I just built a new PC with an RTX 5080 and a Ryzen 7 7800X3D to use with my 1440p monitor. The upgrade has been amazing—playing games like Cyberpunk with path tracing at solid FPS feels incredible. I keep hearing that 16GB of VRAM might not be enough going forward, especially since many new GPUs, including AMD's, are also sporting 16GB. I recently played Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD2) at native 1440p and while I typically got around 90-100 FPS, I occasionally dropped down to 45-50 FPS, hitting around 15.5GB of VRAM usage. Cyberpunk uses about 12GB with path tracing, which seems manageable. Do you think 16GB will hold up for the next three years at 1440p? Is KCD2 an outlier with potential memory issues? I'm starting to feel anxious about rumored upcoming GPUs with 20-24GB VRAM—did I make the wrong choice, or should I be fine for a while?
5 Answers
Yeah, 16GB should work out fine, but remember that upscaling techniques like DLSS will optimize your performance quite a bit. Just try to keep up with the latest game engines and patches; they'll help a lot in the long run. Sometimes, the VRAM hype is just that—hype!
You might want to prepare for some heavy lifting with your GPU down the line. Just keep in mind, with tech evolving, waiting for a model with more than 16GB VRAM might be a smart move if longevity is your goal. But for now, with your 5080, you should be good right where you are.
You're good for at least the next 5 years! Even if 16GB becomes a bit limiting in the very demanding path tracing games, the vast majority of titles won't put much strain on it. I’m on a 4070 Ti Super, and I'm running everything at high settings without breaking a sweat. Just don't sweat the rumors about higher VRAM models too much.
Honestly, I think you're overthinking it a bit. The gaming community is moving to 1440p as a sweet spot, and developers know that. If a game requires a GPU with more than 16GB to play properly, it would cut out a huge chunk of players. Just expect some variations in performance, especially with high-demand titles—but you'll likely be just fine!
I think you'll be fine for the next few years. Most modern titles run well with 16GB, and it’s pretty normal for GPUs in the 5080 class to handle 1440p without issues. Just keep in mind that you might have to tweak settings down a bit for some of the heavier games. A lot of titles will still run perfectly fine without pushing the limits of your VRAM.
Thanks! That makes me feel better. I guess I'll just have to see how the next few years pan out.