8400m GS VRAM confusion

We know that the 8400m GS in the m1330 has 128MB dedicated VRAM. What's interesting is that Forceware reckons it's also using 128MB of the system RAM, making 256MB total. Yet I'm using a 64-bit OS and it shows I have all 4GB available, implying none is being used for VRAM.



I'd put it down to a simple misreading, but I remember the Linux Forceware also detected 256MB, and I can play various games that claim to require 256MB minimum such as Devil May Cry 4.

Is it just wrong?

 

While you have access to that extra 128MB of system RAM, the drivers will only acquire it only when needed.

That being said, system RAM does not really help performance. Those 'game recommended minimums' are absolutely rubbish and you need to look at the types of cards that the game supports.

A 256MB Intel GMA 900 (or a 256MB X3100 for that matter) wouldn't play most games that state you need to have 256MB of RAM! The core of the GPU counts much much more than the amount of memory attached to it.

 

What Greg writes is absolutely true. Every single sentence.

If you really want to know more on the different memory available and consumed memory numbers this document explains that in great detail:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/graphicsmemory.mspx
(the word document)