Actually it does make a lot of sense, the frame rate buffer were doubled by adding a new 2gb memory pool. A lot of single GPUs actually have this built, micro-GPUs, GTX 960, GTX 760/770, R9 379/380 just to mention a few. It does make sense if the GPUs are used in SLI/CF. A CF 380 will get double bandwidth and bus speed, and will actually use 4gb, were the single card can only use 2gb.

Can I ask what setting you run Witcher 3 at? And what kind of monitoring do you use? Maybe you're using more than one monitoring software, resulting in false reading. Or there might be a difference between games that support splitted memory pools or the ones who doesn't. My point is that 380 won't use more than 2gb effectly.

Everything on ultra only hairworks turned off and shadows on high, I used msi afterburner and it used around 2gigs, how is that possible if your theory is correct?

It depends on the game, the extra 2gb vRAM pool works as a buffer. This means the 380 only uses 1 of the 2 pools when sufficient. If a single pool alone doesn't work "fast enough" the GPU compansate by using the second 2gb pool as well, resulting in showing the double vRAM usage. So as far as you don't push the 380 too far it will hold itself under the 2gb range.

I would really like to test this, what in your opinion would push this card too far so I can test memory usage there and ocmpare it to some other 4gig card that doesn't use "separated memory"

A GPUs vRAM usage are desided by how much vRAM the GPU have to offer. Even a 780 or 780 ti can run AC unity on ultra, and 780s only has 3gb. The 980 could use less than 3gb as well, but it use more because it has 4gb abily. So it uses more memory because it can, and because it gives faster rendering. You can't just base vRAM usage on a simple benchmark. Sorry, but it does not work like that.

I know that, but at the begining of this you said it can't use 4gb, and that it only mirrors the vram usage, and my point is that this can't be true, in that case ac unity uses around 1.6 gigs on ultra, that simply can't be and is not true

Take any 2 gb card and put it on high it will use more

I do agree with Zeones i did some further research by finding a video on youtube that used a gtx 970 and ran ac unity with Rviatuner on. I used the exact same settings the GTX 970 used on that video and i noticied that my r9 380 and that gtx 970 used the same vram. on the menu's it used about 2gb and in game about 3.2g

and 3.4 and 3.6 as locations changed.. oh and I played the same mission that was on the video to get more accurate results and I can conclude that the r9 380 can use 4gb and is not in sli.

I corrected my first post, mention that vRAM mirrors when the GPU exceeds 2gb memory. Also I don't see why 1.6 gb usage can't be true, because if you had used a 380 or GTX960 2gb version it wouldn't exceed 2gb. You also mention "take any 2gb card and put it on high it will use more", FALSE. A GPU can't use more vRAM than it has, lol.

when I said "take any 2gb card and put it on high it will use more" I ment more then 1.6gb

That because most 2gb GPUs have less ROPs, which requires a higher memory usage.

Don't see what I need to explain here. Seems like 2gb version stays areound 62fps, while 4gb have an averange of 64fps, which prove my point that the 2 extra GB doesn't make much impact on performance. Really don't see what I need to explain here -_-

May I ask where did you get that information about separated memory?
just wondering and btw with 2gb version fps stayed most of the time around 50 even lower sometimes, guy did poor job calculating average, while 4gb stayed over 60 mostly

here are links again, accidently deleted them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK9QKasZu7A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEe4nDYcc1c
4gb version has atleast 10 more fps even though textures are on ultra compared to high on 2gb card

Not exactelly correct. You see when vRAM are stacked the GPU will render and replace the textures and data storage faster, which mean it won't need as much vRAM as when Using a single pool. This mean each pool will use less vRAM than 1 pool uses alone, which explains how you can get usage between 2-3gb. You can't just calculate up to 1.99gb and then double the usage to 4gb vRAM.

Zeones lying about the vids your posting only makes me think of you as even more clueless. The vid in your last post of 380 4gb runs medium textures as far as I can see, which is the reason for 10fps higher than 2gb version with high textures.

