VRAM 1GB or 2GB?

[lbrobot]

I am considering buying a new graphics card for my computer. Currently I have a ATI 5770 1GB, and am thinking about upgrading to a nvidia geforce 560 ti but I'm not sure whether to purchase a 1GB model or 2GB. I don't care what brand it is (EVGA, MSI, XFX, etc...) My monitor resolution is 1920x1200, and I usually tend to play games at full screen resolution(such as skyrim). People say it's good to have 2GB of VRAM at resolutions higher than 1920x1080, so would a 2GB be more beneficial than a 1GB?

System specs:
Amd Phenom ii x4 975 - 3.6ghz OC'd to 4.0ghz
4GB DDR3 RAM @ 1333Mhz
64GB solid state drive - Operating System
1TB barracuda 7200RPM hard drive
XFX radeon 5770 1GB
Thermaltake 750w psu.

 

[17seconds]

People keep recommending 2gb of VRAM for 1920 x 1200 resolutions, but the evidence doesn't hold up. Check any review showing a 1 gb card vs a 2 gb card and there is absolutely NO performance benefit from the extra RAM.

For example, this chart shows a worst-case scenario, a game with one of the highest levels of memory usage at a resolution much higher than 1920 x 1200. There is no difference between the two 6950 cards, each with different amounts of memory. Save your money and get the 1 gb GTX 560 Ti.

 

[purple stain]

^+1

What motherboard do you have?

If you have crossfire capable motherboard I would suggest getting another 5770 and waiting it out for the new cards.

 

[boju]

its true i guess comparing to the latest games out right now and will in my guess for sometime games still be console restrictive. But there could be a new pc game out there coming that'll have huge sized textures and 1gb just slightly might not be enough.

If theres not too much of a price difference get the 2gb. Its better to have more than enough then not enough.

 

[dalauder]

Link us the 2GB version you want to get. As far as I know, they cost quite a bit more. There's no sense in paying $40 (or 20% more) for a game that may not even exist while you're still gaming with this card.

 

[lbrobot]

Thanks for the replies, I looked into crossfire and SLI, but I don't have a compatible motherboard. I'm planning on buying a card that will last for 4 years, I bought my 5770 back in 2009. It looks like the 1GB will get the job done, thanks.

 

[lbrobot]

Best answer selected by lbrobot.

 

[dalauder]

What's your motherboard? (You can PM me if this thread gets closed).