VRAM vs RAM: The Differences Between These Two – 2024 – Volatile Memory Storage

Getting confused between the RAM and VRAM is very common, and there’s nothing to be ashamed about it! Since more and more people are concerned about this, I have decided to write a whole article on the topic.

The most general thing is that the RAM is the traditional temporary volatile memory storage for any computer, and the VRAM can be found primarily on expert gamer’s computers.

So, VRAM vs RAM: what are the differences? Basically, RAM is the memory storage your computer needs to operate the programs and operating system efficiently. On the other hand, VRAM is a type of RAM designed to be dedicated to graphics data.

In this article, I am going to give you details about what a RAM or VRAM is and what makes these two different from each other.

What Is RAM?

Short for Random Access Memory, RAM is an essential accessory of the Central Processing Unit found inside your computer. This is mainly primary storage, where your computer saves and stores programs and other relevant information executed by it.

You can also call it a temporary store for operational data of your PC and holds exchanged data from external memory. Now, your RAM size and efficiency can significantly impact your computer’s entire performance.

Hence, the more RAM you have, the more data your computer can hold. Subsequently, your PC will get faster with C16 Vs C18 RAM.

So, if I try to say it briefly, the CPU sends the data that requires to be operated into the RAM for use and then sends the results back into the hard drive after the operation is completed.

What Is VRAM?

You must have guessed by the name that VRAM is a type of RAM short for “Video RAM.” It’s mainly used to store graphics data. You know how the animations and graphics have increased nowadays, whether that’s a video game or a movie.

It’s all because of the VRAM. A VRAM helps your computer work with complex and challenging graphics quickly and efficiently. These VRAMs are also crucial if you work for pictures-related areas like an architect or augmented reality. Working with 2D and 3D is not very difficult with this unique VRAM technology.

Now, VRAM comes in various types, and you need to have a good idea about them to differentiate appropriately.

Multibank Dynamic RAM (MDRAM): This high-performance VRAM separates the memory into several 32-kilobyte banks that you can access individually. It enables your PC to access the data concurrently to improve the overall performance.

Rambus Dynamic RAM (RDRAM): This type of VRAM consists of a proprietary bus to speed up the information and data flow from the VRAM to the frame budder and vice versa.

Synchronous Graphics RAM (SGRAM): This one is a modern standard for VRAM and a clock synchronized DRAM. Though this is a single-ported memory, it acts like a dual-ported memory by opening two memory pages simultaneously. You can find this in the modern graphics cards, to names GDDR5.

Window RAM (WRAM): This dual-ported high-performance VRAM works with 25% more bandwidth than the regular VRAM. However, it’s less costly than the other VRAM available.

VRAM Vs RAM: Learn The Differences

The RAM is a very general term of the PC memory that includes VRAM in it. RAM is what you need to load your operating system or run various types of programs. Every instant action you have to operate on your desktop is stored in the RAM.

A VRAM is nothing different except dedicated to graphic data storing. The more VRAM you have, the more high-quality graphics you will have. Also, many VRAM like 4 GB VRAM will improve things like physics emulation, frame rate, texture qualities, and rendering. Your GPU’s efficiency increases at a great point.

So, in brief, while RAM leads everything from the operating system to the program running, VRAM is responsible for making the graphics on your PC more high quality and effective.

How Much RAM Do I Need?

The difference between RAM and VRAM can vary highly on the amount we need to have an excellent performance on our PC. The minimum amount should be at least 8 GB when it comes to RAM, which is necessary to run all the regular programs and tasks without getting interrupted or the quality getting compromised.

Now, if you need heavy and high resource-intensive programs quite frequently, you might want to switch to 4GB RAM. This will also allow you to handle high graphics games.

However, many professionals suggest that putting money into RAM might not be an excellent idea. Instead, it would be best to increase the graphics card to get better performance since highly professionals who work with 3D modeling or video editing need a RAM of at least 32 GB.

How to increase RAM

There are a few things you can do to increase the amount of RAM on your computer. One is to add more physical memory to your machine. This can be done by installing additional memory modules in your computer’s memory slots. Another way to increase RAM is to use a utility that allows you to create a virtual RAM drive.

This will give you the appearance of having more RAM without actually adding any physical hardware. Finally, you can try using memory-optimization software which can help to increase the amount of available RAM on your system by compressing and caching data.

And How Much VRAM Do I Need?

