GTX 770 4GB vs 2GB in SLI @ 2560x1600

[OCGuy]

Sorry, the overclock is the difference there. A complete 2Gb v 4GB review has been linked already.

That also shows the 780 minimum lower, which is not correct.

These all have a margin of error, so nothing can be discerned by that chart, other than it makes no difference.

We can all be honest about this, it is natural human behavior to try to justify one's own purchase, as well as defend it when it is called into question. However, as it stands right now, you don't need over 2GB until you get to niche resolutions. If you buy it anyway, who cares? But there is no need to give someone suggestions that is not based on actual data, just a hunch that VRAM requirements will suddenly double in the next year, when most people are on 1080p and below.

 

[Carfax83]

Sorry, the overclock is the difference there.

And I already said, that the Galaxy 4GB GTX 770 is clocked lower than the MSI Lightning, and the Gigabyte OC models..

Compared to the stock model, it's only clocked a measly 51mhz higher in core speed. Clock speed alone can't explain that massive 26% gap, sorry.

That also shows the 780 minimum lower, which is not correct.

The GTX 780 has 3GB, vs the 4GB of the Galaxy GTX 770. That could be due to statistical error, or maybe it could be correct..

These all have a margin of error, so nothing can be discerned by that chart, other than it makes no difference.

So basically, just because the review doesn't match your preconceived notion, something must be wrong with it?

The reviewer also gave his subjective impression when he said:

However, in some rare instances like Crysis 3, it prevents framerates from plunging down into unplayable territory every now and then and that makes a huge difference in perceptual onscreen performance. That’s actually quite important since a sense of fluidity can be maintained without resorting to higher clock speeds.

Crysis 3 and BF4 are two of the few games that will routinely use over 2GB of VRAM if available, so 4GB will give you increased smoothness and less stuttering over 2GB.

But with next gen gaming getting ready to go into full swing, you can expect future games to be using MORE VRAM in the future, not less.

However, as it stands right now, you don't need over 2GB until you get to niche resolutions. If you buy it anyway, who cares? But there is no need to give someone suggestions that is not based on actual data, just a hunch that VRAM requirements will suddenly double in the next year, when most people are on 1080p and below.

The OP said he games at 1600p, which is hardly a common resolution. Also, the next gen consoles come furnished with about 5GB of memory that can be used solely for graphics.. Developers are definitely going to starting using that memory, not just for rendering, but for caching and preloading data as well..

 

[pcslookout]

I have a GTX 770 4GB and notice a difference.

 

[omeds]

2GB is not enough for 1600p anymore imo, at least not in the most demanding games, or if you want to use mods, SSAA, transparency AA etc.

 

[Hdgamer]

I have a GTX 770 4GB and notice a difference.

Wait you have a 4 gig 770 and a 2 gig 770? What is this difference that you claim you notice?

 

[Hdgamer]

2GB is not enough for 1600p anymore imo, at least not in the most demanding games, or if you want to use mods, SSAA, transparency AA etc.

You would be suprised at how 90% of games at 1600p don't skyrocket when turning AA up.

Even at 1080p Metro 2033 going from no AA, 2XMSAA, and 4XMSAA I go from 800mb to 1200mb. At 1200mb on my 660ti I get stuttering like crazy and drops into the teens at times. This is not a "common" out of vram issue like you guys claim. Yet I see this all the time when turning AA up... Graphics cards don't have the horse power to push it. LOL

 

[Hdgamer]

The Witcher 2 I go from 800mb at 1080p to 1200mb at 1600p with everything cranked to max.

 

[Carfax83]

The Witcher 2 I go from 800mb at 1080p to 1200mb at 1600p with everything cranked to max.

The Witcher 2 is a 3 year old DX9 game, hardly the kind of game you want to use to bolster your argument.

Few games use over 2GB of VRAM right now, but the point is that it's an ongoing trend for developers to make use of VRAM for preloading and caching graphics data, and this can affect your gaming experience.

AC IV is another game that will use up to and over 2GB of VRAM at times, though not as consistently as Crysis 3 and BF4.

Games like the Witcher 3, Dragon Age Inquisition and Watch Dogs will undoubtedly use large amounts of VRAM due to their scale and open World design.

 

[selni]

Sure that 4gb card in the review is clocked EXACTLY the same as the 2 gb card? hmmmmmm.....

I dug up the review link:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...ews/62594-galaxy-gtx-770-gc-4gb-review-3.html

It's an interesting result, but it's also literally 1 datapoint on that chart at framerates that are unplayable anyway, so I'd be careful of reading too much into it - particularly given 3GB doesn't appear to help the 780/7970 there. The dip appears to be the effect that starts at 1:06 or so in the video - doesn't look like there'd be any reason to be swapping out GB of textures there?