Is 128 MB VRAM enough for gaming in 2024?
As a long-time gamer and content creator focusing on the latest titles and hardware, I feel confident saying that 128 MB of video memory is absolutely not sufficient for a good gaming experience in 2024 and beyond. Let‘s dig into the details on why this relic from the early 2000s falls so far short by today‘s standards.
Minimum VRAM Keeps Increasing
Modern games are pushing graphical boundaries more than ever, which requires beefier GPU hardware. As a result, minimum VRAM keeps increasing for new games. For example:
| Game | Release Year | Min. VRAM |
| Doom Eternal | 2020 | 4 GB |
| Horizon: Forbidden West | 2022 | 4 GB |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 2020 | 3 GB |
These aren‘t even max settings – this is just to meet the developer‘s baseline playability recommendation! Compared to the 2 GB average between 2016-2019, requirements are still headed upwards. So the 128 MB that was low-end even in 2007 stands absolutely no chance with 2023‘s titles.
Higher Resolutions Demand More Memory
Additionally, gaming at 1440p and 4K is more popular than ever. Higher resolutions require substantially more VRAM to store and process all those additional pixels. Most recent AAA games call for at least 6-8 GB if you want to play at higher resolutions and max settings.
For example, running Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla at 4K demands over 8 GB VRAM. Red Dead Redemption 2 calls for over 6 GB if you enable all the advanced graphics options at 1440p. And don‘t get me started on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020!
Clearly, 128 MB can‘t facilitate modern experiences like 4K open world exploration or ray traced lighting. You‘d be stuck gaming in 720p or lower – not an acceptable tradeoff for most gamers buying new GPUs in 2024.
Textures Are Becoming Enormous
Furthermore, texture quality and sizes continue increasing to match the improved graphics. High resolution texture packs are common now for enhanced details in surfaces, objects, environments, characters, etc. These 4K and 8K textures eat up substantial VRAM – 1 GB per texture is not unusual!
For example, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) recommends at least 4 GB VRAM mostly to accommodate its huge textures. Far Cry 6 can use over 6 GB VRAM solely for textures at 1080p Very High settings. So 128 MB cards quickly hit walls even in older eSports titles like CS:GO or DOTA 2 once you turn up textures. No bueno!
My Recommendations for 2023
Given all these trends, I strongly advise at least 4-6 GB VRAM for smooth 1080p gaming in 2024. 8 GB GPUs provide plenty of headroom going forward. For higher resolutions, 8 GB is my new baseline recommendation, with 10-12 GB being ideal to max out settings.
I‘m currently running an RTX 3080 with 10 GB GDDR6X VRAM which chews through Ultra graphics and ray tracing at 1440p. But next upgrade I‘m eyeing the latest cards with 12+ GB memory for more comfortable 4K experiences.
That‘s the perspective of a passionate gamer focused on cutting edge performance and quality. For users playing older titles or eSports games, lower VRAM may suffice. But for 2023‘s big releases, 128 MB doesn‘t even register as a consideration anymore.
The Verdict
If you made it this far, hopefully I‘ve made it abundantly clear why 128 MB VRAM is obsolete and simply inadequate for current games. Upgrading to a newer GPU even with just 2-4 GB VRAM will vastly improve playability. So leave 128 MB graphics cards firmly in the past where they belong!
What are your thoughts on VRAM requirements for modern gaming? Do you agree 128 MB is clearly not enough these days? Let me know in the comments!