If you are a professional-level gamer, you are bound to have a high-quality graphics card with a good amount of VRAM. If your games display only 720p resolution, 4GB VRAM will be more than enough. Let me give you a nice chart for this:

So, choosing anything from 4 GB to 8 GB will give you a super relaxed time with the games. However, you should know that most games tend to have an upgraded version each year, and the graphics processing requirements just get higher every year. So, you might want to take 12 GB at once to be tension-free for the next decade!

How to increase VRAM

There are a few things you can do to increase the amount of VRAM on your graphics card. One is to simply upgrade to a better card. If your current card doesn’t have much VRAM, it might be worth upgrading to one that does.

Another option is to overclock your card. This can be done by increasing the clock speed of the GPU or memory. Doing this can improve performance and also increase VRAM usage. Finally, you can try changing your display resolution. A higher resolution will require more VRAM, but it can also make games look better.

5 Amazing Facts For Your RAM’s Better Performance

If any of these scenarios don’t apply to your computer, look at the following information before making any purchases for more RAM.

Processor and Graphics Card

Is your CPU regularly overtaxed whether you’re running several apps or playing a range of video games? Before blaming the CPU, play a few games and see whether this is constant.

Some games are more dependent on the CPU than others.

As a last resort for short on funds, overclocking the components may be an option. There are disadvantages to this approach, such as the loss of warranty coverage, increased power consumption, and a possible reduction in the lifespan of the CPU and dedicated GPU.

Still, if you have an older PC that you can’t afford to buy a new one, overclocking is a built-in improvement and maybe the best option.

Is XMP support available?

DIY desktop PC builders may not be getting the most out of the RAM they already have installed. Almost everyone who builds their PCs has at least attempted this. It’s possible to enable an eXtreme Memory Profile in the motherboard BIOS settings (XMP). Instead of DOCP, you could see if an AMD CPU powers your PC gaming or for gaming performance.

Intel’s XMP technology is a tool for overclocking. But if you don’t change any settings in the BIOS, the RAM will operate at its rated speed rather than at the slower default level.

Test The Speeds

It’s not as straightforward as swapping out the hard drive or graphics card to increase the RAM on your PC. You must choose the correct kind (current motherboards use DDR4) and speed to ensure that it is compatible with your computer’s motherboard.

As a last note, if you’re maintaining an existing RAM module and installing a new one, both must be at the same speed. Even yet, some individuals prefer to utilize two identical RAM sticks rather than mix and match, just in case. Remember to look at your computer’s memory speed before upgrading to higher RAM.

Look For Bottlenecks

Checking your system’s performance should reveal whether a lack of RAM is to blame for the problems you’re experiencing. To get the advanced view, launch Windows 10’s Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, and then clicking “More information.”. On the Performance tab, choose “Memory” and then click “Apply.”

Get a Solid-State Drive

Other options are available if your RAM isn’t the problem. It’s best to replace your PC’s hard disk with a solid-state drive (SSD). It doesn’t matter how much RAM you add; upgrading from a hard drive to an SSD is still the best upgrade for a PC.

Even with an older SATA III SSD, such as the Samsung 860 Evo, increases in responsiveness and overall performance. If the motherboard supports NVMe SSDs, the performance gains will be more apparent.

Compatible Motherboards And RAM Modules

Due to the restricted number of dual in-line memory module slots (DIMM slots) on the motherboard, the amount of RAM your computer can hold is also determined by the RAM itself.

The DDR form factor is used to standardize computer RAM modules. Motherboards support just one, and the age of your motherboard mainly determines it. For desktop PCs, the most prevalent models are:

DDR5 SDRAM, which is expected to hit the market in the first quarter of 2024, has several speed upgrades over the previous standard that will significantly influence intensive activities like video editing and encoding, computer-aided design, and scientific computing.

Double Data Rate Kind Three Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR3 SDRAM) – This type of memory is found in computers manufactured between 2007 and 2015.

PCs built after 2015 use DDR4 SDRAM (Double Data Rate Fourth-Generation Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory).

Most workstations produced between 2003 and 2007 still use DDR2 SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory), which is now mostly outdated.

Graphics Options And VRAM Utilization

Here are the graphics settings that use the most memory.

The resolution is now the most resource-intensive parameter, although this is likely to change in the future. Increases in VRAM or dedicated video memory utilization may be seen when changing the resolution from 1080p to 1440p and 4K.

Since most graphics cards come with 8 GB of GDDR6 RAM, reducing particular graphics settings to free up VRAM is nearly unnecessary.

With an older GPU or one that comes at a lower price point, you may find that the texture resolution is the most memory-intensive option. Reducing the texture quality may cut VRAM requirements or its utilization and improve overall performance if your graphics card is running short on memory.

