2GB VRAM and 5k Retina Display

[TechInit]

Hi all,

I'm currently in the market for a new iMac, and I've settled in that I want a late 2014 or mid 2015 iMac. I've been looking around, and I was wondering if the 2GB of VRAM on the R9 M290X would have issues pushing a 27" display. I know that 4GB of VRAM would be good to have, however, price is a factor for me unfortunately.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Peet_B]

Well, since the Retina iMacs from 2014/2015 were originally delivered with that GPU as an option, it for sure can handle the single 27" 5K display. I am as we speak working with a mid-2014 MacBook Pro with a 2GB GT750M. I've got a 4K display hooked up to the machine, and I'm using the built-in display (2880x1800) and it's working fine without issues, even doing some light GPU intensive work.

Yes, more VRAM would be better, in the same way that 8GB is better than 4GB. But when money is the deciding factor, 2GB is just fine for regular use!

 

[wilberforce]

I had (until recently) a late 2014 iMac with M290X with 2GB VRAM, and it had no problem pushing its own 27" 5K display. But I do not do much video editing or gaming.
One thing to watch on the 2014 and 2015 27" iMacs: they are notorious for image retention at the edges of the screen and/or pink edges. I suggest check this closely. Image retention is only temporary (not the same as burn-in), and it bothers some people more than others.