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How much video memory is required?
Topic Started: Sep 29 2005, 07:13 PM (198 Views)
b11_
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How does one determine the amount of video card memory needed? I have a 17 inch monitor and the screen resolution is always set at 800x600.
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bigsteve4570
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Your monitor size doesn't matter. What you need to consider are the applications & games you'll be running.

Watching DVD's doesn't require much video memory. Games & graphics programs can use a TON!

The rule of thumb here is, whatever the min. required video memory for an application ... you want at least DOUBLE that.
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Enigma Deadsouls
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bigsteve4570
Sep 29 2005, 10:17 PM
The rule of thumb here is, whatever the min. required video memory for an application ... you want at least DOUBLE that.

Ha... when I read this a min ago I was thinking the same thing.

Now... for basic 2d only stuff it is possible to figure out how much ram you need. First to figure out how many pixels you are displaying (800 * 600 = 480000), and the color depth, usually either 24 bit (16.7 million colors) or 32 bit (16.7 million colors, with an 8 bit alpha channel (256 shades of gray from pure black to pure white)). This means either 24 bits (3 bytes) or 32 bits (4 bytes) of info is needed for each pixel. So if you have an 800x600 display at 24 bit color then you need 1440000 bytes (1.37 MBytes) of ram ((800*600)*3), and at 32 bit color then you need 1920000 bytes (1.83 MBytes) of ram ((800*600)*4).

Not that this info is really of any use unless the only games you play are Minesweeper and Solitaire. Like steve said... look at the games or software you are using and see what the min specs are and then double it... and then maybe even double it again if you plan on playing newer games that have yet to be released.
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Mullet Man
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I would suggest a Nvidia GeForce MX4000 video card if you want good graphics and plan on playing most older games. This card has 64MB ram and is pretty cheap at around $30.00
If you plan on playing newer games or graphic intense games, then get a better card like a GeForce FX5200 with 128MB RAM or better.
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b11_
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But maybe the minimum specs take into consideration a possible very large screen resolution. I intend to stick to 800 X 600. What do you guys think? What can a user do to reduce the need for alot of video ram?
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TD25x
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b11_
Nov 9 2005, 07:06 PM
What can a user do to reduce the need for alot of video ram?

Don't run graphic intensive apps
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‡ EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB
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b11_
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If I stuck to 800 x 600, wouldn't that help?
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TD25x
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If you are really trying to by with the least amount of video ram I'd recommend getting an old 1MB Trident TVGA 8900C and use an old Zenith black and white TV for a monitor and just use it for word processing and sending email..
T5224
‡ Intel DG33TLM
‡ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
‡ 2 x 1GB Crucial PC6400 DDR2
‡ EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB
‡ 1- WD 80GB SATA2 10,000RPM Raptor
‡ 1- WD 1.0TB SATA3 7200RPM
‡ Samsung 22x DVD-RW SH-S222L
‡ Corsair AX750W PSU
‡ Win7 Ult x64
‡ Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse
‡ DELL - UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-inch Flat Panel
‡ Bose Companion 3 speakers
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Pianolady
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b11_
Nov 9 2005, 07:06 PM
But maybe the minimum specs take into consideration a possible very large screen resolution. I intend to stick to 800 X 600. What do you guys think? What can a user do to reduce the need for alot of video ram?

Sticking to 800X600 and lowest settings can only help so much.

I think the minimum specs are for lowest settings and probably it'll run, but that's about it. Doesn't mean it will run well on the lowest settings, just that it will run. At least that's been my experience.

I'd look at the newer games on the market, and check the recommended system requirements for them, they're quite demanding. My son just got his X3 Reunion game in the mail today, and here's its specs:

Required:
Pentium4 1.7GHz or higher
512mb RAM
128mb 3D card with Direct X9 & pixel shader 1.3

Recommended:
Pentium4 2.4 GHz or higher
1GB RAM
256mb 3D card with Direct X9 & pexel shader 2.0

That's some pretty serious requirements! And I do think the games will get more and more demanding as the technology allows. So, I'd say buy the best card you can afford.
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