"AMD Executive Argues Continued Popularity of 1080p Gaming and the Usefulness of 8GB GPUs"
AMD's Gaming Chief: Most Gamers Don't Need More Than 8GB VRAM
In a recent post on a social media platform (formerly Twitter), Frank Azor, AMD's Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Marketing, defended the company's decision to continue offering GPUs with 8GB of VRAM, despite concerns from users in 2025. Azor asserted that the majority of gamers are still playing at 1080p resolutions and have no use for more memory.
"The majority of gamers are content with 1080p, and there's no need for more than 8GB of memory," Azor wrote. He also pointed out that the most played games worldwide are mostly esports titles, emphasizing that AMD wouldn't build products if there wasn't a market for them. For those who require higher memory, there's always the option to upgrade to the 16GB variant, Azor added.
Data from the Steam Hardware Survey supports Azor's claims, revealing that over half of gamers (55.27%) are playing on 1080p monitors, and many are holding out for more budget-friendly GPUs. One of the top five GPUs among Steam users in 2025 is still the GTX 1650, which only features 4GB of VRAM. On the other hand, the number one GPU as of April is the RTX 4060 laptop version with 8GB of VRAM.
The debate over VRAM has become a contentious issue amid the current GPU slump, with 8GB already proving insufficient for the most graphically demanding games. The question of whether the 5070's 12GB VRAM is future-proof remains open, and the $379 MSRP for the 8GB 5060 Ti raises concerns before considering the markups from AIB partners.
However, the 8GB RX 9060 XT, priced at $299, presents a more compelling option. With a majority of gamers sticking to 1080p, and many of the most popular games being less demanding titles like Marvel Rivals or lesser-known indie games, the 9060 XT is shaping up to be a viable choice for those seeking an 8GB card without breaking the bank.
Azor's stance resonates with Stevie Bonifield's personal gaming experience. He's been gaming on an 8GB Radeon RX 6600 for a couple of years now and has yet to encounter any performance issues, even playing most games through a compatibility layer on Fedora Linux.
The demand for high-end GPUs with more than 8GB VRAM is driven by the need for advanced gaming capabilities and AI processing, while budget GPUs with 8GB VRAM cater to those looking for cost-effective options without sacrificing too much performance for mid-range gaming needs. As with any product, though, it's essential to ensure that attractive MSRPs are reflected in the actual prices.
Related Topics:
- Upcoming gaming releases
- The best PC games
- Free PC games
- The best FPS games
- The best RPGs
- Co-op games
Author Details:
- Stevie Bonifield, a freelance tech journalist, specializes in mobile tech, gaming gear, and accessories. Outside of writing, Stevie enjoys indie games, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), and building custom keyboards.
- Stevie Bonifield, a freelance tech journalist who specializes in gaming gear, attests to AMD's 8GB Radeon RX 6600 performing well for him in his gaming experience, even when playing most games through a compatibility layer on Fedora Linux.
- In light of the current GPU market, the ongoing debate over VRAM, such as the question of whether the 5070's 12GB VRAM is future-proof, has sparked concerns over the $379 MSRP for the 8GB 5060 Ti.
- Although the demand for high-end GPUs catering to advanced gaming capabilities and AI processing may require more than 8GB VRAM, the up-and-coming 8GB RX 9060 XT appears to be a viable choice for those seeking cost-effective options, considering many gamers stick to 1080p resolutions.
- As gaming enthusiasts await new gaming releases and explore the top FPS games, RPGs, and co-op games, they might find relevant insights on gadgets and technology, such as wagers on the best GPU choices, in Stevie Bonifield's articles covering gaming gear and accessories.
