Would you buy a 4 GB graphics card in 2022?

[sith'ari]

........... 4GB cards will be much cheaper as long as the supply of them remains equal to that of the 8GB cards.

Check the prices for the 4GB models : https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rx550x+4...prefix=rx550,aps,269&ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank
a very low-end GPU such as the RX550 4GB starts from ... 249.99$ which is the msrp that nVIDIA set for the RTX3050 8GB (EDIT : my mistake . i saw an RX550 @220$ , but still very high price for such a GPU!!)
Despite what many people are claiming (that the 4GB cards are not wanted by miners , thus their prices will be low ) amazon prices says otherwise ....

 

[Chrispy_]

Check the prices for the 4GB models : https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gtx1650super&s=price-asc-rank&page=2&crid=3R56N080TGFT6&qid=1641743030&sprefix=gtx1650,aps,178&ref=sr_pg_2
a very low-end GPU such as the RX550 4GB starts from ... 249.99$ which is the msrp that nVIDIA set for the RTX3050 8GB !!
Despite what many people are claiming (that the 4GB cards are not wanted by miners , thus their prices will be low ) amazon prices says otherwise ....

Did you just compare street price on one side to MSRP on the other side? I think you did!
Need I remind you that you cannot pick up an RTX 3080 for $699, nor can you buy an RX 6800 for $579.

Prices are high across the whole sector because demand from miners creates extra demand for the rest of the cards, even those the miners don't want. Where you will see big differences is in equivalent performing models with both 4GB and 8GB variants, or 3GB and 6GB variants. Just look at ebay sold listings of RX480, RX570, RX580, GTX 1060 - all of those had variants that straddle either side of the Ethereum DAG limit (5.5GB) and there are big differences in price despite there being small differences in performance.

 

[Tetras]

Check the prices for the 4GB models : https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rx550x+4gb&s=price-asc-rank&crid=37RAF1GIPGW93&qid=1641743429&sprefix=rx550,aps,269&ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank
a very low-end GPU such as the RX550 4GB starts from ... 249.99$ which is the msrp that nVIDIA set for the RTX3050 8GB (EDIT : my mistake . i saw an RX550 @220$ , but still very high price for such a GPU!!)
Despite what many people are claiming (that the 4GB cards are not wanted by miners , thus their prices will be low ) amazon prices says otherwise ....

AMD claim that the 6500 will have very high volumes, far more than past releases, so it's possible that it will make a difference. But, I agree with you, < 8GB cards are still in short supply and overpriced, with the possible exception of GT 1030s with DDR4.

 

[sith'ari]

Did you just compare street on one side to MSRP on the other side? I think you did.

Need I remind you that you cannot pick up an RTX 3080 for $699, nor can you buy an RX 6800 for $579.

My comment wasn't meant to compare prices.
It was made for countering the argument that is being said that the price of a 4GB card will be low due to the fact that miners won't want it.
And i pointed out that one of the weakest 4GB models out there (RX550) has an actual price that matches the theoretical price of a much newer GPU (RTX3050 8GB)
That's what i meant with my comment

 

[Chrispy_]

My comment wasn't meant to compare prices.
It was made for countering the argument that is being said that the price of a 4GB card will be low due to the fact that miners won't want it.
And i pointed out that one of the weakest 4GB models out there (RX550) has an actual price that matches the theoretical price of a much newer GPU (RTX3050 8GB)
What's what i meant with my comment

Understood. The price of a 4GB card in 2022 will not be low. It will merely be lower.
All cards will, most likely, remain at 2x-3x their MSRP for some time.

I would love to be wrong, that's the best possible outcome, but realistically I think that after the "launch wave" of cards at a fixed price have been sold, the street price of even the 6500XT and 4GB 3050 will rise far above their MSRPs.

If a 4 GB, affordable GPU is a thing, then I do not see the problem as long as it meets one's needs. That said, 199 USD price point for the RX 6500 XT is very high as it stands. This should be a $99 GPU in any era other than the cryptocurrency and NFT scam one.

Current prices are about 2x-3x what they were before the ETH mining boom really kicked into a higher gear last winter. A $199 price today is about comparable to a $99 GPU in any other era. It will go back down to $99 as soon as all mining is banned and successfully halted worldwide, as soon as the component shortages are resolved, as soon as the global economy returns to normal, as soon as the US-China trade war that imposes massive tarriffs each way on components required to make a GPU, and as soon as you reverse several years of inflation.

Do all of that, and we get our $99 entry-level GPUs back again, simples! \o/

 

[AsRock]

No, 8GB is just enough for me to even play RDR, and if i was able to get one i would try to get one with more than 8GB never mind 4GB.

 

[Chrispy_]

No, 8GB is just enough for me to even play RDR, and if i was able to get one i would try to get one with more than 8GB never mind 4GB.

I have played RDR2 on a 2GB GTX 960 with graphics settings on medium; It looked pretty reasonable to me and my 3060Ti runs it nicely too but I'm not sure I'd call the experience vastly different between medium and ultra.

