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    Lying Video memory size?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by GrandAdmiral, Dec 16, 2007.

  1. GrandAdmiral

    GrandAdmiral Notebook Evangelist

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    Heres a weird observation, the graphics cards in both my computers (through windows and the nvidia system info) say they're 512mb. But my 8400M GS should only be 128mb and according to my desktop specs it should only have a 256mb. Have I got better cards free or are they lying to me?

    Grand Admiral
     
    GrandAdmiral, Dec 16, 2007
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  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    That 512mb is the total ram allocated, which includes 128 dedicated and the rest shared. So no you did not get any freebie, it's how turbocache works with nvidia gpus.
     
    adinu, Dec 16, 2007
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  3. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Well the definition of TurboCache that you have in your sig is that it shares system memory with your video card making it appear as though you have more VRAM. That, and by default, Vista if you have it also virtualizes video memory by devoting system resources to the GPU when needed.
     
    ltcommander_data, Dec 16, 2007
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  4. GrandAdmiral

    GrandAdmiral Notebook Evangelist

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    But all I'm doing is staring at the Windows XP desktop. How the hell does that chew more than 128mb of video memory. And (I know its off topic) why does my desktop say 512mb instead of 256mb when it doesn't have turbocache?

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    GrandAdmiral, Dec 16, 2007
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  5. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    What it's showing you is the total amount of available Video Memory. Very little of that is actually being used when you're just staring at the desktop, however it's available to be allocated if necessary.

    For your desktop, most likely it's the OS virtualizing the video memory.
     
    odin243, Dec 16, 2007
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  6. GrandAdmiral

    GrandAdmiral Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok... Guess that means I'll have to change my signature.

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    GrandAdmiral, Dec 17, 2007
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  7. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    The 7500LE on your desktop most likely has TurboCache too since it's based on the G72 core which is the 7300 series, and that supports TurboCache.
     
    ltcommander_data, Dec 17, 2007
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