SOVLED! Is a 2GB graphics card enough for gaming in 2023?

It’s a no-brainer that the evolution of computers and their peripheral counterpart have taken a gigantic leap forward in the last decade. From simple 2D to hyper-realistic 3D games, we have seen it all. For starters, the higher resolution games of today are only able to run because of the Graphics card. 

In simple words, a 2GB graphics card is not enough to play most modern games even on low settings. However, some older games like The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, GTA Open World, Assasin’s Creed 1/2/3, Skyrim, Call of Duty: Till Black OPs 2, Crysis 2/3, Deadpool, Watchdog, can be played using a 2GB graphics card. Now, the performance of FPS will depend on other things such as the CPU, GPU, and the RAM inside your system. A 2GB VRAM in your graphics card isn’t the only deciding factor.

2 GB Graphics Cards are rare to see these days. You can grab some older ones like GTX 1050 or RX560 but today’s games are demanding a lot of graphics power to run properly. A 2GB Graphics card can be used for light gaming at very low settings. You can’t expect a 1080P resolution with this kind of graphics card at any cost.

We are talking about the VRAM here. So, a 2GB graphics card means it will have a 2GB graphics memory to hold the game data. Now, if your game needs more than 2GB of space to hold all the temporary game files, your 2GB graphics card is not enough for that game. However, the speed of your VRAM can make a difference here. We are going to talk about everything below in this article. So, keep reading until the end.

Importance of the amount of VRAM in a graphics card

A good gaming experience is truly based on the graphics, a sharp lightning strike, or a big fire to say the least! Owing to this, the VRAM comes into play. It is Video Random Access Memory that is in charge of the fluid simulations and the cut-through images. 

But, keep a thing in mind that the VRAM has nothing to do with the performance when your GPU is not powerful enough. However, because VRAM is the only temporary memory on your graphics card that holds the data, if it’s not sufficient for a game, it won’t give you the desired results.

Having said that, how much VRAM is required for a smooth gaming spree? Well, it depends on the work you have assigned the VRAM for- 

• For video editing at a bare medium range, we may need a VRAM of about 4 – 6GB GDDR6/5X/5.
• For Graphic designs, 4 – 6GB GDDR6/5X/5 would suffice.
• And for gaming, 4 – 6GB GDDR6/5X/5 is necessary at a resolution range of 1080p – 2160p.

For starters, gaming at about 4K resolution, you should at least consider going for 6-8GB GDDR6/5X/5.

Again, the speed of the memory will also make a huge difference when it comes to graphics performance. A graphics card with less but faster VRAM can easily outrank the performance of a card with more but slower VRAM. Also, the GPU inside your graphics card is the main component deciding the gaming performance.

To summarize everything we’ve discussed so far, no matter what route you take, expecting a high-quality result from 2GB of graphics would only result in a big disappointment. 

Also Read: How to increase graphics card’s performance (without overclocking)?

Which games can run on a 2GB graphic card?

Well, the good news is, that your 2GB graphics card may not be sufficient for high-end gaming, but it can still run a bunch of popular games. Yes, you heard that right!

You can still have a decent session with just a 2GB graphics card on your PC. The high-resolution games mentioned below may have low FPS and can drop some frames here and there, but it is okay not to knit-pick on that. So, here are a few games that you may consider trying: 

1. GTA V (open world)

You must be living under a rock if you have not heard of GTA V. It is an action- adventure-based game with numerous story plots that you can be a part of! Though it has high-resolution requirements as it is pragmatic and has many 3D characters. However, you can give this a shot at lower settings.

2. The Witcher  3: Wild Hunt

This has to be the most realistic, graphically rigorous video game ever developed.  Based on ‘The Witcher’ by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, is an action-based role-playing game. Based on three seasons, the Witcher on its release was heavily praised by gaming critics worldwide. Receiving a total of 81 out of 100 Metacritic, it dispersed globally to become one of the most played games ever. You ought to try this one out!

3. Assassin’s Creed:  

Mainly developed by UBISOFT, is an open-world action-adventure video game with ardent pictorials. It’s been about 15 years into existence and still, we can not get enough of Assassin’s Creed. The graphics in this game is to be in awe of and gives us all a first-hand experience.

4. Counter-Strike (Game Series)

Have you heard about the Counterstrike: Global Offensive game series? Of course, you did! For the record, it is the newest and probably the best edition of the game launched for PC. In case you din’ know, Counter-Strike is a series of multiplayer first-person shooter video games in which teams of terrorist battle to take out an act of terror like shooting or bombing. The graphics and in-game experience are something you wouldn’t like to miss.

Some other games are Assassin’s creed rogue, Assassin Creed Origins, Mass Effect 1/2/3, Mafia 2, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Apex Legends, Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice, A Way Out, etc.

Which games can  NOT run on a 2GB graphic card?

Right off the bat, all high-end games in 2023 run only on a bare minimum requirement of a 4GB graphics card or more. Added to that, if you have a good VRAM in it, it is just like a cherry on top. Here are a few high-end graphic intense games that won’t run on a 2GB graphics card.

1. Overwatch

If you have heard of it yet, have a look at the trailer. Nothing can stop you from being mesmerized by the graphics and the fluid counterfeit. It is one of the best competitive games available right now and many critics claim it to be the best in the eSports category as per visuals and experience. Overwatch assigns players into two teams of six, with each player selecting from a large roster of HEROES to role play with. Now that you know, you’re welcome!

2. Far Cry 

The realism cracks the top in this game. Developed by Ubisoft, it is a first-person shooting game. The user interface is very interactive, and the profound graphics need a generous bandwidth to experience smooth gameplay.  The story is based in the Himalayan range of northern India and Nepal, where a Kyrati-American returns to its native place to carry out Ishwari’s final wish by returning her ashes.  Let us know how do you feel about it.

3. Fortnite 

Yes, you read it right. Fortnite is one of the best battle royales of this decade- no questions whatsoever.  It is made to support a wide range of hardware and specifications to bring more people on board. It is a great game to play with friends or with strangers online and on any platform. Fortnite is just like a fine wine that keeps getting better with every update.

As we discussed earlier, most modern games can’t run on a 2GB graphics card. Some of the names are Cyberpunk 2077, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, Red Dead Redemption 2, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty: Warzone, Halo Infinite, Dirt 5, Hitman 3, Shadow of Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy XV, etc.

Should we buy a 2GB graphics card in 2023? 

The answer is simple, it all depends on your budget and requirements. If you want to play games and especially some modern ones, you just can’t do it with a 2GB graphics card. You have to come to clear terms with what and how much quality you expect from the output. VRAM being a very important part of video games, it should be first taken into consideration. Besides that, the performance of a graphics card is also based on the bandwidth it works on.

All things aside, if your budget is only constrained to a 2GB graphics card, and you’re okay with compromising a little, then go for it! But, don’t expect it to run those high-end games. You can still play some games but the FPS is going to be minimal. Keep the settings low, and you may have enough gaming experience.

For those who don’t play games, a 2GB graphics card is more than enough to edit HD/Full HD videos, edit photos, do programing, and do other normal tasks.

In a Nutshell

Games are made to enjoy and to work as a stressbuster in most cases. But a poor gaming experience may just add to more stress and spoil your mood further. While a good setup is needed for PC games, it is okay if you have just a 2GB graphics card assuming that you are not a professional gamer). As a casual gamer, you can have a pretty good time with the 2 gigs of graphics!