Is 128mb of Vram ok for gaming now?

[dme92189]

Is 128mb of vram ok for gaming like hl2, doom3, fear, etc? I mean there are lots of 256 and some 512 cards out there, but I dont have the budget for one now, so is 256 really that necessary or will I be ok with 128? I will have good clock speeds and mem spped and pixel pipes etc, but my last concern is with VRam.
Thanks once again you all!
Dan

 

[sisq0kidd]

It should be ok depending what resolution.

 

[dme92189]

could vary, probably 1280x1024 or 1600x1200

 

[BenSkywalker]

At those resolutions the short answer is no- 128MB is not OK. For that matter, if you are budget limited those resolutions are realisticly out of the question(they require a higher end part). For older games you will be fine with 128MB- FEAR, COD2, BF2 and the like need 256MB for those settings with 512MB being a better bet in some instances(COD2 as an example).

 

[Away]

My 6600GT has 128MB and I run a majority of my games either at 1024x768 or 1280x1024. I notice a slowdown at the higher resolution, but than I do have the game settings set to there highest. It should be fine for a while though.

 

[sisq0kidd]

1280x1024 should be fine.

What is a concern to me though is I'm not sure any 128mb card out there can handle those games you mentioned at 1600x1200.

The fastest 128 mb card I know of is the 6800nu, which isn't exactly stellar in 1600x1200 resolutions and above.

Keep to 1280x1024 and you'll be fine.

 

[dme92189]

Ok thanks guys, my card I am buying is only for a short while anyway! Thanks!!

 

[BFG10K]

As an example with maximum texture levels Fear uses around 400 MB of video data so the short answer to your question is "no". Even 256 MB cards struggle in today's games.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
As an example with maximum texture levels Fear uses around 400 MB of video data so the short answer to your question is "no". Even 256 MB cards struggle in today's games.

While I agree with 128mb not being enough, there aren't many games like FEAR just yet. However if you're budget fits only for a card with 128mb then you're not going to get much from a 256mb card as you're going to be GPU limited anyways in terms of graphic detail and resolution.

 

[hans030390]

I have 128mb and it does great for me.

 

[dme92189]

Im just wondering if it is worth 30 more dollars to get an x800gto that has 256 as opposed to 30 dollars less for one with 128?

 

[ArchAngel777]

It really all depends on what you consider playable. Most casual gamers will typically use a resolution of 1024 X 768 or 1280 X 1024 and if you were to get a 6600GT with 128 megs of ram, you would be fine for 99% of games out there. You could probably even get away with higher resolution... But as first said, it really depends on what your definition of playability is... I mean, is 35 fps enough? 50? 75? Everyone has their preference. Since the card is only temporary, I would not sweat it much... Besides, what is 30 dollars? Pocket change, go with the 256 i'd say, unless it is only to tide you over for the next month or so...

My friend at work gets by with a GeForce3 Ti 500 for most games, I know it isn't much of card, but for him, it works great.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: dme92189
Im just wondering if it is worth 30 more dollars to get an x800gto that has 256 as opposed to 30 dollars less for one with 128?

Depends if you plan on OCing the gto and how long you plan to keep it. Even modern games would play ok at 10x7 or even 12x10 at medium settings without AA on a 128mb card. But an OC'd gto has plenty of gpu power to put 256mb to good use, and if you plan on keeping the card for more than 3-4 months then I'd spend a bit more on a 256mb model.

 

[dme92189]

Great guys, ill go with the 256 fireblade thanks everyone for your help!

 

[shiznit]

good decision. getting less than 256 meg video ram is not a good idea anymore, especially if you want to use high-res textures that most current and future games have.