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    Question Regarding Shared Memory

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by golin, Aug 8, 2008.

  1. golin

    golin Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I have read all the info that I could find about this but still I am not sure of the answer.

    I understand that only cards with a 256bit bus or higher can use more than 256mb of memory. Does that mean that a card such as the Quadro FX 1600M that is advertised as having 256mb dedicated + up to 256mb shared memory can only ever use its dedicated memory? Does that make the whole statement meaningless then or is there some point to this feature? (other than making me think it's better of course).
     
    golin, Aug 8, 2008
    #1
  2. Waldo Wainthrop

    Waldo Wainthrop Notebook Geek

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    Shared memory is more of a marketing tactic than anything substantial. The purpose is to give the perception that you are getting a performance advantage. Whether it can utilize that much memory is beside the point, since shared memory doesn't improve performance usefully in the first place.
     
    Waldo Wainthrop, Aug 8, 2008
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  3. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    ^^^^ truth.
     
    masterchef341, Aug 8, 2008
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  4. golin

    golin Notebook Consultant

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    Does that also apply when there is no dedicated memory?
     
    golin, Aug 8, 2008
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  5. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Indeed it does.
     
    Dook, Aug 8, 2008
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  6. golin

    golin Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you all :)
     
    golin, Aug 8, 2008
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