I guess it depends what you're expecting but I genuinely don't think anyone buying the cheapest GPU in the product range is expecting to be able to crank graphics settings up to the maximum. Entry level parts are all about getting the best experience for your money and ultra settings have never been about efficiently using more affordable hardware - not even close.

What I expect from an entry-level card is a mainstream console experience or better, and in the case of RDR2 and a PS5, that's 2K (specifically 1920x2160 rather than 2560x1440) locked to 30fps and running settings that are equivalent to a medium/high mix on PC.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I would if I was building a computer for someone that does no gaming like my parents, if I couldn't get a CPU with a iGPU.

 

[Liquid Cool]

I voted yes. 4GB's is just fine for my needs. Although, that purchase would have to be in the used market. I stopped purchasing new cards many many years ago.

Although, I'm going to be watching for the AM5 APU release reviews before considering any used graphics card purchases.

Why?

Because I am seriously considering foregoing any more graphics card purchases for the remainder of my life.

As I mentioned many times...I sold all of my graphics cards at multiples of what I purchased them for in the last year and I have been sitting on the cash from the sale of the cards to plow back in to newer/better cards when I feel graphics card pricing has corrected enough to make this a feasible solution. The process of price correction is well underway and about to accelerate.

Although...after using my Ryzen 5 5600g for awhile now. I'm realizing that "for my own needs" the CPU portion of this APU is more than enough and the GPU portion only needs about 20-25% more boost in order for me to just forego purchasing another graphics card ever again.

As mentioned...I'm going to be watching the AM5 release closely. I may just use my little pile of cash to upgrade my whole platform instead of wasting any more money on graphics cards.

Again. Why?

Because to these old eyes...900p on a 27 inch monitor with Ultra settings in Skyrim is nothing short of immersive Nirvana.

I'd like to repeat this in a few of the newer AAA titles I own...RDNA 2 might just get me there. For now...720p it is...and that is perfectly fine.

Going forward. I believe my future lies in a convergence of APU's, the Steam Deck, and Open Source phones.

All three of these platforms have a bright future, but none so bright as high end graphics cards.

You know what I'm talking about? You'll be able to rent them to play the latest titles within the guidelines of your monthly service and they'll be cheaper than buying them outright.

You'll own nothing...and be happy.

Right?

Best Regards,

Liquid Cool

 

[cvaldes]

"Would you buy a 4 GB graphics card in 2022?"

Absolutely. However I have more than one Windows PC and I don't game on all of them. My daily (Windows) driver currently sports a Radeon RX 550 2GB card (purchased in September 2020 for $65 new, below the $79 launch price); I'm typing this response on this system. I'd be happy to replace it with a 4GB card; it really just needs to drive a 4K monitor.

I'm happy to use a wimpy GPU to save electricity. No need to surf the Internet and answer e-mails on my gaming build sporting a 3080 Ti.

That said, the MSRP for a 3050 should really be around $149.

 

[QUANTUMPHYSICS]

4GB is absolutely not enough. You need like a minimum of 6GB.

I have a 3050Ti 4GB in my Asus Tuf A15. It seems capable of running games in 1080p at or above 30fps.

But of course, my Desktop has a 3090FTW3 and it's more than ready for anything.

 

[Lionheart]

Yes I would for the right price, $100 MSRP for RX 570/580 GTX 1060 3GB/6GB like performance, in a normal GPU market.

 

[pf100]

I could definitely make a 4gb card work in the current market where an 8 gb card will be twice the price of a 4gb.

 

[lemoncarbonate]

voted yes as long as the price is right.

And it's proven that higher VRAM =/= better performance (I'm talking about RTX 2060 12GB).

Not everyone needs 8-24GB VRAM, some people are happy with just the right amount of VRAM and well priced hardware.
I also think that it's not worth at all to add extra VRAM in a GPU that won't perform any higher that it is.
If a GPU is already delivering its maximum performance with 4GB VRAM, why bother adding more? It just adds unnecessary cost resulting in more expensive hardware.

So I think for low to mid low GPU market, 4 GB is still a very good option. People who're buying in this range usually put price/budget over everything else, unlike those who're buying in high-end market.

 

[watzupken]

AMD has just announced the Radeon RX 6500 XT 4 GB, and NVIDIA is rumored to have a GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB in addition to the 8 GB variant that was announced.

What do you think, is 4 GB enough for 1080p gaming and would you spend your money for such a graphics card?

Nothing wrong with 4GB if the price is right and it meets one's need. The problem is always going to be the price. While AMD announced this card at USD 199, the chances of seeing it at MSRP is very slim. For such a cut down card, not just from the VRAM perspective, I certainly cannot recommend paying a single cent more than MSRP. As for Nvidia's RTX 3050, I will certainly cost quite a lot more than MSRP because most people prefers Nvidia cards, allowing AIB partners to jack up their own MSRP by a substantial margin. The card will certainly be a lot more future proof than the RX 6500 XT with the VRAM and higher memory bus speed.

