bf 2 question

[BlitzCraig64]

I have heard that bf 2 actually runs faster with 2 GB of system memory than 1...even if you have 512MB of video ram. Why would this be? I assume this will be the same situation for BF 2142.

 

[Auric]

If true, one could presume programming err. Given a total capacity requirement of no more than 1.5GB to prevent performance degradation, 1GB system + 512MB video should naturally be superior to 2GB system. But even so, 'twouldn't necessarily "run faster" as in significant frame rates but rather be more playable due to smoothness from lack of "paging" to slow system RAM.

 

[Noema]

It won't run 'faster'. It'll just stutter less like Auric said.

As for the video ram...very few games take advantage of more than 256MB of RAM. VRAM is very rarely a limiting factor, as opposed to core clock, memory bandwidth, pipelines, pixel shaders, etc. Unless you were playing, say, Oblivion with some of the replacemement texture packs which are very high res, having more than 256MB of VRAM will not yield significant improvements in performance, for now at least.

 

[JBT]

The video ram only stores textures. It doesn't help with anything else. IE maps, other player locations, amounst other things that are stored in the system RAM. System RAM and Video ram are NOT interchangeable and do not deal with the same things.

 

[Auric]

Given 256MB VRAM, BF2 does not push total useage over 1GB system unless the high-resolution textures option is selected so I'm fairly sure what I said stands: the greater VRAM should be ideal but, again, perhaps 'twasn't programmed to make use of more than 256MB and thus must always "page". That would be a pity and it certainly would be interesting to get an answer from the developer.

The other, perhaps better, option is simply for anyone with a 512MB card and a clue to monitor VRAM useage with ATT or such.

Frankly, there's plenty o' BS on many a forum with users espousing the benefits of 2GB RAM regardless of whether it is actually utilized and confusing capacity with performance as if it were a CPU -due in large part to folk "wisdom" from ye olden days when there was never 'nuff RAM so adding more always "increased" performance (to repeat: actually reduced degradation).