum of 4 GB of VRAM.
What are the different types of VRAM?
There are two main types of VRAM: GDDR5 and GDDR6.
GDDR5 is the older and slower of the two types, and it is typically found on budget graphics cards. GDDR6 is newer and faster, and it is generally found on high-end graphics cards.
The type of VRAM that a graphics card has can significantly impact its performance. In general, GDDR5 VRAM is about half as fast as GDDR6 VRAM, so a graphics card with GDDR5 VRAM will not be able to perform as well as a graphics card with GDDR6 VRAM.
How much VRAM do you need for gaming?
The answer to this question depends on a few different factors, including the resolution of your monitor, the quality settings you’re using in your games, and the types of games you’re playing.
If you’re using a standard 1080p monitor, you won’t need as much VRAM as someone who is using a 4K monitor. For example, you need 8 GB of VRAM to play games at 4K resolution. If you’re only using a 1080p monitor, 3-4 GB of VRAM will be enough.
The quality settings you’re using in your games will also affect how much VRAM you need. If you’re playing games, then 4 GB of VRAM will not be enough.
Lastly, the types of games you’re playing will also dictate how much VRAM you need. More graphics-intensive games will require more VRAM than less demanding games.
Here is a table that outlines how much VRAM you need for different gaming scenarios:
| Monitor Resolution | Quality Settings | Type of Game | Amount of VRAM Needed |
| 1080p | Low-medium | Less demanding games | 3-4 GB |
| 1080p | High | More demanding games | 4 GB |
| 4K | Low-medium | Less demanding games | 6-8 GB |
| 4K | High | More demanding games | 8+ GB |
Factors that impact how much VRAM you need:
A few factors will influence how much VRAM you need for gaming.
Resolution
The first is the resolution of your monitor. A higher resolution will require more VRAM to store the image, while a lower resolution will require less. For example, if you’re gaming at 1080p (1920×1080), you’ll need less VRAM than if you’re gaming at 4K (3840×2160).
Graphic Settings
The next factor is the graphics settings you’re using. The higher the settings, the more VRAM you’ll need. For example, if you’re playing a game on low settings, you won’t need as much VRAM as if you’re playing the same game on ultra settings.
Multi-monitor gaming
If you’re gaming with multiple monitors, that will also impact how much VRAM you need. For example, if you’re gaming on two 1080p monitors, you’ll need more VRAM than if you’re gaming on a single 4K monitor.
VR gaming
Finally, if you’re planning on doing any VR gaming, you’ll need a graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best graphics card for gaming?
If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience, you’ll want to buy a high-end graphics card. These cards are typically more expensive, but they offer the best performance. Some of the best options on the market include the NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti and the AMD Radeon VII.
Can we extend VRAM afterward?
Unfortunately, no. The manufacturer determines the amount of VRAM on a graphics card, and it can’t be changed after the fact. So, if you’re looking for a graphics card with a specific amount of VRAM, you’ll need to buy one that already has that amount.
Final words
The amount of VRAM you need for gaming depends on a variety of factors. Your screen resolution matters, as to what game you’re playing, and how demanding the graphics settings are. In most cases, 3-4 GB of VRAM will be enough for 1080p gaming, but if you’re looking to game at 4K or do any VR gaming, you’ll need a card with 8 GB of VRAM or more.
Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you determine how much VRAM you need for gaming.
