Can GTX 760 utilize 4GB of graphics RAM?

[tonyvarin]

My friend and I are somewhat new to building PC's but have done extensive research in all areas. However, we have yet to definitively answer this one question.

Is the Nvidia GTX 760 capable of utilizing all 4GB of graphics RAM (in the FTW model) by itself? How about in SLI mode, is it any different?

Our builds will be using SLI, not just one 760, but I'm curious if one can even utilize it all. I mean, why make the FTW version if it can't?

We are strictly building with Battlefield 4 in mind, though of course will play other games. The build we're going with is the ASRock Extreme 4 Z87 MB, i5 4670k, and 8GB 1600mhz RAM. We plan on only playing in 1080p.

I've read a lot of people saying 2GB is "enough" for now, especially for 1080p, but we do wish to future proof ourselves a little. The recommended graphics RAM for BF4 is 3GB as most people know. Our understanding of how SLI works is that you do not add up the amount of RAM between the 2 cards, but instead the memory is mirrored, so our initial thought of 2GB cards in SLI equaling 4GB is moot.

We also realize that other cards are available, but please we just want this one question answered. We're not dumb, we know a GTX 780 exists and would be better for future proofing, but we need this specific question answered.

 

[ikaz]

Wells its as you say SLI doesn't double the RAM so 2x760 with 2Gigs will only see 2Gigs but 2x760@4GB will see 4GB.

So the basic answer is yet, the real question can you run a game and a high enough resolution where it will use more than 2Gigs of ram and your SLI setup will be fast enough to play at those settings. Thats would be a game by game question.

 

[PyjamasCat]

My friend and I are somewhat new to building PC's but have done extensive research in all areas. However, we have yet to definitively answer this one question.

Is the Nvidia GTX 760 capable of utilizing all 4GB of graphics RAM (in the FTW model) by itself? How about in SLI mode, is it any different?

Our builds will be using SLI, not just one 760, but I'm curious if one can even utilize it all. I mean, why make the FTW version if it can't?

We are strictly building with Battlefield 4 in mind, though of course will play other games. The build we're going with is the ASRock Extreme 4 Z87 MB, i5 4670k, and 8GB 1600mhz RAM. We plan on only playing in 1080p.

I've read a lot of people saying 2GB is "enough" for now, especially for 1080p, but we do wish to future proof ourselves a little. The recommended graphics RAM for BF4 is 3GB as most people know. Our understanding of how SLI works is that you do not add up the amount of RAM between the 2 cards, but instead the memory is mirrored, so our initial thought of 2GB cards in SLI equaling 4GB is mute.

We also realize that other cards are available, but please we just want this one question answered. We're not dumb, we know a GTX 780 exists and would be better for future proofing, but we need this specific question answered.

Future proofing is hard. I would say 4GB SLI. I have two 2GB 670's in SLI right now and they are somewhat limited by the memory. Especially when it comes to large resolutions. A solo 760 would be fine with 4GB. The bottle neck would end up being the GPU processing ability though if that is what you were wondering.

Unless you are dead set on these 760's, I would recommend a strong single card like the 780. It will run cooler and quieter, while giving similar performance for about the same price.

 

[cookybiscuit]

If you are at 1080p and plan to stay there, you don't need the 4GB card. If you are planning on getting just the one card, regardless of resolution you don't need the 4GB card, in a scenario where a game demands more than 2GB of VRAM then the 760 will not be able to do it at a playable framerate, meaning you have to drop the settings, leading to less VRAM. If you are going to SLI, then the 4GB models can make sense.

 

[tonyvarin]

Future proofing is hard. I would say 4GB SLI. I have two 2GB 670's in SLI right now and they are somewhat limited by the memory. Especially when it comes to large resolutions. A solo 760 would be fine with 4GB. The bottle neck would end up being the GPU processing ability though if that is what you were wondering.

Unless you are dead set on these 760's, I would recommend a strong single card like the 780. It will run cooler and quieter, while giving similar performance for about the same price.

I certainly can agree with everything you say, as in, this is what I was suspecting, but wanted to poll the audience. My friend and I were very impressed by the fact that SLI 760's could beat out the 780 and even the Titan in FPS performance, especially at 1080p (I've read the Titan [maybe the 780 too?] is optimized for higher resolution).

I think I may wait until tax season and save up for the 780 up front. The plan was to buy a 760 and deal with lower settings until I could get the 2nd for SLI and hopefully be able to run at max with >60fps.

Thanks everyone for the answers provided.

 

[PyjamasCat]

I certainly can agree with everything you say, as in, this is what I was suspecting, but wanted to poll the audience. My friend and I were very impressed by the fact that SLI 760's could beat out the 780 and even the Titan in FPS performance, especially at 1080p (I've read the Titan [maybe the 780 too?] is optimized for higher resolution).

I think I may wait until tax season and save up for the 780 up front. The plan was to buy a 760 and deal with lower settings until I could get the 2nd for SLI and hopefully be able to run at max with >60fps.

