R7 250 and VRAM

[sb1370]

According to budget and benchmarks I found these cards:
1.R7 250
2.GT 730
What do you think about the order?
About VRAM, If I get a 1GB GDDR5 may it use shared memory if it needed more? So it'd be better than a 2GB DDR3?
In my case future proof is more important than high details gaming.

 

[Cats869]

GDDR5 is probably better future proofing as it provides bettter performance and better performance is future proofing. The R7 250 is better than the GT 730 though. All graphics card do use shared video memory, except for the ones that have insane amounts of VRAM and possibly 4GB VRAM though not sure yet, need to look that up.

If you want future proofing, save up a little more and get a better card but remember to look for good price/performance. The amount you save will definitely go towards future proofing your computer in the future and is probably more worth it, err if that makes sense.

 

[coolcole01]

the r7 is better for sure and the 1 gb is dedicated vram so it cant use any other ram its not very future proof whats your build and your budget

 

[Goodfeller]

Gddr5 smashes ddr3. Get the r7. Or save up and buy a better gpu

 

[sb1370]

Thank you, but I didn't understand validity of this statement:
If I buy a 1GB GDDR5 card, if it needs more memory, it can use shared memory and total graphics memory will increase, so It's better (or at least not lesser) than a 2GB DDR3. Is it true?

And Which one is more future proof?
(For example Watch Dogs, at lowest quality requires 1GB VRAM so it's more possible in near future games need at least 2GB VRAM, right?)

 

[Cats869]

@sb1370

For your first question, if your graphics card dedicated VRAM was all used up and the computer needed to use more VRAM, it will start to use some of the system memory and will consider that as shared memory for the graphics card. If you have enough system memory, then you are good. So yes, GDDR5 is better

For future proofing, while more VRAM would be useful to run high textures and graphic settings and possibly high resolutions. The DDR3 type is very slow compared to GDDR5 so there are tradeoffs. I would rather go with GDDR5 anyday for future proofing. DDR3 isn't really that great for GPUs. Also, you should know that some graphics card vendors put extra VRAM even though its GDDR3 because its just like a gimmick but not that useful. System shared memory for graphics card will be about the same speed as DDR3 dedicated vram for cards. Hope that clears up your questions.

Question though, what are the rest of your system specs? It sometimes helps determine what the best graphics card you should get for your system build.

 

[Rapajez]

There are GT 730 models available with GDDR5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L3Y50FM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00L3Y50FM&linkCode=as2&tag=hardwarevol03-20

That said the R7 250 is still faster. If you can save up a LITTLE bit more, a R7 260X or 265 will last you a little bit longer, especially if you're gaming at 1080p. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FUR6FJ8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FUR6FJ8&linkCode=as2&tag=hardwarevol03-20

 

[Goodfeller]

Get the GTX 650 or HD 7750. Gtx 650 is Little bit better than hd 7750 but requires 6pin (still 64w in stress so very little)

 

[Cats869]

@sb1370 what CPU and Power Supply do you have? Just curious

 

[sb1370]

It's my brother's.
PSU 400W and CPU G2020
He finally bought Asus R7 250 OC, which was 25$ more expensive than GT 730.
Unfortunately we couldn't find GDDR5 edition in local stores.