I've recently bought some very demanding scenery (OrbX Netherlands TrueEarth) and realised that my current setup (Windows 7) can't really handle it, so I'm thinking about buying a GTX1080 to replace my GTX970. I read that P3D4 is somewhat limited by your processor (I have an Intel I5), so I was a bit worried that spending NZ$900 on a new graphics card might achieve very little, but I checked my computer's performance yesterday and found that my GTX 970 seems to be the bottleneck.  

I do have two questions though, - I understand that GPU dedicated memory is system RAM that can be used for graphics. I have 16GB of system RAM, 4GB of GPU RAM, but my Process Explorer stats (see below) show only 2.5GB of GPU dedicated memory. I'm wondering if this is something I could increase to obtain better performance. Why do my W7 display stats (also below) show Dedicated Video Memory as 4GB? Presumably that's just the GPU RAM and not GPU dedicated memory.

Also, what does GPU system memory do? I seem to be using a tiny fraction of the limit, - is this something that can be utilised better?

16 hours ago, Scupper said:

I understand that GPU dedicated memory is system RAM that can be used for graphics. I have 16GB of system RAM, 4GB of GPU RAM, but my Process Explorer stats (see below) show only 2.5GB of GPU dedicated memory.

I think there is a confusion of terms here... your video card has 4GB of "dedicated video memory" and "dedicated video memory" is not system RAM.  System RAM is on your motherboard (16GB), "dedicated video memory" is on the video card and might also be known as VRAM.  The video card will use a small amount of system resources for cache and if it runs out of VRAM it will start using system RAM but this is not the case according to your Process Explorer.

Process Explorer is indicating that 2.5 GB of the total 4 GB VRAM is in use.  This utilization is entirely dependent on the processes going on within the GPU and you have no direct control.  If you increase the resolution of terrain textures you might see a difference but that is only due to a change in GPU processing.  This level of utilization is expected with a 4GB card, which is one of your several limiting factors.  P3D works best with 8GB of VRAM... I notice that with my 11GB VRAM that my utilization usually runs about 7.2 GB. 

I'm not smart enough to advise you on what you should upgrade, only you know given your budget constraints, but I will share that my 1080Ti x2 SLI runs around 21% GPU loading with terrain texture tweaks maximized.

Edited August 29, 20187 yr by downscc

16 hours ago, Scupper said:

I've recently bought some very demanding scenery (OrbX Netherlands TrueEarth) and realised that my current setup (Windows 7) can't really handle it, so I'm thinking about buying a GTX1080 to replace my GTX970. I read that P3D4 is somewhat limited by your processor (I have an Intel I5), so I was a bit worried that spending NZ$900 on a new graphics card might achieve very little, but I checked my computer's performance yesterday and found that my GTX 970 seems to be the bottleneck.  

I do have two questions though, - I understand that GPU dedicated memory is system RAM that can be used for graphics. I have 16GB of system RAM, 4GB of GPU RAM, but my Process Explorer stats (see below) show only 2.5GB of GPU dedicated memory. I'm wondering if this is something I could increase to obtain better performance. Why do my W7 display stats (also below) show Dedicated Video Memory as 4GB? Presumably that's just the GPU RAM and not GPU dedicated memory.

Also, what does GPU system memory do? I seem to be using a tiny fraction of the limit, - is this something that can be utilised better?

Just to be clear, Windows 7 can handle anything Windows 10 can w/r/t P3D.

The very high GPU utilization you're seeing is not being driven by any sort of memory constraints...you have 4GB of VRAM on the video card, and only 2.5GB committed.  I infer from the VRAM usage that you are using a relatively low res monitor (e.g. 1920x1080), which does help on a lower-performance system.  More than likely, it's your AA settings that are maxxing out the GPU, and with it running that close to 100% all the time, I don't imagine it's very smooth.  A 1080 will do a much better job of handling that same level of AA because of its significantly increased processing power, not because of its higher VRAM capacity.  You should try reducing the AA on your current system and see if you can get your GPU utilization down to the 70-80% range or less...4xMSAA versus any level of SSAA, for example...but I'm just guessing as to where your settings might be. 

I also note that your CPU is only running at 3.6GHz--that's pretty underwhelming for P3D, but still a reasonable match for a not-too-powerful 970.  If you have a K-series CPU, you should think about overclocking it at least to the low-mid 4GHz range, and in conjunction with a better GPU like the 1080, that should give you quite a jump in performance. 

GPU system memory is the amount of system RAM used to support the graphics subsystem.  It uses what it needs...it'd only be a factor if it were way high with system RAM committed near capacity, and with 16GB of RAM you're nowhere close to that.

Regards

I just started following this forum and already am finding it helpful with this first post I’m reading.  What I’ve gathered so far is that I wouldn’t really get much more from a 1080Ti over a 1080 as far as P3Dv4 is concerned.  I’m currently running two1920x1080 monitors on an i74790K OC’d to about 4.5 GHz, 16 GB RAM, with a single GTX760 GPU and have no plans to upgrade to 4K.  Upgrading to a 1080 should help significantly.  Correct?  Thanks.

Wow, - thanks Dan and Bob, - two extremely helpful replies. Now I know far better what's happening, although I still don't quite see what VRAM 'usage' is, - i just assumed it was how much memory was occupied. Interesting to learn that I can only use 2.5GB of my 4GB of VRAM. I'll have a look at the AA settings, as you suggest Bob.

My CPU is an Intel Core i5 4670K so I'll try overclocking it as you suggest, to the low-mid 4GHz range, and I'll certainly get a 1080 very soon.

My monitor is 1920x1200, which I thought was pretty high, but I have been away from tech stuff for a while (as you might have guessed). When simming, I run a second monitor at 1280x1024, so that might partly account for the high GPU usage too.

Thanks again, very helpful 😊.

Quote

Interesting to learn that I can only use 2.5GB of my 4GB of VRAM

He said "only 2.5GB VRAM committed". I assume this means that you have 1.5GB of VRAM that is currently not being used by your system.

Edited August 31, 20187 yr by Christopher Low

I just replaced 2x EVGA GTX970SC in SLI for a EVGA GTX1080TI FTW3 11GB and is really surpriced about the performance in 4K resolution. I do "only" run it in 25HZ/unlimited fps with VSYNC ON and so far i am able to have all Dynamic lights on at night in all scenerys that i own. (FSL A319/320,all PMDG´s etc) 40-60% power usage

SLI and GTX970 and especially those 4GB VRAM is really a no go with eyecandy in P3Dv4.

 I have yet to test all the GPU heavy´s at day time but for now my only concern is actually my CPU .

It gets really hot now with high resolution textures enabled etc. Need a new balance for it as i have had CTD with FSLA319 because of to much demand on it.

Thanks

Michael Moe

Edited September 5, 20187 yr by Michael Moe