256MB vs. 512MB?

[KenTs]

What is the benefit of a 512MB video card over one that has 256MB?
I'll be running Vista, designing graphics and have a many applications
open at once. However, there won't be any large amount of animations or
gaming.

Thanks

[Twey]

Not a lot. VRAM size is decreasing as clock speed increases. Most of the top cards today only have 256MB.

Note that this will (in most cases) have no effect on the overall performance of your system.

[BigDen13]

VRAM size is decreasing as clock speed increases

Cards with more VRAM have bigger latency and lower timings. So if 256mb is enough for current app 256mb's card would be faster.

[Chevvy]

Some the newest games uses 512++ mb of videoram on higher settings. But I think 256mb is still enough today.

[Twey]

And most modern graphics cards accommodate this by using system RAM. This isn't as efficient, admittedly, but it gets the job done.