AMD Radeon R9 390X vs R9 290X - VRAM Performance Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Role of VRAM
3. The Controversy Surrounding 8GB VRAM
4. How VRAM Works
5. The Importance of GPU Power
6. Benchmarks and Comparisons
   • 6.1 Crysis 3
   • 6.2 Battlefield Hardline
   • 6.3 Grand Theft Auto V
   • 6.4 Metro Redux
   • 6.5 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
   • 6.6 Batman: Arkham Knight
7. The Limitations of VRAM
8. The Pros and Cons of Increasing VRAM
9. FAQs
10. Conclusion

Introduction

👋 Hey, guys! Welcome back to Hub Unboxed. I'm your host, Matt. Last week, we reviewed the new Radeon r9 390x and sparked some controversy with my comment about the 8GB memory buffer. In this article, we'll delve deep into the world of VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) to understand its role in gaming and whether 8GB of VRAM is really necessary. So, let's dive in and shed some light on this hot topic!

Understanding the Role of VRAM

VRAM plays a crucial role in the rendering process of images on a GPU. It acts as a memory buffer, holding textures, frame buffers, and other assets necessary for rendering. By accessing information from VRAM instead of slower alternatives like a hard drive or system memory, the GPU can render images faster and more efficiently. But the question remains: how much VRAM does a gaming setup really need?

The Controversy Surrounding 8GB VRAM

The controversy surrounding the 8GB VRAM Stems from the assumption that more VRAM automatically translates to better performance at high resolutions and with demanding rendering features. However, it's important to note that the GPU's power plays a critical role in determining its ability to handle the extra data. Simply adding more VRAM to a GPU without sufficient processing power won't necessarily yield better performance.

How VRAM Works

To understand the impact of VRAM on gaming performance, it's essential to look at real-world benchmarks and comparisons. We'll dive into various games and analyze the VRAM usage to determine if having 8GB of VRAM makes a significant difference. Let's explore these tests and uncover the truth.

Benchmarks and Comparisons

6.1 Crysis 3

In our first benchmark, we tested Crysis 3 at 4K resolution with both the Radeon r9 290x and the r9 390x, each operating at the same clock speeds. Surprisingly, the results showed that the Game only required a little over 2GB of VRAM, regardless of the card used. This demonstrates that VRAM usage is surprisingly low in certain scenarios.

6.2 Battlefield Hardline

Moving on to Battlefield Hardline, we again tested both GPUs at max in-game settings and 2x MSAA. Surprisingly, both the r9 290x and the r9 390x delivered the same performance, with an average frame rate of 35 FPS. The VRAM usage increased to around 3GB when we raised the MSAA level to 4x, further reducing the frame rate.

6.3 Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is known for its VRAM appetite. However, even with the game maxed out at standard graphics settings and FXAA, both the r9 290x and the r9 390x only managed around 36 FPS, utilizing roughly 3.3GB of VRAM. The game could be set to use up to 6.5GB of VRAM, but the GPUs couldn't deliver playable performance under those conditions.

6.4 Metro Redux

Similar to Crysis 3, Metro Redux exhibited impressive visuals with minimal VRAM usage. Both the r9 290x and the r9 390x averaged 24 FPS while utilizing just 1.2GB of VRAM. This highlights that not all visually stunning games require a significant amount of VRAM.

6.5 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, thanks to its high-resolution DLC Package, pushed VRAM usage beyond 4GB. While the r9 390x reached 5.2GB at 4K, the r9 290x, limited by its 4GB VRAM capacity, was only one frame per Second slower. This exemplifies that despite exceeding 4GB of VRAM usage, the GPUs performed similarly.

6.6 Batman: Arkham Knight

In our final benchmark, Batman: Arkham Knight, we witnessed even higher VRAM usage than Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. At 4K, the r9 390x utilized 6.1GB of VRAM, while the r9 290x, limited to 4GB, was just one frame per second slower. Once again, we see that exceeding 4GB of VRAM doesn't necessarily yield a substantial performance difference.

The Limitations of VRAM

Based on the benchmarks and comparisons, it's clear that VRAM alone doesn't guarantee better gaming performance, especially at high resolutions. While certain games may indeed utilize more than 4GB of VRAM, the GPU's processing power plays a pivotal role in leveraging that extra memory. Without a powerful GPU, increasing VRAM won't result in a significant performance boost.

The Pros and Cons of Increasing VRAM

While the value of having more than 4GB of VRAM remains debatable, let's briefly discuss the pros and cons of increasing VRAM.

Pros of Increasing VRAM:

• Potential for improved performance in games that heavily utilize VRAM
• Future-proofing for upcoming games with higher VRAM requirements
• Enhanced multitasking capabilities when running multiple applications simultaneously

Cons of Increasing VRAM:

• Increased cost of graphics cards with higher VRAM capacities
• Diminishing returns in terms of performance improvement beyond a certain point
• Limited impact without a powerful GPU to effectively utilize the extra memory

It's important to weigh these factors when considering whether to invest in a GPU with more VRAM.

FAQs

Q: Does having more VRAM improve gaming performance? A: In most cases, more VRAM alone doesn't guarantee better gaming performance. The GPU's processing power is equally vital in leveraging the additional memory.

Q: Should I buy a graphics card with 8GB of VRAM for gaming? A: It depends on various factors such as the games you play, their VRAM requirements, and your budget. Consider the pros and cons we discussed earlier to make an informed decision.

Q: Are there any downsides to increasing VRAM? A: Increasing VRAM beyond a certain point may yield diminishing returns in terms of performance improvement. Additionally, GPUs with higher VRAM capacities tend to be more expensive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the necessity of 8GB of VRAM stems from a misunderstanding of its role in gaming performance. While some games may utilize more than 4GB of VRAM, a powerful GPU is crucial to effectively leverage that additional memory. VRAM alone doesn't guarantee a substantial performance boost, especially at high resolutions. So, when considering a graphics card, focus on finding the right balance between VRAM capacity and GPU power. Keep gaming and stay informed! 👊

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Highlights:

• VRAM plays a crucial role in the rendering process of images on a GPU.
• Simply adding more VRAM without a powerful GPU won't necessarily improve gaming performance.
• Benchmarks show that VRAM usage can be surprisingly low in some games, even at high resolutions.
• GPU power is essential in leveraging VRAM effectively.
• Increasing VRAM beyond a certain point may yield diminishing returns in terms of performance improvement.
• Consider the pros and cons before deciding on the amount of VRAM to invest in.