I'm looking to buy a prebuilt gaming computer, but I'm seeing a lot of them come with 8GB GPUs. Are they really considered bad for gaming these days? I've heard mixed opinions and I'm not sure if I should avoid these models or if they can still perform well with current games.
5 Answers
If you're buying new components, steer clear of 8GB GPUs. However, if you're looking at used hardware, 8GB might be okay at the right price. Just keep in mind that there are newer games that can require at least 8GB VRAM.
It really depends on what games you plan to play. For esports titles or older games, 8GB isn’t a big deal. But if you're thinking of diving into new AAA titles, you might want something with more VRAM.
So are you saying something like Minecraft or older titles like Half-Life would be fine with 8GB?
For games from the last couple of years, 8GB is becoming the minimum. Newer titles could run into stuttering issues if you enable higher settings, mainly due to VRAM limits. If you can, aim for a 12GB GPU or more for better future proofing.
Yes, 8GB GPUs are starting to fall short, especially for modern games. We’re seeing games at 1080p push past 8GB of VRAM usage. While it might work okay for now, it's likely not a good investment if you want longevity. Avoiding 8GB models would be wise unless your budget forces you into it.
Which games are pushing VRAM that high?
Thanks for the advice! I'm on a tight budget, and most prebuilt systems I'm looking at have 8GB VRAM.
If you're on a tight budget, 8GB won't be the end of the world, but you should really consider saving up for a GPU with 12GB or more, especially since future games are likely to become even more demanding.
I recently got an RX 6600 for $125, and it outperformed my old 1650 Super. Would that be considered a decent choice?