How to change amount of VRAM???

MrPotato1990

New member
After installing windows 7, I noticed a decreased in performance, especially in gaming. At first I was not sure what is wrong, but when I install PES 2010, it says that my GPU VRAM does not meet the minimum requirement.

I have a 256MB RAM, but windows show me that I only have 64MB dedicated GPU VRAM.

I am well aware that we can change this setting in BIOS, but I have a different BIOS setup menu. I cannot change the amount of dedicated VRAM.

I'm using Compaq CQ40... Is there any other way to change/override the setting other than using BIOS?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett-Packard/Compaq Presario CQ40 154-TU Notebook PC
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate Build 7600
CPU
Intel (R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800
Motherboard
Compal
Memory
2.0GB
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
Monitor(s) Displays
Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Screen Resolution
1280 x 768
Keyboard
OCZ Alchemy Elixir
Mouse
Microsoft Sidewinder X3 Mouse (IntelliPoint)
After installing windows 7, I noticed a decreased in performance, especially in gaming. At first I was not sure what is wrong, but when I install PES 2010, it says that my GPU VRAM does not meet the minimum requirement.

I have a 256MB RAM, but windows show me that I only have 64MB dedicated GPU VRAM.

I am well aware that we can change this setting in BIOS, but I have a different BIOS setup menu. I cannot change the amount of dedicated VRAM.

I'm using Compaq CQ40... Is there any other way to change/override the setting other than using BIOS?


Nope. Dedicated memory (the memory on the chipset) cant be changed. Shared memory can be, but even 256MB is the absolute minimum for win 7 and the various graphic effect will run slowly or not at all
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv-7 1005 Tx
OS
Win 8 Release candidate 8400
CPU
[email protected]
Memory
4 gigs
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9600M
Sound Card
HD built-in
Monitor(s) Displays
17" Wxga
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Cooling
none
Internet Speed
45Mb down 5Mb up
After installing windows 7, I noticed a decreased in performance, especially in gaming. At first I was not sure what is wrong, but when I install PES 2010, it says that my GPU VRAM does not meet the minimum requirement.

I have a 256MB RAM, but windows show me that I only have 64MB dedicated GPU VRAM.

I am well aware that we can change this setting in BIOS, but I have a different BIOS setup menu. I cannot change the amount of dedicated VRAM.

I'm using Compaq CQ40... Is there any other way to change/override the setting other than using BIOS?

The drivers for your graphics, are you using the ones from the manufactures site (nVidia, ATI, Intel) or from Compaq's/HP's site?

HP/Compaq's (one in the same) drivers tend to have different settings such as how much system RAM to use and whatnot. I suggest you use those if you are not already.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom | Whitebox
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate, OS X 10.7, Ubuntu 11.04
CPU
Intel E6750 @ 3.80GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L (Revision 1.1)
Memory
2x2GB & 2x1GB (6GB) OCZ Reaper 1066MHz @ 1080MHz
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA nVidia GTX 260 896mb (216 Core) FTW Edition
Sound Card
Realtek ALC888
Monitor(s) Displays
21" VIZIO TV
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Western Digital WD6401AALS - 640GB
Hitachi HDP725016GLA380 - 160GB
PSU
Corsair 750W
Case
NZXT Nemesis Elite
Cooling
Thermaltake SpinQ
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless S520
Mouse
Logitech Wireless S520 - Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse
Internet Speed
Download: 20mbps, Upload: 3mbps
Isn't dedicated VRAM technically shared ram from the system?

You (should) have the option to change the amount of shared VRAM in BIOS -- but if your chipset limitation is 256MB, then you can't do anything over that. If the application you mention is stating that you have 64MB, then your BIOS setting for VRAM is set too low and you should be able to increase the setting to its max, 256MB. That setting, I'm sure you're aware of, is not dependant upon what driver version of the display adapter, but rather the version of the BIOS itself. It should give you settings similar to: 32, 64, 128, 256, etc for your VRAM.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Rig 1
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition @ 3.4GHz (AM2+)
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (AM2+)
Memory
Corsair CM2X4096-8500C5 (4 X 2GB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5770 / Diamond Radeon HD 5770 CrossFireX
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DS (PCI)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 932bw+ (3)
Screen Resolution
4320x900
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 80 GB - Windows 7 System --
WD Caviar Black 1TB - Music, Movies, Vids, Pics --
WD Caviar Black 640GB - User Profiles & Games --
WD My Book 320GB external
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-750TX
Case
Cooler Master HAF 932
Cooling
Corsair Hydro Series H50
Keyboard
Logitech Desktop Wave
Mouse
Logitech LX8 Laser
Internet Speed
20 down / 2 up
Other Info
LG GGC-H20L Blu-Ray / HDDVD combo --
Hauppauge HVR-1250 --
Silverstone MFP-51 --
Logitech Webcam C600
Isn't dedicated VRAM technically shared ram from the system?