Thanks everyone for the answers provided.

Glad we could help. It has been speculated that Nvidia will drop price to match up with AMD but who knows.

 

[tonyvarin]

Also wanted to point to this article that got us thinking about dual 760's in the first place:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2013/07/07/crunching-the-numbers-can-dual-269-nvidia-gtx-760s-outperform-a-999-titan/

 

[PyjamasCat]

Also wanted to point to this article that got us thinking about dual 760's in the first place:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2013/07/07/crunching-the-numbers-can-dual-269-nvidia-gtx-760s-outperform-a-999-titan/

Yeah, I see why it seemed like a good idea. The thing is though, it would be fine if that was your only purchase. Later down the track though you might want an upgrade to keep up with the latest titles and more often than not, that upgrade is a GPU upgrade. Upgrading from SLI is more expensive than upgrading to SLI.

Also over those months/years (depending on your income and need/want for more performance), you will be running hot and loud. There will be micro stutter and general annoyances that SLI brings along sucha s compatibility with certain games. I have quite a few older games that don't support my setup and I can't get the benefit of SLI (although new titles seem to have SLI/CF more often now days).

Even if you are only running 1080p now, you can still utilize all that GPU power through various techniques such as forcing high levels of AA or even force higher resolutions (down-scaling) to achieve a supersampling like AA.

Either way, with a GTX 780, your gaming experience will be amazing.

http://screenarchery.wikia.com/wiki/Downsampling_%E2%80%93_A_full_guide_to_achieve_3840x2160_resolution_%E2%80%93_NVIDIA_only Down-sampling

 

[Pete_the_Puma]

There is currently NO BENEFIT from having 4 vs 2 GB VRAM. There are a lot of RUMORS and people saying you need more than 2GB at higher resolution but most numbers I have seen so far comparing similar GPU's with 2GB vs 4GB have failed to show any significant difference.

Copying an old post



Hi there DCP5082,

I have a GTX 670 with 2GB VRAM and game at 1440p with some reduced details at very decent frame rates. I have heard numerous times the "rumor" that the higher resolutions demands more than 2GB VRAM but whenever I try to look up actual numbers there seems to be little to no difference between similar cards at 1440p with 2 v 4 GB VRAM.

As evidenced in this review of a GTX670 4GB vs GTX670 2GB there is actually no discernible difference even at 1440p with the 2GB card actually performing faster in some test.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/08/asus_geforce_...

So until someone proves to me with numbers in hand that it is not so I would say 2GB VRAM is totally enough to game at 1440p.

P.

EDITED PS or look at this, really no difference even at 1600p
http://alienbabeltech.com/main/gtx-770-4gb-vs-2gb-teste...

there. I would not worry about getting the 2GB models.

 

[PyjamasCat]

There is currently NO BENEFIT from having 4 vs 2 GB VRAM. There are a lot of RUMORS and people saying you need more than 2GB at higher resolution but most numbers I have seen so far comparing similar GPU's with 2GB vs 4GB have failed to show any significant difference.

Copying an old post



Hi there DCP5082,

I have a GTX 670 with 2GB VRAM and game at 1440p with some reduced details at very decent frame rates. I have heard numerous times the "rumor" that the higher resolutions demands more than 2GB VRAM but whenever I try to look up actual numbers there seems to be little to no difference between similar cards at 1440p with 2 v 4 GB VRAM.

As evidenced in this review of a GTX670 4GB vs GTX670 2GB there is actually no discernible difference even at 1440p with the 2GB card actually performing faster in some test.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/08/asus_geforce_...

So until someone proves to me with numbers in hand that it is not so I would say 2GB VRAM is totally enough to game at 1440p.

P.

EDITED PS or look at this, really no difference even at 1600p
http://alienbabeltech.com/main/gtx-770-4gb-vs-2gb-teste...

there. I would not worry about getting the 2GB models.

Not entirely true. I have experienced the lack of VRAM first hand. Playing Skyrim at 1440p maxed out on one GTX 670 (2GB) and the two of them in SLI made very little difference. Maybe 30FPS increase at the most in some areas, but when outdoors in the open world, the benefit does not show.

Of course looking at that Alien Babel Tech review of the situation, to get the full improvement from having the extra RAM is being able to use it. The 4GB is more for SLI (at high res) benefit than anything else which this article does not cover.

Even looking at various posts etc, they all recommend 4GB for SLI later down the track, which the OP was intending to do, but may be going with a single card option now.

You are right, that 4GB vs 2GB has limited benefits in single cards, but SLI and higher tier like the 780 or Titan will benefit more from the extra VRAM.

 

[tonyvarin]

Just an update on my friend and I's builds. We've both decided to go with the GTX 780. SLI may be a thing down the road, unless a new single card can convince us otherwise then. Thanks again for everyone's posts, sure was some eye-opening and interesting reads.