The YouTube channel of the hardware has tested two variations of the new RTX 5060 TI video card: with 8 GB and 16 GB video memory. The cut version showed disappointing results – many games are almost twice as worse than on the older model. In fact, there is nothing surprising here. Technical observers have long been warned that soon 8 GB VRAM will not be sufficient for the comfortable passing on of AAA delivery. Yes, even in 1080p. In general, if you are just going to update your PC, let’s find out which volume of video fairs should be taken to not regret anything in a few years.
Why do games become so “voriously” for Vram?
The realities we came to today had loomed for years. Since the release of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X it has become clear that it was worth waiting for a big leap in system requirements, especially to Vram.
Modern game consoles use a uniform memory architecture, where 16 GB GDDR6 serves both as RAM and as a video memory. That is, the graphic adapter and processor have direct access to the same high -speed memory, which eliminates the need for a separate data transfer, as is the case in the traditional PC. Accordingly, developers can create worlds with impressive details without sacrificing the quality of textures.
A uniform console architecture has unfortunately negatively influenced the owners of budget computers. It leads to an increase in the requirements for the amount of memory in multi -platform games, which, as standard, are led by the “iron” prefixes. Moreover, we are increasingly seeing games tracing with unknown rays. For example, next month release Doom: The Dark Ages, which cannot be played if your video card does not support RT technologies. And tracing rays, as you know, significantly increases the tax on video memory, for which storage of a large amount of data about the scene for realistic lighting and reflections is required.
How much memory does your video card have?
Forget 6 GB
Graphic adapters with 6 GB Vram are less common, but still remain one of the options when the gamer looks at the game system. For example, you can buy a laptop with RTX 4050, which only has 6 GB. Or find the RTX 2060 used with a similar amount of memory in the hope of saving as much as possible.
It is better to immediately throw out such options. It makes sense to consider only 6 GB VRAM if you are sure that you will not play the novelty and are looking for a video card exclusively for the passage of old games or network projects such as such as such as Dota 2 or Counter-Strike 2. Modern AAA releases per type of remake Silent Hill 2, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl or Horizon Forbidden West does not look very good on graphic adapters of the budget and goes very badly. The same Indiana Jones and The Great Circle require at least 8 GB Vram: it starts on video cards with 6 GB, but with artifacts, broken lighting and other technical problems.
What’s wrong with 8 GB Vram
If you already have a video card with 8 GB and you play with a resolution of 1080p, you can “propeller” for a few more years. Games, which misses such a volume VRAM, is becoming more and more, but this does not mean that you have to work for upgrade today.
Another thing – if you are still planning to update a new PC, collect a new PC or look at the monitors with a resolution of 1440p or 4K. Then certainly not consider video cards with 8 GB. This is the money for the wind, because you have to upgrade again in a few years, especially when the consoles of the new generation will be released and the next leap will take place in the system requirements.
In some games, the difference between 8 GB and 16 GB forms a huge gap between the rest of the similar video cards. Thus, experts from the German PCGAMEHARWARE site tested the AMD RX 7600 and RX 7600 XT graphic adapters, who have different memory volumes. In certain projects, video cards show the same performance, but in others – we actually look at devices of different classes. For example C Ratchet & Clank: Rift apart when solving 1080p with maximum graphic settings with the RX 7600 Ray Trace problems average SAD 12.9 FPS. But the XT version for 16 GB Video memory is 34.6 fps. Colossal difference.
The RTX 5060 Ti review of the hardware -not -Boxed models, which were initially mentioned, also clearly demonstrated the growing irrelefiality of 8 GB video memory. As a more expensive version of 16 GB of comfortable 90+ FPS gives in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Ultra settings, the latest version will fly to the desktop. 8 GB Vram does not allow you to set similar settings. And we are talking about 1080p.
Of course, the difference in the amount of memory is even more felt with high resolutions. Despite the fact that the RTX 5060 Ti at 16 GB is placed as a graphic adapter of the middle class, it is about 1440p and even 4K. 67 FPS With a very high settings in 4K C DLSS in Horizon Forbidden West is a great result. In this case, the cut version in this case only publishes 16 fps.
12 GB is good, but 16 is better
So if you are planning to take a video card, it makes sense to look at the models with 12 GB Vram. This year, such a volume is exactly enough for a comfortable game in most modern projects at high or maximum settings in a resolution of 1080p and even 1440p. Given the current trends in the development of graphic images and the introduction of technologies such as tracing rays, it can be expected that 12 GB will be sufficient for about 2-3 years without serious compromises.
Nevertheless, technical observers suggest that by 2027–2028 12 GB will probably start limiting in AAA projects. Of course it will be possible to play novelty, but you probably have to reduce textures and resource -intensive functions. Therefore, if you need the maximum tank for the future or are you interested in 4K, it is better to concentrate on 16 GB and higher.
In this whole situation, one thing is pleased – video cards with 16 GB video memory is not much more expensive than cut versions. For example, RX 7600 XT costs only $ 60 more than the basic model, and RTX 5060 TI with 16 GB – only $ 50 exceeds the price of the option with 8 GB. At least if we talk about the producers who recommend prices.
The most important thing is to carefully check which version of the stores offers. Especially when you choose the already assembled PC, where they can place the 8 GB video card and then have an RTX 5060 Ti in the assembly. Although in practice it is a graphic adapter of a completely different class.
What do you think? What is the optimum number of video memory in 2025? Tell us in the comments.
Are you planning to buy a new video card?
Source: VG Times
Christina Moncayo is a contributing writer for “Social Bites”. Her focus is on the gaming industry and she provides in-depth coverage of the latest news and trends in the world of gaming.