The Difference Between VRAM and RAM
You may have heard the terms VRAM and RAM before, but do you know what they are? These two computer components work together to power your gaming experience.
VRAM is a high-speed, high-capacity memory that stores the most recent images a person sees. RAM stores all the information that makes up an application or program to run smoothly without lag.
This article will discuss what each type of memory does, how it’s used, and why you would need more than one type if you are running graphics-intensive software like Adobe Premiere Pro or games like The Witcher 3.
What Is VRAM?
VRAM is a type of memory that is used specifically for graphics processing. It stands for “Video RAM” and refers to the dedicated video memory on your graphics card. This memory is used to store textures, frames, and other data related to graphics processing.
When it comes to gaming or any other task that requires intensive use of your graphics card, VRAM is key. The more VRAM you have, the better your performance will be.
When you’re looking at something on your screen, VRAM is responsible for keeping track of all the different colors and pixels that make up that image.
What Is RAM?
RAM is a type of memory that your system uses to store and access data. It stands for “Random Access Memory,” and it’s not dedicated like VRAM; instead, RAM stores temporary information when you run a program or an application.
When you turn on your computer, the operating system and all of your programs are loaded into RAM.
This is why it’s essential for computers with intensive graphics to have enough memory to process everything smoothly without lag time—since most applications rely heavily on RAM when they startup.
When programs need additional space to work properly, they can make use of the extra RAM on your system. So, the more RAM you have, the better it is for multitasking and running multiple applications at once.
RAM is also important for gaming but lesser than VRAM. Most games don’t require as much RAM as they do VRAM to run properly.
However, if you have a lot of applications open while you’re playing, then you may start to see some lag or slowdown.
This is because your system is using RAM to store data for those applications, and it’s taking away from the amount of RAM that’s available for the game.
How Do They Differ From Each Other?
RAM is the temporary type of storage that stores data and programs that are in use. When a program or any other process on your computer needs more RAM for its operation, it will take some available memory from the computer’s random access memory (which is what “RAM” stands for).
VRAM, on the other hand, doesn’t work as a substitute for RAM but rather complements it. VRAM is explicitly used for graphics processing and can be very helpful when you’re working with complex images.
Why Does This Matter to Gamers?
When it comes to gaming, you want as much VRAM and RAM as possible. This is because games can use up a lot of your computer’s resources, and the more VRAM and RAM you have, the better performance you’ll get.
For example, if you’re playing a game that requires a high level of graphics, having more VRAM will help ensure a smooth and lag-free gaming experience.
However, keep in mind that just because your computer has a lot of VRAM or RAM doesn’t mean it will be able to run games at the highest possible settings.
Your processor and graphics card also play a role in gaming performance, so if you’re looking to upgrade your computer for better gaming, make sure to consider all of its specs.
How Can I Tell if My Computer Has Enough VRAM or RAM?
If you want to check how much VRAM or RAM your computer has, there are a few ways to do it. One is to open up the System Information window on your computer.
To do this, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type msinfo32, and hit Enter. Another way is to use a third-party program like CPU-Z.
Once you have the information, you can decide if you need to upgrade your computer’s VRAM or RAM. If you feel laggy or your games are having trouble running at high settings, it might be time to invest in some new hardware.
In addition, if your computer feels slow opening multiple apps and programs simultaneously, you might need more RAM to keep everything running smoothly.
Is 4GB VRAM Enough?
It depends on the game or application and your computer’s other specs. Some games may only require a few hundred megabytes of VRAM, while others may need up to four gigabytes or more.
Video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro requires a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and 2 GB of VRAM.
You can usually find the recommended amount of VRAM for a game or application on the game’s store page or its official website. If you’re not sure how much VRAM your computer has, you can check using the methods described in the article.
If you find that you’re regularly running out of VRAM or RAM, then upgrading to a higher amount might be a good idea.
However, if your computer already has a lot of VRAM and RAM, it’s unlikely that adding more will make a significant difference in your gaming performance.
In that case, you might want to focus on upgrading other components of your computer instead. For example, if your processor is outdated, it could be a good place to start.
Can RAM Affect FPS?
Yes, RAM can affect FPS. The more and fast RAM you have, the more processes of data your computer can run at once.
RAM frequency is also a factor. If you have low-frequency RAM and want to increase your FPS, overclocking your RAM can be a solution.
However, if your RAM is running too hot while gaming, it might be best to leave the overclocking to someone with more experience.
2666mhz RAM should be enough for most gamers. Nonetheless, if you’re looking to upgrade your computer for better gaming performance, it might be a good idea to consider upgrading to a higher frequency RAM such as 3600mhz.
Conclusion
RAM and VRAM are both necessary for the performance of your computer. However, they serve different purposes.
RAM is used to run programs that you’re currently working with, while VRAM is specifically designed for graphics processing. If you want a smooth gaming experience or high-quality video editing software, it’s best to ensure your computer has enough RAM and VRAM available, so it doesn’t slow down when these tasks come up.
For more information on how much memory your computer needs to play games at their highest settings, check out the game’s store page or official website before upgrading anything else!
