Integrated Graphics Memory Confusion

G550 · 24 Aug 2010

Ok. I feel pretty stupid. But still.
I just upgraded to 7 from XP, two days ago.
And try as I might I can not find where to change my integrated graphics, or even figure out how much memory I have.
There's nothing about it in the BIOS. Advanced settings from 'Control Panel/All Control Panel Items/Display/Screen Resolution' says:

Total Available Graphics Memory: 1695MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 32MB
System Video Memory: 32MB
Shared System Memory: 1631MB

So do I have 32MB of memory? Or 1631MB? Or 1663MB? And how do I change how much I have?
Thanks for any help available, disbelieving abuse after answers please and thanks.

**cluberti** · 24 Aug 2010

Sounds like the Intel GMA4500MHD video chipset in there is configured with 32MB of dedicated graphics memory, an additional 32MB of system RAM configured for use in non-accelerated system video data processing, and is further set up in the BIOS to share an additional ~1.6GB of system RAM in case it's needed for anything additional (hence 1631+32+32 = 1695MB total graphics memory). These settings are stored in the BIOS, they are not controlled by Windows, so you'd have to go into the BIOS of your machine to modify these settings (if they can even be modified). From what I've heard, the BIOS on these value laptops have very little configuration possible.

thefabe · 25 Aug 2010

From what I've heard, the BIOS on these value laptops have very little configuration possible.

Most of them have a locked bios. Fabe

stormy13 · 25 Aug 2010

cluberti said:

and is further set up in the BIOS to share an additional ~1.6GB of system RAM in case it's needed for anything additional (hence 1631+32+32 = 1695MB total graphics memory).

Almost but not quite. The total is set by Windows not the bios,and is based on the amount of video and system memory,

Video Memory Virtualization - A Brief Guide

In this case the 32 MB of system video memory is memory taken from system memory, and should be unconfigurable by the user either in the bios or Windows. The 32 MB of dedicated video memory in the case of onboard video cards can either be integrated into the video controller (just like a normal video card) or taken from system memory. If it is taken from system memory depending on the bios and video controller can sometimes be changed in the bios, with Intel graphics in most cases it can't and is controlled above the fixed amount by Intel's dynamic video memory technology (DVMT),

Graphics — Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) - How much video memory do I have?

the 3rd number (total graphics memory) is solely controlled by Windows and based on the amount of dedicated and system video memory as well as total system memory.

**cluberti** · 25 Aug 2010

Ah, I see - the BIOS allows the chipset to use main RAM above and beyond the 32MB onboard, which is configurable, but the OS determines how much of that the video chipset actually gets at any one time. +1 for learning something new every day

.

G550 · 25 Aug 2010

Okay, just making sure I understand this.
At any given time I have 32MB (Or 64MB?) of RAM specifically dedicated to graphics.
If I need any more than 32MB (64MB?) it takes up to 1631MB of RAM and gives it back when its no longer needed?