A Question about GPU RAM

[Coswar]

So I have a question here and I'll try not to sound too stupid : If my 7950 has 3GB of dedicated memory, why does a game need to use my normal RAM at all? I can't see it using up all that 3GB , or does it?

Anyone in the know wanna show me the light?

[Markyod]

The GPU memory is for textures, pixels and shit.

[rustikles]

In short, VRAM is the RAM that comes on a graphics card, which is utilized to render visual object. SDRAM is used by your system for a wide variety of things: programs, OS functions, etc. The game needs "normal RAM" as you call it, for a lot of the game workload that isn't necessarily visual.

[Guest GRRigger]

game isnt loaded on gpu

[Coswar]

In short, VRAM is the RAM that comes on a graphics card, which is utilized to render visual object. SDRAM is used by your system for a wide variety of things: programs, OS functions, etc. The game needs "normal RAM" as you call it, for a lot of the game workload that isn't necessarily visual.

I do know what RAM is, I just didn't understand why it wasn't used for all of the files , seeing as it's much faster than ordinary RAM. And thank you for clearing that up for me

[Cwazywazy]

I do know what RAM is, I just didn't understand why it wasn't used for all of the files , seeing as it's much faster than ordinary RAM. And thank you for clearing that up for me

Because the VRAM is made to work with the GPU, not the CPU. Normal RAM is made to work with the CPU, but not the GPU.

 

Besides, faster RAM only gives you like 1-2 FPS more. (That's going from like 1333MHz to 1800MHz)

[Coswar]

Because the VRAM is made to work with the GPU, not the CPU. Normal RAM is made to work with the CPU, but not the GPU.

 

Besides, faster RAM only gives you like 1-2 FPS more. (That's going from like 1333MHz to 1800MHz)

Ok, ty  

[lachyman]

VRAM - fast memory designed to save pixels generated by the GPU, made to quickly load it and send to the monitor

RAM - classic system memory working as a resource for the CPU, but this works with "imaginary" things that CPU does, in games it's for example bullet trajectory, damage, player movement etc.

VRAM technology (GDDR5) can't be used as classic system memory because it's made primarily for GPU's, while the current DDR3 is versatile and ideal for classic RAM usage, it's too slow for a GPU since things need to be loaded and dumped extremely fast.