The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Shared RAM forced into Dedicated RAM

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Romanian, Aug 3, 2007.

  1. Romanian

    Romanian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    41
    Messages:
    448
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I don't have a GPU with shared RAM, but I was wondering about this, and it seemed interesting to think about.

    Let's say I have a system with capability of 3GB RAM, and I don't care about dual-channel optimization, so I only put one stick of 2GB in one slot. One thing I do care about is gaming, and my GPU has 512mb vRAM, up to 1GB shared. So I decide to get another stick of RAM. Problem is I only have a 1GB stick remaining.

    Would I be able to make it so that 512mb is used as normal RAM, and the remaining 512mb is forced to be in CONSTANT use by the GPU? In the BIOS or something. I would think that it would boost up your gaming performance. Maybe not with a 1GB stick, but a 512mb stick which is all dedicated to your GPU.

    Is this possible or not?
     
    Romanian, Aug 3, 2007
    #1
  2. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    2,278
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Your GPU will not utilize the shared ram unless it runs out of dedicated ram, and with 512mb in your vRam already, that is not going to be particularly often. It is possible to section 512mb of ram for available use by the GPU, but I doubt it is possible to select specific DIMMs (sticks) for use. So, in reality, if you did need that shared ram it might end up taking the data from your 2GB stick.
     
    StormEffect, Aug 3, 2007
    #2
  3. baddogboxer

    baddogboxer Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    144
    Messages:
    1,092
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    baddogboxer, Aug 3, 2007
    #3
  4. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    most cards don't get a benefit beyond 256 megs of ram. some benefit a few percent from 512. an hd 2900 / 8800 series card can make good use of 512.
     
    masterchef341, Aug 3, 2007
    #4