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    How does the Intel GMA 950 decide how much memory to allocate?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by bluesboy, Jul 3, 2006.

  1. bluesboy

    bluesboy Notebook Consultant

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    I was wondering how the Intel GMA 950 decides how much memory to draw from the system RAM. Does it allocate it dynamically, resizing as more or less is needed? Does it allocate a chunk on start/restart and stays at that size until the computer is rebooted? Can the user decide how much is allocated or does the 950 decide depending on how much total RAM the system has?

    Also, if it is user definable, how much video RAM would one need for DVD playback (I assume internet surfing wouldn't need much).

    Thanks.
     
    bluesboy, Jul 3, 2006
    #1
  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The memory is dynamicall allocated. It does not take a set portion of your system RAM; only as needed. The minimum it will take is 8MB, maximum anywhere from 128-224, depends on the notebook.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 4, 2006
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  3. bluesboy

    bluesboy Notebook Consultant

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    So to take an extreme example, if the GMA 950 thinks it might need 128MB of RAM and there is only 256MB of total RAM available, will it still allocate the 128MB? Does it "know" how much total RAM is in the system and will not allocate more than a certain percentage of it? (for example, it total system RAM is 512MB, would it not allocate more than 25% or 128MB?)
     
    bluesboy, Jul 4, 2006
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  4. zolo

    zolo Notebook Evangelist

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    In my HP dv5000 with the ATI x200 integrated gfx card, I set the video ram to 16mb cause I don't play games on this laptop. I haven't had any problem or hicaps while playing DVD's/divx/.VOB/or connecting the S-video to my TV ( to watch movies on my TV).
     
    zolo, Jul 4, 2006
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  5. alex5523

    alex5523 Notebook Geek

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    i think the gma dont need ram to see a dvd in your laptop without any trouble
     
    alex5523, Jul 5, 2006
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