I've been looking into two graphics cards, the 9070 XT and the 7900 XTX, and I've noticed they have similar performance. However, the 7900 XTX has 8GB more VRAM than the 9070 XT. I'm curious if modern games at 1440p really need more than 16GB of VRAM. I'm particularly interested because I plan to dive into a heavily modded Skyrim pack (Nolvus) that can spike VRAM usage to around 17-18GB. I'm not sure about other games and how much VRAM they typically use these days.
5 Answers
The 9070 XT is newer and more efficient, and honestly, 16GB of VRAM is usually enough for 1440p gaming right now.
VRAM is definitely key, especially for higher resolutions. However, both the 9070 XT and 7900 XTX should handle 1440p well for now. If you're only playing modded Skyrim, the XTX might be the better choice, but consider your future gaming needs too.
For 1440p gaming, VRAM is somewhat important, but both cards should perform well for the next 4-6 years. You can even do path tracing on 12GB cards, so 16GB gives you some breathing room.
Whether you'll need more VRAM largely depends on your game mods, especially if you're using ultra HD texture packs. But don’t forget to consider aspects like FSR4 and ray tracing performance too when making your decision.
Honestly, 16GB is a solid sweet spot for 1440p and should last you for at least the next five years. Most AAA titles, even with max settings, don't use close to 16GB, except maybe for 4K games. That Skyrim mod is a unique case, though.
Thanks for the reassurance! I’m leaning toward the 9070, but it’s good to know 16GB will work. I’m trying to balance performance and future-proofing.
I just modded Skyrim with 4K and 2K textures, and I'm seeing about 11GB VRAM in-game, spiking just over 12GB in taverns. So, while not extremely modded, it gives me a head’s up about VRAM usage.