You ask were I do get the memory pool information. Well both 380 2gb and 380 4gb are identical with the exact same build and architecture. if you read on the top of this site it says that the frame buffer were doubled in the 380 4gb version. This means they add a new memory pool without changing the architecture. If they however had changed the memory pool to a larger one they would had to rebuilt

the whole GPU, making a new and different GPU. But as far as I know both 380 2gb and 380 4gb has a similar built and architecture, meaning the extra vRAM are added by a new memory pool of 4 units (380 4gb has a total of 8 512mb units of memory).

first of all watch the thing if you plan telling someone is a liar, it starts at medium, but he changes it to ultra after like 5 seconds https://youtu.be/eK9QKasZu7A?t=22s and presses apply I even skipped to changed settings part…

Second of all, 93MiChr, yes, they added another memory pool of 4 units, and why does that mean that it doesn't act as full 4gb? where does it say it uses other 2gb as buffer or it mirrors first two gigs?

I've I have tried to explain that already. Both GPU has a similar architecture coded for 2GB. But seriously you're too stubborn to get it. I tried to explain it simple at first, resulting in you to confront me. Sorry but I don't have time for this. If you're not getting it by now then I guess you're not capabile of understanding. Jeez, some people, tip; read the GPU information on top of page -_-

I know what you wrote, and it makes me wonder if you have any idea what is what, but whatever, I agree, you are stuborn as hell, gl mate, hf and I really don't have will to talk about this, you think you're right I know I am and so be it

Look who's calling who's stubborn. "I know I am right", lol. It is common sense that 4gb editions has no performance gain against 2gb versions of the same GPU. Also you appear to me as a kid, sorry but for one you don't validate your sources. Second don't have any arguments beside asking further questions. I answere, were you dumbly ask again not getting any of my points. Kids these days….

Research showed that person calling other people kids online in 90% of cases is exactly that.. only source you mentioned was one line mentioned here in desc "frame buffer was doubled" and honestly I'm not sure you know what framebuffer is

And that does not make any sense. I found a benchmark on GTA V between 780 ti, 980 and Titan X. All cards run on similar settings, but you can see a difference between vRAM as all of those GPUs have differences in vRAM size. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHnfj1rjh0

Yes, the performance diffenece is not that much but what I was trying to say is that vram is not in sli.Well the vram thing is confusing as the same ultra settings uses 1.6 gigs on 2gb cards and 3.2 in all 4gb cards

I know the vRAM in terms aren't "SLI", but the divided pools and doubled memory buffer will work much similar to the vRAM in a SLI setup. I should have corrected and mentioned that in my first post. So to avoid any further misunderstanding, no 380 does not work as a SLI card, but the vRAM architecture can be compared to the one in SLI setups because of all the similitaries.

The funny thing about tht vid is the 780ti is usling less vram than the gtx 970 but is giving more fps.

Not funny at all, the 780 ti are faster at rendering then a 970, so it replace the memory storage much faster then what a 970 can, so it does not have to use as much vRAM as the 970 to get similar or better performance.

Funny thing is there actually was that research few years back, I remember reading about it lol

But ok, be it your way, I don't really care anymore, I know I'm stubborn, but you have to admit, you are too mate lol, no point in arguing here anymore.. I wish you a good night and all of the luck in life.. peace out

-ke RAM, more ram doesnt imporve fps but removes stutter from your games. Overall the 4gb is worth is and will come in more handy when and card is overclocked or crossfired. Peace!

Exactly, thank you, only one thing to add, it improves fps only when the game tries to exceed available vram and starts using system memory, and fps goes down the drain

and there more memory on card (be it the same card or not) helps too

and how things are going it will be a problem in close future with 2gb cards

Yeap! Totally agreed 4gb means more future compatibility!

This gpu is stronger than r9 280 which has 3 gigs frame buffer and this is newer gpu and Im worried about games that will use more than 2gb vram

Indeed it is stronger but it doesn't take advantage of 4GB. Only in a very few games will you notice any difference and nothing significant.
Most Situations in which 4GB are needed, the GPU itself is too weak.

ok, 1 more question, will msi r9 380 2gb be good in future… like next 3-4 years will it be able to play games then, because I want to be safe for next years

and gta 5 uses more than 2gb vram

I would suggest the 4GB card if you play games like GTAV, skyrim/fallout with mods etc.