 

[seth1911]

I'm happy to use a wimpy GPU to save electricity. No need to surf the Internet and answer e-mails on my gaming build sporting a 3080 Ti.

If u want save electricity then buy a notebook

A funny thing is:
most of the people they comment here with Yes, havent a GPU with 4GB.
Theyr Cards start with 6GB+

 

[Mussels]

I have three 8GB cards (RX 580, 1080, 1070Ti) and they're all barely enough for 1080p medium
A 6GB card i'd consider juuuuuust okay, but the GPU performance is more of a problem than the VRAM

 

[AsRock]

I have played RDR2 on a 2GB GTX 960 with graphics settings on medium; It looked pretty reasonable to me and my 3060Ti runs it nicely too but I'm not sure I'd call the experience vastly different between medium and ultra.

I guess it depends what you're expecting but I genuinely don't think anyone buying the cheapest GPU in the product range is expecting to be able to crank graphics settings up to the maximum. Entry level parts are all about getting the best experience for your money and ultra settings have never been about efficiently using more affordable hardware - not even close.

What I expect from an entry-level card is a mainstream console experience or better, and in the case of RDR2 and a PS5, that's 2K (specifically 1920x2160 rather than 2560x1440) locked to 30fps and running settings that are equivalent to a medium/high mix on PC.

Thing is i am not you, my needs are possible different than yours. and what you call "pretty reasonable" same goes.

RDR can chew though 4-6GB no problem in 2k, as i am playing it 4k(kinda) 40-58fps easy eats up the GB.

I be hoping to get more than i have of my old ass card.


EDIT: 5 mins of playing, print screen added other screen so cut that off and made it a jpg, print screen not worked right for me for a long time and relive is not capturing my pic so.

 

[R0H1T]

Only if you pay me to

 

[Dr. Dro]

Current prices are about 2x-3x what they were before the ETH mining boom really kicked into a higher gear last winter. A $199 price today is about comparable to a $99 GPU in any other era. It will go back down to $99 as soon as all mining is banned and successfully halted worldwide, as soon as the component shortages are resolved, as soon as the global economy returns to normal, as soon as the US-China trade war that imposes massive tarriffs each way on components required to make a GPU, and as soon as you reverse several years of inflation.

Do all of that, and we get our $99 entry-level GPUs back again, simples! \o/

I agree... it's the tough truth my friend. Our last hopes reside in competition, and even that is going to depend heavily on expanded fab capacity (TSMC and Samsung primarily), ASML being able to deliver the EUV lithography machines on time, and beyond... what a mess.

 

[Logoffon]

Well, I won't be buying a 4GB card.

I'm actually going to buy a 2GB one.

 

[WhitetailAni]

No. 4GB of VRAM doesn't come with any decent Kepler GPU.
6GB though... the Titan Z is looking nice...

 

[cvaldes]

If u want save electricity then buy a notebook

I have a notebook PC. I don't like using it as my daily driver though as my old eyes prefer a 27" 4K monitor and a full-sized keyboard.

Yes, I could plug in various cables to get the same setup but most notebooks are underpowered and have slower I/O. The better performing notebook PCs have more powerful CPUs and GPUs but typically thermal throttle. Desktop PCs have better thermals and thus better fan acoustics. Notebook PCs have notoriously whiny and irritating fans.

Go ahead and run Cinebench R23 on a notebook. It will be a painful 10 minute experience. Even on my NZXT H1 build Ryzen 3700X, 65W TDP), the fan is still pretty quiet. Now I don't run Cinebench R23 except when I am setting fan curves but I do run Handbrake encodes on my H1 build. I assure you that Handbrake encodes are a whiny symphony that lasts about four times longer on my notebook whereas they are relatively quiet and efficient on the 3700X-powered H1.

For sure, the H1 uses far less electricity than the gaming build described in my system specs.

I won't even bother describing a lot of the I/O slowness of notebook computers.

And notebook PCs are an ergonomic nightmare if you use the built-in keyboard, trackpad and stare at the tiny display, your neck crooked down. Bad Bad BAD for your body.

I'm glad I have a notebook PC when I need computing on the road, but they're awful, nasty devices for use as a daily driver for general computing tasks.

When I am mostly consuming content, I prefer my iPad. It probably log ten times more hours on my iPad compared to my notebook PC and twice the hours of my daily driver desktop PC. For sure, the iPad is far more power efficient than either.

 

[pf100]

A funny thing is:
most of the people they comment here with Yes, havent a GPU with 4GB.
Theyr Cards start with 6GB+

I voted yes, and up until a year ago I had an rx 470 4gb and it worked with every game. A 4 gb card definitely still works in 2022. You just have to turn down settings, sometimes having to put textures on as low as it'll go, but it works.

 

[Nater]

Yes. I want a Quadro card and keep coming up empty trying to get an RTX A2000 or A4000(at a non 3rd party eye watering price). Might just settle for a P620 or P1000 from Microcenter.