VRAM usage in DCSW 3+screens

[Slayer]

I'm running 3 of the same screens at 1920x1080 with Nvidia Surround and my 2 old 480 GTX are maxed out on the Vram (1534 megs reported in use from each card in MSI afterburner)

 

DCS reports slightly less BUT i'm pretty sure the report from in game only include what is being used by the game and not accounting for the 254 megs being used by windows itself.

 

Battlefield 3 reports similar. I'm able to run Ultra settings on most items except the post processing AA modes which put it way over that and my framerats go down into single digits.

 

I just ordered a 680 GTX 2GB and am really hoping it's adequate. I didn't want to drop 1K on a 690 only to find that it's 2GB per card isn't enough. With SLI the VRAM does not combine to make 4GB of usable ram as they would lead you to believe, your effective ram is still only 2 GB.

 

I did some research... 1 680 GTX benchmarks about 5% slower than 2 480's in SLI so I don't really gain a whole lot in terms of performance but what I'm hoping is that I don't get the FPS drop off associated with running out of VRAM taking my FPS from about 45 down to 10.

 

Id also like to add in a 4th display to mount my TM MFD's on so Im hoping that extra 500 or so meg will let me do so.

 

I realize there are 4 gig cards and in another 6 months there will probably be a 780 GTX with more memory but I've waited long enough and I got a really good deal on the 680.

( kicking myself after I let 2 $ 600.00+ 4 GB 680's go on ebay for $450.00 each buy it now...)

 

Any feedback from other people using 3+ screens regarding their VRAM usage would be much appreciated. I'll update this post after I get the new card and do some performance tests.

[fzfq3m]

I'm running 3 of the same screens at 1920x1080 with Nvidia Surround and my 2 old 480 GTX are maxed out on the Vram (1534 megs reported in use from each card in MSI afterburner)

 

DCS reports slightly less BUT i'm pretty sure the report from in game only include what is being used by the game and not accounting for the 254 megs being used by windows itself.

 

Battlefield 3 reports similar. I'm able to run Ultra settings on most items except the post processing AA modes which put it way over that and my framerats go down into single digits.

 

I just ordered a 680 GTX 2GB and am really hoping it's adequate. I didn't want to drop 1K on a 690 only to find that it's 2GB per card isn't enough. With SLI the VRAM does not combine to make 4GB of usable ram as they would lead you to believe, your effective ram is still only 2 GB.

 

I did some research... 1 680 GTX benchmarks about 5% slower than 2 480's in SLI so I don't really gain a whole lot in terms of performance but what I'm hoping is that I don't get the FPS drop off associated with running out of VRAM taking my FPS from about 45 down to 10.

 

Id also like to add in a 4th display to mount my TM MFD's on so Im hoping that extra 500 or so meg will let me do so.

 

I realize there are 4 gig cards and in another 6 months there will probably be a 780 GTX with more memory but I've waited long enough and I got a really good deal on the 680.

( kicking myself after I let 2 $ 600.00+ 4 GB 680's go on ebay for $450.00 each buy it now...)

 

Any feedback from other people using 3+ screens regarding their VRAM usage would be much appreciated. I'll update this post after I get the new card and do some performance tests.

 

Well... I'm playing with a similar setup, 3x1080p monitors but on a GTX580 3GB... I haven't checked after updating to the latest version of DCS World but as far I can remember with settings almost maxed out the VRAM consumption was just slightly above of 2GB... 2.3GB if I'm not wrong.

 

I had to crank my i7 920 to 4.2Ghz though in order to get decent frame rates... see my sig for complete computer specifications.

 

I will check tonight and report how much ram is being used by my DCS Setup

 

regards

[Slayer]

Great thanks! I was afraid of that. Hard to tell how much more is needed when you are maxed out. I had heard 2.5GB but everyones settings and system is a little different.

 

Also are you using bezel correction it adds more pixels? I'm currently at 5880 x 1080

[SkateZilla]

2.46 GB on 6048x1080,

 

 

try disabling Aero for more VRAM.

[Slayer]

Well I finally recieved my EVGA 680 GTX SC and have done some tests. Maxed out is just about 2GB @5880x1080. I'm using MSI afterburner which shows total video mem in use and have it pinned to my logitech keyboard LCD. That leaves nearly nothing left.

 

Performance is still great though getting steady 60 FPS and sometimes drops to 45 with lots of explosions etc.

 

I'm thinking I should have gotten a 4GB card to run max settings.

 

On a side note the biggest way to lower VRAM usage seems to be to lower the preload radius slider. If I drop it from 150000 to 100000 the VRAM usage drops from nearly 2GB to 1800MB with no noticeable difference in graphics. I just like to play with max settings.

 

The performance is roughly equal to my 480GTX SLI setup except I have another 500MB of video mem to play with and it uses about half the wattage of the SLI setup. The 480's made it unbearable to play during the summer without running the AC nonstop. This new 680 hardly breaks a sweat, nor does it heat up the room anymore.

 

Was it worth it? to me it was...I got the card for cheap on ebay so when the new 4GB 780's hit next year I can resell this and not take a big loss.