Windows 7's shared video ram settings

M0nk3m4n · Dec 19, 2010, 12:34 AM

Ok...now first off, my BIOS has nothing about allocating shared video amounts.
I've seen people asking how to lower the shared ram amount in Windows 7 on other
forums & getting this reply. It's not about the BIOS or system here.

In Windows XP, if you have an onboard video card, then you can adjust the shared
video ram, sure. But I have a Radeon 4850HD with 512mb of 1Ghz ram, so if it's
actually allocating this 768mb of my whole 2gb system ram when something "needs it",
it's probably unnecessary as I only have a 1280x1024 display. So my priority for video
is about making the most of a small picture rather than feeding multi-2560x1600, lol

So obviously, my question is just how does one go about disabling shared video ram?

iPlayer · Dec 19, 2010, 02:03 AM

If it's the hypermemory thing don't worry about it, as it doesn't actually reserve it like in the past. It's only used when required and if available.

blibbax · Dec 19, 2010, 01:17 PM

As iPlayer says, best to ignore this. Most of the time the video card won't touch your system memory. The capability is there just in case the GPU happens to find itself wanting a shit load of memory, while the CPU doesn't.

M0nk3m4n · Dec 20, 2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPlayer

If it's the hypermemory thing don't worry about it, as it doesn't actually reserve it like in the past. It's only used when required and if available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

As iPlayer says, best to ignore this. Most of the time the video card won't touch your system memory. The capability is there just in case the GPU happens to find itself wanting a shit load of memory, while the CPU doesn't.

Oh ok, well I suppose that's good enough. I just wish it actually had the option to turn this stuff off.
It was so nice having the capability to be IN CHARGE of the PC, y'know? I mean I did kinda pay for it after all.
haha
Well anyway, thanks for the info fellas. Good to know that it won't be screwing anything up anyway.
-Doug

mkk · Dec 20, 2010, 03:07 PM

Yeah, but it's not a bad idea to get some more RAM anyway.

Santa provide?

Judas · Dec 20, 2010, 07:12 PM

do not worry.. rarely have i ever seen any indication that windows 7 has actually started using physical ram even under the most stressful resolution...

it's like a backup system... never gets used and most people don't even know if it really works either.

M0nk3m4n · Dec 21, 2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkk

Yeah, but it's not a bad idea to get some more RAM anyway.

Santa provide?

Hey man, I'm just trying to keep the cash together for bills & FOOD, haha
Not to mention, I don't need any more than 2 gig for anything I do, lol. Internet,
Flash, few old games, scan artwork, Winamp...watch movies. That's about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

do not worry.. rarely have i ever seen any indication that windows 7 has actually started using physical ram even under the most stressful resolution...

it's like a backup system... never gets used and most people don't even know if it really works either.

Sounds good, wish it was hidden so I wouldn't have even thought about it, lol

Judas · Dec 22, 2010, 03:39 PM

meh... since the agp days, there had always been provided the video card was designed for it, a set amount of agp texturing using physical ram reserve set aside..

it's just that with windows vista and 7... that amount of ram set for reserve is gigantic....

The more physical ram.. the more reserve it makes...

you should see the amount available for reserve with 24gb of ram installed.

M0nk3m4n · Dec 26, 2010, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

meh... since the agp days, there had always been provided the video card was designed for it, a set amount of agp texturing using physical ram reserve set aside..

it's just that with windows vista and 7... that amount of ram set for reserve is gigantic....

The more physical ram.. the more reserve it makes...

you should see the amount available for reserve with 24gb of ram installed.

Wouldn't matter, I won't be needing 24gb. Probably ever, lol

blibbax · Dec 26, 2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0nk3m4n

Wouldn't matter, I won't be needing 24gb. Probably ever, lol

Remember it wasn't all that long ago that 128MB was the norm :P

That's one sixteenth of what you might find in a mediocre PC purchased today...

Dec 19, 2010, 12:34 AM	#1
M0nk3m4n HardwareHeaven Fanboy :D Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: A world of stupidity. Posts: 125 Rep Power: 28 System Specs	Windows 7's shared video ram settings Ok...now first off, my BIOS has nothing about allocating shared video amounts. I've seen people asking how to lower the shared ram amount in Windows 7 on other forums & getting this reply. It's not about the BIOS or system here. In Windows XP, if you have an onboard video card, then you can adjust the shared video ram, sure. But I have a Radeon 4850HD with 512mb of 1Ghz ram, so if it's actually allocating this 768mb of my whole 2gb system ram when something "needs it", it's probably unnecessary as I only have a 1280x1024 display. So my priority for video is about making the most of a small picture rather than feeding multi-2560x1600, lol So obviously, my question is just how does one go about disabling shared video ram? __________________ Try Rockbox for MP3 players (example: videos, full Classic Doom, etc. on Nano 2G) Technics SA-EX310 (+Z-5500 speakers) on Creative SB X-Fi Fatal1ty Professional

Dec 19, 2010, 02:03 AM	#2
iPlayer Filled with noobsauce Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: between the buns Posts: 1,450 Rep Power: 59	Re: Windows 7's shared video ram settings If it's the hypermemory thing don't worry about it, as it doesn't actually reserve it like in the past. It's only used when required and if available.

Dec 19, 2010, 01:17 PM	#3
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,262 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: Windows 7's shared video ram settings As iPlayer says, best to ignore this. Most of the time the video card won't touch your system memory. The capability is there just in case the GPU happens to find itself wanting a shit load of memory, while the CPU doesn't. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Dec 20, 2010, 03:07 PM	#5
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Windows 7's shared video ram settings Yeah, but it's not a bad idea to get some more RAM anyway. Santa provide?