Video RAM, also called VRAM, is memory that belongs to the graphics processor (GPU). It is separate from your system RAM and is used only for graphics and GPU workloads. Many people misunderstand what VRAM does, so this guide explains it in clear, accurate terms.

1. What VRAM Actually Does

VRAM stores the data the GPU needs to draw images on your screen. This includes:

• Textures and graphics used in games.
• Frame buffers for rendering images.
• 3D models and visual assets.
• High resolution or multi-monitor display data.

VRAM is not used for general programs, audio processing, realtime text, or normal Windows tasks. It is only used by the GPU for graphics or GPU-accelerated workloads.

2. VRAM Is Not the Same as System RAM

System RAM is used by Windows and your applications. VRAM is used only by the GPU. Adding more VRAM does not increase system performance unless your workload specifically uses the GPU.

Examples of tasks that do NOT use VRAM:

• CAT software.
• Realtime text output.
• Speech recognition front ends.
• Web browsing.
• Office applications.
• Audio recording or monitoring.

These rely on CPU performance and system RAM, not VRAM.

3. When VRAM Matters

VRAM is important only for workloads that rely heavily on the GPU. Examples include:

• Modern 3D gaming.
• 3D modeling and CAD applications.
• Video editing with GPU acceleration.
• AI and machine learning models that run on the GPU.
• Password cracking or security research using GPU compute.

These tasks load large amounts of data into VRAM so the GPU can process it quickly. In these cases, more VRAM can improve performance or allow larger projects to run.

4. When VRAM Does NOT Matter

Most professional workloads do not use the GPU at all. For these tasks, VRAM size has no effect on performance. Examples include:

• Court reporting and voice writing.
• Realtime text output.
• Speech recognition front ends.
• Document work, research, and office tasks.
• General Windows use.

These rely on CPU speed, system RAM, and fast storage. A large GPU or high VRAM amount will not improve performance.

5. Integrated Graphics vs Dedicated Graphics

Integrated graphics share system RAM instead of having their own VRAM. This is perfectly fine for:

• Office work.
• Realtime reporting.
• Speech recognition.
• Web browsing.
• Video playback.

Dedicated GPUs have their own VRAM and are designed for heavier graphics workloads. They are useful when your software specifically uses GPU acceleration.

6. How Much VRAM Do You Need?

• General use, office work, realtime reporting: Integrated graphics or a basic GPU is enough. VRAM amount does not matter.
• Light creative work or older games: 2GB to 4GB VRAM.
• Modern gaming or GPU-accelerated creative work: 6GB to 8GB VRAM.
• High-end gaming, 4K rendering, or large AI models: 10GB to 16GB VRAM or more.

For court reporters and most professionals, VRAM is not a performance factor. CPU performance, system RAM, and fast NVMe storage matter far more.

7. Why Some Industries Use GPUs as Coprocessors

In certain fields, the GPU is used as a compute engine, not just for graphics. Examples include:

• Password cracking and security research.
• AI model training and inference.
• Scientific simulations.
• Large-scale data processing.

These workloads use the GPU because it can perform many parallel calculations at once. VRAM is used to store the data the GPU is processing. This is very different from normal PC use.

8. Summary

• VRAM is memory for the GPU, not for Windows or your applications.
• Most professional workloads do not use the GPU at all.
• Realtime reporting and speech recognition do not benefit from large VRAM amounts.
• VRAM matters only for graphics-heavy or GPU-accelerated tasks.
• For most users, CPU performance, system RAM, and fast storage are far more important.

If you are unsure whether your software uses the GPU, we can help you choose the right configuration for your workload.