You (should) have the option to change the amount of shared VRAM in BIOS -- but if your chipset limitation is 256MB, then you can't do anything over that. If the application you mention is stating that you have 64MB, then your BIOS setting for VRAM is set too low and you should be able to increase the setting to its max, 256MB. That setting, I'm sure you're aware of, is not dependant upon what driver version of the display adapter, but rather the version of the BIOS itself. It should give you settings similar to: 32, 64, 128, 256, etc for your VRAM.

Most OEM's do not allow extensive BIOS options. That is an option I've not seen in HP/Compaq BIOS's. :(
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom | Whitebox
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate, OS X 10.7, Ubuntu 11.04
CPU
Intel E6750 @ 3.80GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L (Revision 1.1)
Memory
2x2GB & 2x1GB (6GB) OCZ Reaper 1066MHz @ 1080MHz
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA nVidia GTX 260 896mb (216 Core) FTW Edition
Sound Card
Realtek ALC888
Monitor(s) Displays
21" VIZIO TV
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Western Digital WD6401AALS - 640GB
Hitachi HDP725016GLA380 - 160GB
PSU
Corsair 750W
Case
NZXT Nemesis Elite
Cooling
Thermaltake SpinQ
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless S520
Mouse
Logitech Wireless S520 - Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse
Internet Speed
Download: 20mbps, Upload: 3mbps
Most OEM's do not allow extensive BIOS options. That is an option I've not seen in HP/Compaq BIOS's. :(

I understand that... I had an HP many moons ago, although I know not BIOS's are created equal. And, as far as I know, the ability to change VRAM settings is not an extensive change...

I have a Compaq SR1200NX that I'm actually using right now -- within its BIOS I have the option to change the shared video memory. Its max is 128MBm -- so I can never share more than that, but I can go down -- down to 8MB! -- but not off altogether. That is the point I was trying to make.

Most, of course not all, OEM machines with IGP give you the option to set the amount of shared video memory. If the OP has a chipset that supports 256MB yet Windows only shows 64, something is set too low -- and in my experience, it is not with the Windows drivers, but the BIOS itself. Maybe the OP needs to download a BIOS update from HP's site.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Rig 1
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition @ 3.4GHz (AM2+)
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (AM2+)
Memory
Corsair CM2X4096-8500C5 (4 X 2GB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5770 / Diamond Radeon HD 5770 CrossFireX
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DS (PCI)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 932bw+ (3)
Screen Resolution
4320x900
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 80 GB - Windows 7 System --
WD Caviar Black 1TB - Music, Movies, Vids, Pics --
WD Caviar Black 640GB - User Profiles & Games --
WD My Book 320GB external
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-750TX
Case
Cooler Master HAF 932
Cooling
Corsair Hydro Series H50
Keyboard
Logitech Desktop Wave
Mouse
Logitech LX8 Laser
Internet Speed
20 down / 2 up
Other Info
LG GGC-H20L Blu-Ray / HDDVD combo --
Hauppauge HVR-1250 --
Silverstone MFP-51 --
Logitech Webcam C600
The drivers for your graphics, are you using the ones from the manufactures site (nVidia, ATI, Intel) or from Compaq's/HP's site?

HP/Compaq's (one in the same) drivers tend to have different settings such as how much system RAM to use and whatnot. I suggest you use those if you are not already.

I'm using the driver from Intel's. It is automatically updated in windows update. I've already go to Compaq's site, and they only have the Nvidia and Intel's driver for graphics.

I have a friend using acer. His BIOS setting allow him to change the amount of VRAM. I was quite frustrated with my BIOS menu. I was wondering if there is any other way to tweak or change the amount of VRAM without using BIOS.. I have already updated my BIOS from Compaq's website.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett-Packard/Compaq Presario CQ40 154-TU Notebook PC
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate Build 7600
CPU
Intel (R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800
Motherboard
Compal
Memory
2.0GB
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
Monitor(s) Displays
Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Screen Resolution
1280 x 768
Keyboard
OCZ Alchemy Elixir
Mouse
Microsoft Sidewinder X3 Mouse (IntelliPoint)
i have lenovo z370 notebook, with 4gb ram and an intel hd graphic 1gb sharing. but my video ram is 64mb .ive search in bios but i cannnot find the setting to the Vram. could someone help me?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
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