What would you answer to the following question: How much video memory should a graphics card have at least in 2022? I have a strong guess, but first I want you to take part in the appropriate survey as impartially as possible:
My tip: Most will choose 8.0 GB. So far, all new graphics cards from AMD (RX 6000) and Nvidia (RTX 3000), including the new ones on the CES 2022 Set the announced Geforce RTX 3050 to at least 8.0 GB.
AMD steps out of line: The situation is different with the RX 6500 XT from AMD, which is also being presented at CES. It only has half as much video memory to offer. However, what at first glance no longer seems up-to-date in 2022 could turn out to be the exact opposite.
Little VRAM as protection against miners
Like AMD in one Interview with PC World confirmed, the decision was made to use this amount of memory due to the high demand for graphics cards from miners. Here is what Vice President Laura Sm ith said about the RX 6500 XT:
We’ve really tweaked this model to be Gaming First
will be. […] Also the 4.0 GB video memory, which is really a good amount for most triple-A games, but it is not particularly attractive if you want to do blockchain or mining activities.
As a resolution, AMD has Full HD in mind, as shown by the graphics published at the CES on the expected performance. When it comes to the amount of memory, it should not be a coincidence that AMD does not speak of maximum, but of high details:
However, neither the graphic nor the information in the appendix shows whether the RX 570 selected as an opponent from 2017 was used in the 4.0 or 8.0 GB version. The second opponent, the GTX 1650, is only available with 4.0 GB of VRAM.
The RX 6500 XT is slated for release on January 19th, and the official price is 199 US dollars. So we will soon be able to test how big the disadvantage of only 4.0 GB VRAM will be in 2022 – and above all see whether this measure on the part of AMD really helps in the fight against poor availability and prices that are far too high.
What do you think of AMD’s approach to video memory in the RX 6500 XT? A sensible step, even before the release of the gaming coffin nail for the new graphics card or something in between? Feel free to write it in the comments!
