Computer

These graphics cards are very cheap, but beware, they are still not such a good idea

When assembling a PC to play, the choice of graphics hardware is very important, however, we find that some manufacturers, in order to offer cheap models, cut back on its memory capacity, with detrimental effects on the performance of a PC. vast majority of games. That is why we are going to explain the reason why in 2023 you should stay away from graphics cards with 4 GB or less memory.

In games, raising the resolution not only means more pixels on the screen, but also that the memory necessary for it grows in the same way. Obviously and knowing this, nobody in their right mind is going to buy a 4 GB graphics card to play at 4K, the problem is that they start to be limited even when playing at 4K and for this we only have to see the recommended requirements in many games as an indication that they are not exactly the best option to play.

Why should you run away from 4 GB graphics cards?

Today, graphics cards use GDDR6 memory chips, which come in units of 1 or 2 GB each and with a 32-bit interface. So a 4 GB graphics card can either have a 64-bit bus connected to a pair of 2 GB chips, or be one with a 128-bit bus and have four 4 GB chips. The storage is the same, but the bandwidth in the first case is half, and because the GPUs depend heavily on said parameter for their performance.

And what is the problem? so what a card with a 64-bit data bus is not considered one for gaming and in the case of a 128-bit one it is seen as low-end. However, it is not just the issue of performance, but the fact that if we look at the recommended specifications of many games released in the last two years, we will see that the recommended graphics card in the requirements is more than 4 GB of capacity. What’s more, you just have to see how some games end up cutting their performance by double digits and with the same model, but differing only in the amount of video memory.

Although in old games or in the eSports style this is not a problem, you have to look at the graphics card specifications to see which GPU chip they have and to know the width of their interface. Remember that 4 GB graphics cards with a 64-bit bus are not for gaming and therefore you will end up wasting money if that is your goal. Since you will have to buy another one sooner rather than later.

Graphics Cards 4 GB Bus 128 bits

They are not used to broadcast on Twitch or YouTube

We also can’t forget if you like to stream games, then your GPU is going to need some of the video memory for video encoding and decoding tasks and not just for the visual information of the game. For what we do not recommend them for streaming, what’s more, if that is your objective, simply pass by when you see them in stores.

It is not that you will not be able to stream, it is that what the GPU will do is that due to lack of video memory it will access the main RAM, fighting for said resource with the system processor and causing a drop in performance for the entire system. Which can be fatal in a live broadcast, literally making them a bad buy.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *