3d Video Accelerator Memory Requirements
The following table shows the amount of local video memory that would be
required to achieve acceptable game performance at various resolutions. This is
calculated on a generic basis and does not take into account how memory is
allocated on any specific card. For a particular resolution to even work, your
card must have at least the amount of memory shown as "Total Buffer Memory
Required" plus 2 meg, which is the smallest size texture cache that I am aware
of on any currently available 3d card. For good performance with typical games
released in 1998 or later, the card should have at least the amount of memory
shown as "Total Local Memory Recommended". Less than this will result in
increased texture swapping, which will reduce frame rate and cause jerkiness or
pauses.
Estimated Memory Requirements for Various Video Modes
| Width, pixels |
Height, pixels |
Buffer Depth, bits per pixel |
Memory Per Buffer, mB |
Total Buffer Memory Required, mB |
Total Local Memory Recommended, mB |
| Double Buffered |
Triple Buffered |
Double Buffered |
Triple Buffered |
| 512 |
384 |
16 |
0.38 |
1.1 |
1.5 |
9.1 |
9.5 |
| 512 |
384 |
32 |
0.75 |
2.3 |
3.0 |
10.3 |
11.0 |
| 640 |
480 |
16 |
0.59 |
1.8 |
2.3 |
9.8 |
10.3 |
| 640 |
480 |
32 |
1.17 |
3.5 |
4.7 |
11.5 |
12.7 |
| 800 |
600 |
16 |
0.92 |
2.7 |
3.7 |
10.7 |
11.7 |
| 800 |
600 |
32 |
1.83 |
5.5 |
7.3 |
13.5 |
15.3 |
| 1024 |
768 |
16 |
1.50 |
4.5 |
6.0 |
12.5 |
14.0 |
| 1024 |
768 |
32 |
3.00 |
9.0 |
12.0 |
17.0 |
20.0 |
| 1280 |
1024 |
16 |
2.50 |
7.5 |
10.0 |
15.5 |
18.0 |
| 1280 |
1024 |
32 |
5.00 |
15.0 |
20.0 |
23.0 |
28.0 |
| 1600 |
1200 |
16 |
3.66 |
11.0 |
14.6 |
19.0 |
22.6 |
| 1600 |
1200 |
32 |
7.32 |
22.0 |
29.3 |
30.0 |
37.3 |
Notes:
- Z buffer depth is assumed to be same as color depth.
- Total buffers required = number of frame buffers + 1 z-buffer.
- Stencil buffers and other advanced features are not accounted for.
- Total local memory recommended includes 8 meg for texture cache.
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