Boost Gaming Performance with Smart Access Memory and PCIe 4.0

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Smart Access Memory and Resizable Bar
3. testing Methodology
4. Performance on AMD Platform
5. Performance on Intel Platform
6. PCIe Gen 3 vs Gen 4
7. Conclusion
8. Future of Graphics and Connectivity
9. Nvidia's Implementation of Resizable Bar
10. Moving Forward in the Next Generation

Introduction

Hey there, ladies and gentlemen! It's Paul Hope here, and I hope you're having an amazing day. I'm excited to be back in front of the camera after being sick with the flu for almost a week. But now I'm almost back to normal, or my version of normal anyway. While I was sick, I've been itching to take a look at something that has caught my attention - Smart Access Memory or Resizable Bar. Today, I'll be diving into this technology and exploring its performance on both AMD and Intel platforms. So let's get started, shall we?

Article: Resizable Bar - Exploring the Benefits of Smart Access Memory on AMD Platform

Smart Access Memory (SAM), also known as Resizable Bar, has been making waves in the tech community. It's a feature that allows the system to access the full memory of a GPU at once, rather than in small, fixed 256-megabyte chunks. This technology has the potential to improve gaming performance and unlock new capabilities in graphics-intensive applications.

Testing Methodology

To evaluate the impact of Resizable Bar on an AMD platform, I conducted a series of tests using an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and an RX 6800 XT. These components were generously provided by AMD for the purpose of this review. I paired them with an MSI B550 Unifi motherboard and DDR4 4000MHz memory.

I tested the performance at various resolutions, including 1440p, 1080p, and 4K. I compared the results with Resizable Bar enabled and disabled, as well as between PCIe Gen 3 and Gen 4. The testing methodology involved tweaking the settings in the motherboard's BIOS to enable or disable Resizable Bar and select the desired PCIe generation.

Performance on AMD Platform

In my tests, the performance on the AMD platform with Resizable Bar enabled was impressive. There was a noticeable improvement in gaming performance, especially in GPU-bound scenarios. Games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla showed significant benefits from enabling Resizable Bar, with smoother gameplay and improved frame rates.

However, it's worth noting that in heavily GPU-bound scenarios at 4K resolution, the performance gains were not groundbreaking. It seems that the benefits of Resizable Bar may vary depending on the specific Game and its resource demands.

Performance on Intel Platform

Unfortunately, at the time of testing, Nvidia did not have driver updates for Ampere or other graphics cards to take advantage of Resizable Bar. Therefore, I couldn't evaluate the performance on an Intel platform using an Nvidia GPU. However, I did test Resizable Bar on an Intel Z490 platform with a 10900K and an RX 6800 XT. The results were remarkable, with no downsides to enabling Resizable Bar. Performance was consistently improved, making games run smoother and more efficiently.

PCIe Gen 3 vs Gen 4

There has been much hype around PCIe Gen 4 and its increased bandwidth compared to Gen 3. However, in gaming scenarios, the difference in performance between the two generations was negligible. Whether you're running an AMD or Nvidia GPU, the choice of PCIe generation didn't make a significant impact on gaming performance. However, it's worth noting that PCIe Gen 4 offers benefits in terms of SSD connectivity and productivity environments where high bandwidth is required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Smart Access Memory/Resizable Bar is a technology that offers tangible performance advantages on both AMD and Intel platforms. Enabling Resizable Bar can enhance gaming performance, particularly in GPU-bound scenarios. The choice of PCIe generation, whether Gen 3 or Gen 4, doesn't significantly impact gaming performance at the moment. However, in the future, as graphics technology advances and new features like the Velocity Architecture and DirectX 12 are implemented, bandwidth will become increasingly important.

Future of Graphics and Connectivity

We are currently in a transition period in graphics technology. With the arrival of DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5, and new APIs, such as Unreal Engine 5 with its impressive features like Lumen and Nanite, the landscape of gaming and graphics is about to change. Bandwidth between the system and GPU will play a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of these new technologies. As we move forward, Resizable Bar is something to keep in mind for optimal performance on all-AMD and Intel platforms.

Nvidia's Implementation of Resizable Bar

While Nvidia didn't have their driver updates for Resizable Bar at the time of testing, it's important to explore how their implementation will work. It will be interesting to compare the performance on both AMD and Intel platforms with Nvidia's graphics cards.

Moving Forward in the Next Generation

As we enter the next generation of gaming and graphics, there are exciting times ahead. With advancements in technology, including DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, and APIs like Unreal Engine 5, the way we experience games and graphics will evolve. Bandwidth and connectivity will play a significant role in delivering the highest performance and visual fidelity. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments!

Resources:

• AMD Official Website
• Nvidia Official Website
• Unreal Engine Website