If you happen to’re on the hunt for a brand new graphics card, you’re doubtless taking a look at clock charges, what number of shader cores, and the way a lot VRAM it’s packing. However don’t underestimate reminiscence bandwidth when procuring round because it can lead to sneaky efficiency impacts.
There’s a information bus connection between the GPU and the graphics reminiscence which is chargeable for information transport, this is named a GPU’s reminiscence bandwidth. If the bandwidth is inadequate, a bottleneck happens: the GPU can’t work effectively as a result of information is supplied too slowly.
The reminiscence bandwidth is laid out in gigabits or gigabytes per second. It is dependent upon the reminiscence kind (akin to GDDR6 or GDDR7), the clock price, and the width of the info bus. The next bandwidth improves the efficiency of the cardboard, as information flows sooner between the graphics chip and reminiscence. A excessive bandwidth is especially necessary for top resolutions akin to 4K, which characterize 4 occasions extra pixels than 1080p.
Even at decrease resolutions, high-resolution textures or graphics-intensive options akin to ray tracing can nonetheless make heavy calls for on the reminiscence bandwidth. Moreover, the quite a few processors and cores on fashionable GPUs should be constantly provided with information. A bottleneck in information switch subsequently impacts the general efficiency of the graphics card.
Restricted bandwidth typically manifests itself in stuttering and fluctuating body charges. Knowledge switch shortly reaches its limits, particularly at excessive body charges of 120 or 240 frames per second. A body limiter can assist by adapting the body price to the accessible bandwidth although.
Digital actuality functions additionally require a excessive reminiscence bandwidth as a result of the GPU has to calculate a separate, high-resolution picture with not less than 90 frames per second for every eye. Ray tracing additional will increase the bandwidth requirement. On this case, further brightness information must be transferred for real-time calculation.
In comparison with the graphics reminiscence of the GDDR6 technology, the 7 collection – right here from Micron – is designed for considerably larger reminiscence bandwidths.
Micron
Graphics playing cards are sometimes optimized for particular goal resolutions and element ranges. For instance, fashions from Nvidia’s XX60 collection are aimed toward 1080p avid gamers, whereas higher-class playing cards are designed for 1440p or Extremely HD. Inside a collection, the accessible bandwidth differs primarily within the width of the reminiscence bus.
Entry-level playing cards typically use a 128-bit bus, whereas high-end fashions are outfitted with 256 or extra bits. In case you are aiming for larger resolutions or body charges, you need to go for a graphics card with a excessive reminiscence bandwidth. The definition of what’s thought of “excessive” modifications with technological progress.
A couple of years in the past, 1080p was nonetheless thought of the premium customary, whereas it’s now often thought to be the entry degree. Benchmark assessments present a priceless information to check the efficiency of various graphics playing cards at totally different settings. They assist to acknowledge potential bandwidth bottlenecks and choose the correct card in your wants.
Subsequent time you’re out there for a brand new GPU, be sure you pay shut consideration to the reminiscence bandwidth on prime of all the things else. It’ll enable you keep away from potential purchaser’s regret to concentrate to this sort of technical information when shopping for a graphics card, or take a look at it your self if potential.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
