 Graphics Memory? |
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 May 2 2008, 01:21 PM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 2 Joined: 19-April 08 Member No.: 203,923  |
Driver Version: 6.14.10.4764 Operating System: Windows XP* Professional, Service Pack 2 (5.1.2600) Default Language: English DirectX* Version: 9.0 Physical Memory: 247 MB Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB Maximum Graphics Memory: 128 MB Graphics Memory in Use: 9 MB Processor: x86 Processor Speed: 3065 MHZ Device Revision: 04 Accelerator in Use: Intel® 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family Video BIOS: 3402 IF I HAVE 128MB OF MEMORY, WHY IS ONLY 9 MB IN USE? HOW CAN I INCREASE IT TO MAXIMUM? |
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May 2 2008, 02:36 PM
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 3,939 Joined: 3-September 05 From: Killeen, TX Member No.: 33,068 |
Well...it seems that many Windows versions/functions...don't need more than 8MB of RAM.
The additional amounts of video RAM have been added to accommodate visual effects/functions which have been included to deal with 3D, games, and other functions which stress motion and the depiction of such. IMO, the vast amounts of RAM which video cards have today (I remember having 4MB video cards with Win 98) are probably due to the increase influence of gaming and the eye candy which MS seems to love so much now (IMO). You can see a more detailed view at Video memory mysteries - http://www.dansdata.com/gz014.htm For the things that a casual user does on a PC...8MB still would work fine, IMO. I believe that gamers are the major group who actually experience the real values of the video graphics we have today, the rest of us are just unknowing beneficiaries of capabilities we will never exploit. You may find this interesting, http://www.directron.com/howtochoosvi.html Louis |
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May 2 2008, 06:02 PM
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 Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 5,247 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
Assuming that you have onboard video, keep in mind that if you increase the RAM in your onboard video chip you'll take that much away from your system RAM. The best thing to do is update your system RAM as much as you can afford, then go into the BIOS and increase you video ram
-------------------- Mark
 why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around |
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May 2 2008, 06:11 PM
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Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 205 Joined: 12-February 08 From: Illinois Member No.: 189,860 |
You can also get a graphics card with its own RAM for cheap. Tho system RAM will be cheaper and help you more all around. If you're gaming even if it used the max 128MB you're still gonna feel some pain. check out www.newegg.com and your bank statement and see what you can do.
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May 3 2008, 12:25 AM
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 Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 344 Joined: 28-January 06 From: Australia Member No.: 52,817 |
Intel onboard video dynamically "grabs" system memory as required. At boot, 8M is always allocated, so the basic 2D functions can display the desktop. Normally in the BIOS setup a maximum figure can be specified, on your system it seems to be set at 128M. There may be a range of choices in the BIOS setup menu, 128M is certainly adequate for most requirements, but may be a bit high considering the system has 256M of RAM. However, the graphics subsystem only allocates as much extra memory beyond the 8M as it needs for current purposes, leaving as much memory as possible for running Windows and applications.
-------------------- Microsft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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