In open-world games, the LOD distance could also have a role. Some anti-aliasing settings, such as SSAO, use less VRAM, although the GPU is often more resource-intensive.

How VRAM is Boosted?

VRAM (virtual memory) is a piece of system RAM stick used by integrated GPUs or graphics cards (such as Intel HD Graphics). The processor or CPU is already pre-installed on this GPU. For the most part, however, an integrated graphics card is more than enough, even while running demanding games.

We will increase the amount of RAM devoted entirely to VRAM, which implies that the allotted VRAM will rise as a result of these activities. Your computer’s intel HD graphics VRAM will be increased as a result. Follow the steps in the following sections to upgrade your video GDDR RAM chips and virtual memory (VRAM) for higher resolution.

If you want to improve performance, we recommend that you also increase the RAM capacity in addition to the VRAM.

In Bios And Registry Editor, How To Boost Vram?

VRAM may be increased in two simple ways. How can you boost the dedicated video RAM or memory when it comes to intel HD graphics? Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. Using the Registry Editor or the BIOS, you have a few options.

Increasing VRAM in the BIOS of Your Computer

The BIOS menu may be accessed in a variety of ways. Press the Delete key repeatedly while turning on your computer. F2 and F10 are more options to consider. VRAM may be changed in the BIOS by accessing the Graphics Configuration options in the Advanced tab of the BIOS menu.

The DVMT pre-allocated option, or something similar, should be available here. You may specify the amount of virtual memory ( like GPU VRAM) in megabytes with this setting. Afterward, save the settings and quit. Once the machine has been restarted, you may check the Display Settings, and you should notice an increase in your VRAM.

By Use Of The Registry Editor

If you don’t want to or can’t locate the appropriate choices in your BIOS, you may use the Registry Editor that comes with Windows to make the necessary changes. The shortcut to Run is Windows key + R. Enter Regedit by typing it in and pressing Enter. You may also use Windows’ built-in search to find it.

This location may also be entered into the registry search field. Create a new key by clicking on Intel and selecting New>Key. The “GMM” key should be renamed. Under Intel, you’ll see the GMM key.

Dedicated Segment Size should be the new value’s name, so right-click on it and give it that name. Then double-click it and enter the desired new VRAM size in megabytes as a decimal number, and click OK. Select “Decimal” and enter 512 to get 512MB of VRAM.

To apply the changes, restart your computer after closing the Registry Editor. You may verify your new VRAM after rebooting.

Some More Quires About VRAM vs RAM

Is VRAM better than RAM?

VRAM saves images, while RAM stores temporary system files. Distinctive graphics cards’ VRAM is non-replaceable; however, RAM can usually be swapped or improved. Although video memory is far quicker than system memory, most users have more system memory than they have VRAM.

Can RAM be used as VRAM?

Random-access memory (Static RAM), known as VRAM (like visual DDR4 RAM), is used to store images for computer displays. Video games and 3D graphic design programs both often make VRAM usage. VRAM (video random access memory) is a sort of dynamic RAM that may be arranged in various ways (DRAM).

Is 4GB of VRAM enough?

In 2024, graphics cards should have at least 4 GB of dedicated VRAM. However, 8 GB is currently the norm on most GPUs, so if you plan on obtaining a 1440p or 4K display shortly, you should aim for that.

How do I dedicate more RAM to VRAM?

To get more video RAM, you need either upgrade your graphics card or buy a new one. A separate graphics card (even one of the top budget cache graphics cards) can improve your visual output significantly if you’re currently utilizing integrated graphics.

Is 8GB VRAM overkill?

In terms of performance, there is no such thing as too much VRAM. In most games, 8GB of VRAM is enough to run smoothly at HD and 4K resolutions. No, it depends on the kind of ram and 8 gn VRAM or gaming video card you’re running.

Does increasing VRAM increase FPS?

One of the minor critical features of a graphics data setup is the amount of VRAM available. It doesn’t affect your gameplay as long as you have enough of it to keep your framerate over 10FPS.

Conclusion:

So, there goes everything you need to know about VRAM vs RAM. Though these two do different things, they are still in the same category, and the VRAM is a kind of RAM.

Now, no matter whatever amount of RAM or VRAM you choose, you can always add extra to it. SO, please purchase a significant amount beforehand so you won’t have to count every time the technology upgrades.

I hope this article can cover everything you need to know and give you a clear idea about the differences between RAM and VRAM.