Modern Gaming Benchmarks Show 8GB VRAM is No Longer Sufficient, Pushing Buyers to Choose Higher-Capacity GPUs

Modern gaming demands have soared to the point where a GPU with just 8GB of VRAM is showing its age, as recent benchmarks highlight substantial performance gains for models with larger memory buffers. While advanced rendering techniques like DLSS and FSR have boosted GPU performance in recent years, VRAM capacity appears to be the new bottleneck for many cutting-edge AAA titles.

According to tests conducted by PC Games Hardware, even mid-range models that share similar specs—like AMD’s Radeon RX 7600 and its VRAM-expanded sibling, the Radeon RX 7600 XT—exhibit noticeably different performance. Although these GPUs are nearly identical in processing power, the XT variant’s 16GB VRAM consistently outperforms the 8GB RX 7600 in modern games, particularly where memory-intensive tasks and high-resolution textures come into play.

Some of the biggest VRAM-hungry games, including Forza Horizon 5 and Horizon Forbidden West, highlight these differences even more starkly, showing that the 8GB model can struggle or become inconsistent in higher settings. With gaming technology advancing rapidly, it’s increasingly clear that GPUs with larger memory pools are becoming the new baseline for smooth, future-proof experiences.

Are you planning to upgrade to a GPU with more than 8GB of VRAM soon, or is your current setup still meeting your needs? Share your take in the comments!