Re: VRAM on Intel 4500mhd

Dear all,

Since the Intel 4500mhd is an integrated GPU, it takes some share from the system memory for graphics rendering. So my questions are-

1. Is this VRAM limited (to 32 or 64mb for eg.)? If yes, to what extent?
2. Is it dependent on the OS or the paricular laptop?
3. How does one go about changing it, if that's possible?
4. Will increasing system RAM enable one to increase the VRAM?

Confused. Thanks!

 

I believe the 4500 uses something in the range of 256 MB of system RAM no matter how much SRAM you have, then of course you got Vista which allocates it's own pool to graphics (though I'm not sure if it's suppose to be memory for Vista OS-centric graphics like menus and what not)

 

1) The maximum VRAM it can use is 384MB, although it is dynamically allocated.
2) It is dependent on the driver
3) Given that VRAM allocation is controlled by the driver, there is no way to manually change it; old IGPs such as the Radeon 9100 had such a feature and other IGPs have the option in the BIOS, but this feature is no longer present in today's laptops because it doesn't affect performance at *all*. It's better to just save the RAM for Vista's Superfetch feature or for applications.
4) No.

 

1. The GMA 4500MHD can use up to 1759MB of memory
2. 1GB is maximum on XP, 1759MB on Vista, there could be specific manufacturer settings to limit it but I doubt it
3. Just leave it alone, the system does dynamic allocation anyway
4. The maximum you can get is 1759MB with 3GB of RAM. I think with 2GB RAM is ~1100 and with 1GB its 784.

 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_x4500hd&num=1

According to these sources, the X4500 and X4500MHD can only handle up to 384MB of VRAM.

 

That's the thing. The previous IGP, the X3100 uses similar drivers and uses 384MB so they assume it uses 384MB. Those sources are incorrect.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-029090.htm

On the chart: "Maximum Graphics Memory in Vista 2GB"

But its really 1759MB because laptop specifications say so.

http://www.intel.com/performance/mobile/dighome/perf_config.htm

In 2GB configuration the VRAM varies from 781MB to 829MB

Download the PDF here: http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-graphics-media-accelerator-developers-guide/

According to PDF, VRAM >512MB. I've seen this before GMA 4500 came out.

http://uk.gateway.com/products/compare.html?type=notebook
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satel...h-Processor/dp/product-description/B001GQ39NM

 

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Much appreciated!

I've yet another question though. I came across certain laptops with the Intel 4500mhd, which said that it had 32/64mb dedicated VRAM. Does it mean that only 32/64mb of the system RAM will be used & no more? I'm confused by what 'dedicated' means here?

Also wanted to know - How do the Ati 3200, Nvidia 9100m or 8400m gs stack up against the Intel IGP for 3d work? I know I should probably be aiming for dedicated graphics but I'm on a shoe-string budget atm.

Thanks!

 

The x4500hd is only 64bit. So it won't be able to use all 384 mb of vram because its data transfer bus is too limited.

 

You are right in 99% of the applications it won't even use 384MB of the VRAM. You are incorrect in saying its 64-bit. It is 64-bit but its dual channel so its effectively 128-bit.

But there are few niche applications demonstrated that will use it. Things like less demanding 3D like Google Earth running on 4200x3000 resolution screen or video playback.

For fun fact, on the X3000 Crysis at 1024x768 and everything high settings(texture medium) will use ~300-350MB of VRAM just looking around.

kidrow: dedicated means that the specific portion said by the manufacturer of the notebook will permanently used for video RAM. And no, the 4500HD will allocate more as it needs.

Pure 3D wise the ATI/Nvidia IGPs are superior.

 

Thanks for your replies all of you.

Would the above hold true for a discrete GPU with 64bit bus?

Would it be the same for a 8400m gs with dedicated graphics RAM [It's not an IGP, right?] - i.e. would it be able to use system RAM if required?

How much better? Enough to justify shelling out a bit extra for 'em?

 

1. I think he's referring to the dual channel connection of the actual system RAM itself, remember the 4500 uses the main RAM pool to take some RAM and use it specfically as video RAM.

2. 8400 GS is not an IGP, depending on the model, most have 256 MB of dedicated VRAM, even still, one with 128 MB of VRAM will get better performance than any 4500 IGP no matter it's VRAM allocation.

3. Yes, they are worth shelling out the extra moola for them, they are vastly superior. The Radeon HD 3200 IGP is about 2x as powerful, the 8400GS should be about 1.5x to 2x as powerful than the 4500 as well. If you want to play any games, getting a lappy with a 4500 is like shooting yourself in the foot, because you have to worry about a game even being compatible with it, then you have to worry about the IGP even having the ability to run it with good enough performance to be playable at minimum settings.

 

Its a tradeoff though. There aren't many laptops which can run a dedicated graphics card while maintaining a good battery life and a light weight/thin size.

 

That's why I wish more companies would pick up on the switchable graphics. So far only Lenovo, Sony and Alienware have adopted this...

 

It's more expensive though.

 

Thanks for all your help you guys. Cleared up a lot of confusion.

So the Nvidia 8400m gs or the Ati 3200 are the way to go.

But do any laptops come with both an Intel C2D processor & the Ati 3200? I've yet to come across one. The Ones with the Ati 3200 seem to come with only AMD processors.

Thanks.

 

Well ATI was bought by AMD, the last intel chipset with an ATI chip was the ATI X1250...now all ATIs come with AMD processors. And only HP I think sells them.