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Increase amount of shared memory Windows gives to graphics cards

Anonymous
2014-02-22T21:20:00+00:00

Simple question, I was wondering if there's any way to change how much shared memory Windows gives to a graphics card (Not on integrated graphics). I have a desktop with a NVidea 8800 GTX (Yes, I know, old card) with a MSI H87-G43 motherboard. Any way to do this in Windows for instance in the registry or would I have to poke around in the BIOS?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-23T12:33:13+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community Forum.

    I want to inform you that there are three different things of a 'Total available graphics memory' and they are listed below:

    1. Dedicated graphics memory - RAM physically in the graphic card. Every graphic card has it. Built-in graphics solution don't have this.
    2. Dedicated system memory - RAM in your system but ONLY used by the graphics solution built-in to your system (It is not applicable if you have a separate graphic card).
    3. Shared system memory - RAM in your system that can be used by the graphic card or built-in graphic solution and also used by your CPU.

    You can change the amount of shared memory, if the BIOS allows it. You cannot change the amount dedicated system memory if you don't have a built-in graphic solution.

    Dedicated video graphic memory can be changed in BIOS. It is one of the BIOS feature.  I would suggest you to contact the computer manufacturer or refer to the computer manual.

    If the manufacturer of your computer is HP then you can refer to the following link:

    http://www8.hp.com/uk/en/support.html

    Note: Modifying BIOS/complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

    You may also try updating the latest BIOS updates from the manufacturer’s website and check if it helps in changing video memory.

    Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

    Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-23T15:41:21+00:00

    As Mike Hall MVP says, it can't be increased. The reason is that for integrated graphics card, the settings are managed through BIOS. Therefore, the settings can be changed. Whereas for the discrete graphics card, the VRAM or graphics memory amount is fixed by the manufacturer and can't be changed. This is made as to avoid sharing the RAM so the performance will remain the same even during situations that demand high graphics and RAM.

    Therefore, if you want to increase the graphics memory size, you need to upgrade the graphics card, which is the only option.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-23T14:36:23+00:00

    Chapter 3 of your manual deals with BIOS. There are changes that you can make, but only to the integrated graphics.

    Third party graphics cards are left to fend for themselves. Your 8800 is a 768mb type and there is nothing that you can do to make it any better.

    Note too that video memory is not everything. My system has a 2gb HD6450 video card fitted, and I only get a 4.3 for general use and a 4.4 for gaming. To be honest, other than not leaching memory from the system, I have no idea what the 2gb is actually doing.

    Performance in games is down to other factors like pixel shader level and all kinds of other exotic things..

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