Would a 4GB video card be more future proof?

[bookwormzsh]

I am asking this on account of my dilemma of trying to decide on whether I want to buy a GTX 670 FTW 2GB or a GTX 670 FTW+ 4GB. I have researched and seen that the current performance does not differ much between the two models, but I know the requirements on games will continue to become more and more demanding. I am looking about not upgrading for around 5-8 years...

 

[sam_p_lay]

Nice choice! If you want 5-8 years, 4GB is probably a wise choice. Be aware though that although the GTX670 is absolutely awesome in today's games, 8 years from now it's gonna be a dinosaur anyway. You could always add a second in SLI in a couple of years but it might be hard to find 4GB models at that point. Beyond two years, it'll likely be hard to find a second one at all.

 

[unoriginal1]

If you plan to be able to play on the highest settings. A 5-8 year expectation is out of the question for any card. Sorry :/.

Your looking at 1-2 years max (my opinion as non of us can predict the future)

 

[sam_p_lay]

Agreed. Maybe 1-2 is a little pessimistic, depends on settings of course. If you're willing to drop em, you'll get more use out of it (provided it lives that long - good luck finding a 5-8 year warranty!). If you're willing to even drop AA and resolution, it'll last even longer. But not quite that long 🙂 Eight years ago, the GeForce 6800 Ultra was the best thing out. Today, it's equivalent to a GT610 (which can be had for ~$30 / ~£20). You wouldn't buy a GT610 for your worst enemy 😛

 

[Derza10]

No reason to get more than 2gb... unless you are going to sli. A single card won't be powerful enough to take advantage of the 4gb.

 

[unoriginal1]

Agreed. Maybe 1-2 is a little pessimistic, depends on settings of course.

Lol mayhaps a bit. Just don't want OP to buy it expecting 2-3 and get only 1 etc.
Personally.. Graphics aren't huge to me, I hung onto my old 9800gt (still have it haha).

@derza. I agree with his post. I think the "4GB" is more of a marketing scheme then anything to do with actual performance. It's there for those that are like OH DAYMN it's double the mem that has to be fast. Easy sales.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Pffft I still have a Radeon 9700. Infact I have an old 8-bit ISA parallel port, mint condition :-D

I saw a GT640 earlier with 4GB. Absolute wankers.

 

[bookwormzsh]

Best answer selected by bookwormzsh.

 

[bookwormzsh]

Thanks, I think I may go with the 2GB one. Five to eight years was a bit extreme but was curious. It would be more around three or four years. The graphics settings I will use won't be very high later- or maybe even now- on account of me not really having a desire to run every game on Maximum settings. I am in the process of acquiring all the parts and will build it around Christmas. Regardless, it will be a huge upgrade from my Single core AMD SI-42 laptop with a sub-par video card and will be glad I can actually play the games.

 

[Commandermadi]

vram size is never a measure for future proofing imo..

 

[sam_p_lay]

It's an awesome card - every game out now can be maxed on it at 1080p with AA. That will probably be true for another year or two before you need to start dropping to medium (unless you're one of those people who refuses to play below 60fps) 🙂 Anyway, good purchase - have fun with it!

 

[DarkSable]

Personally.. Graphics aren't huge to me, I hung onto my old 9800gt

You too? 😀
Mine is sitting on the bookshelves next to me in a place of honor.


That being said, OP, don't bother with a 4GB card unless you're doing SLI on three monitors. By the time you won't be able to make do with a 2GB card, you won't be able to make do with a 670.

 

[unoriginal1]

You too? 😀
Mine is sitting on the bookshelves next to me in a place of honor.

LMBO! Yes sir. Loved that card back in the day. I'm actually still playing older games with it lol. Hasn't given up on met yet *fingers crossed*