How to increase RAM for ATI Radeon HD 4200?

[Gata]

Hello, SevenForums.
I was recently working with Adobe Illustrator (rendering 3d) when it told me that there was not enough Graphics Memory available (I have an IGP w/ 256 mb of RAM allocated to it). I have tried to increase it in the BIOS, to no avail, as there was not an option.
So, the question is: How can I increase the amount of RAM dedicated to my IGP?
Here are the specs of my comp:
OS: Win 7 Ultimate
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 810
GPU (Integrated Graphics): ATI Radeon HD 4200, 256 mb of allocated system RAM.
RAM: 8 GB
BIOS Version: America Megatrends Inc. 5.03, 9/11/2009
SMBIOS Version: 2.6
This is a Desktop running CS3 w/ a 300w PSU. I'm not in the position to swap it out.
Thanks in advance!

 

[PooMan UK]

Pal this is only a recommendation, but if you are serious about graphics in any way shape or form I'd get a add on graphics card. (won't cost a fortune if you shop around)
Whilst you may be running out of GPU memory you're also taking vital resources away by sharing your memory with the on board GPU. According to your specs you do have allot of memory, but your GPU is always going to be your bottle neck .... soz just my 2 pence worth, but I've been doing graphics for a long time now and sometimes you will appreciate every bit of memory you can lay your hands on

 

[sygnus21]

What version of "Adobe Illustrator (rendering 3d)" are you using? As for allocating more RAM to the video card, it can't be done, but you can allocate more system RAM for the program to use, but that would be done at the program's level through the options/preferences settings. Also, i'm not even sure that card meets the minimum requirements but...

System Requirements

Windows

• Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor
• Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 3; Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1; or Windows 7
• 1GB of RAM
• 2GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash-based storage devices)
• 1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
• DVD-ROM drive†
• Broadband Internet connection required for online services*

Adobe Illustrator CS5 - https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/st...ations/Illustrator&view=ols_prod&store=OLS-US

By the way, is this a laptop or desktop?

 

[Gata]

Running Illustrator CS3 on an HP Desktop.

 

[Gata]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a GPU that does not need a dedicated power connector and has a minimum psu rating of 300W? I'm also okay with Nvidia.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Hello, SevenForums.
I was recently working with Adobe Illustrator (rendering 3d) when it told me that there was not enough Graphics Memory available (I have an IGP w/ 256 mb of RAM allocated to it). I have tried to increase it in the BIOS, to no avail, as there was not an option.
So, the question is: How can I increase the amount of RAM dedicated to my IGP?
Here are the specs of my comp:
OS: Win 7 Ultimate
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 810
GPU (Integrated Graphics): ATI Radeon HD 4200, 256 mb of allocated system RAM.
RAM: 8 GB
BIOS Version: America Megatrends Inc. 5.03, 9/11/2009
SMBIOS Version: 2.6
This is a Desktop running CS3
Thanks in advance!

You might consider an ATi HD 4550 it's requirements are a free PCI E x16 slot, 300 watt psu around $120

 

[sygnus21]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a GPU that does not need a dedicated power connector and has a minimum psu rating of 300W? I'm also okay with Nvidia.

You might consider an ATi HD 4850 it's requirements are a free PCI E x16 slot, 450 watt psu with 75 watt 6 pin connector around $120

That's not going to meet his needs. At any rate I can't think of anything off the top of my head at the moment.

 

[ccatlett1984]

Well, I was slow typing on this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103104&cm_re=ati-_-14-103-104-_-Product

The min rec. power supply is 400W, but you might be able to get away with your 300w for a while if you only have one hard drive and one optical drive. You can get a decent psu for cheap though, if it will fit that HP case, that is.

 

[sygnus21]

There are two cards that come to mind...

Amazon.com: EVGA 01G-P3-N945-LR GeForce 9400 GT 1GB DDR2 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card: Electronics

Amazon.com: MSI ATI Radeon HD4670 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card R4670-MD1G: Electronics

However you need to know if you need PCIE or AGP??? One can't fit in the other so...??? This is where system specs helps....mainly motherboard.

Thanks

 

[ccatlett1984]

The OP needs pci-e, and I would stay with an ATI based card. As they can run hybrid crossfire with the IGP that is on this motherboard.

 

[PooMan UK]

However you need to know if you need PCIE or AGP??? One can't fit in the other so...??? This is where system specs helps....mainly motherboard.

Thanks

He did give his specs ...

Foxconn A85GM

But I agree the cards you have recommended will help the OP considerably ... but the 300W PSU is a bit of a concern

 

[stormy13]

Gata unfortunately HP in their infinite wisdom (or stupidity depending on how you want to look at it) and how they like to lock down bioses and block features regardless of how useful they may be, have blocked out that particular setting. Straight from the page for the motherboard in your computer,

Motherboard Specifications, H-RS880-uATX (Aloe) HP Pavilion p6230f Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

*Integrated video is not available if a graphics card is installed.
Up to 256MB dedicated memory

If it wasn't blocked away it depending on which bios was used on the board, (AMI, Phoenix, etc) the options would look something like this,



That is from the manual for my 780G board, but with the same features as what should be on yours. Not only did they block off any options for increasing the memory, I would bet they also blocked off the Surround View option (when used with an ATI card, you can use up to 4 monitors).

Been quite a few good recommendations for a low power card that should be OK with that 300 W PSU, and here is another one,

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100294L Radeon HD 5550 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

edit: Just went here,

eXtreme Outer Vision - eXtreme tools for computer enthusiasts

and using the specs for his computer it should be OK upt to the 5670 (ther calculator recommends minimum of 224W).

PooMan, the board may have been made by Foxconn, but half the options available on the real Foxconn board are locked or blocked away by HP.

 

[ccatlett1984]

I would bet they also blocked off the Surround View option (when used with an ATI card, you can use up to 4 monitors).

Surround view is hybrid crossfire. Its controlled in the ATI control panel, not the bios.

Up until the 5000 series cards, the max you could support from one card was 2 monitors, so you would have two running from the onboard graphics and two on the add-in card.

 

[stormy13]

I would bet they also blocked off the Surround View option (when used with an ATI card, you can use up to 4 monitors).

Surround view is hybrid crossfire. Its controlled in the ATI control panel, not the bios.

Up until the 5000 series cards, the max you could support from one card was 2 monitors, so you would have two running from the onboard graphics and two on the add-in card.

You're confusing Surround View with Eyefinity which is HD 5xxx series only. Surround View is available on any just about any board, with as far as I know at least the HD 3200 onboard video and when paired with an ATI card you can run up to 4 monitors with 2 connected to the card and 2 to the onboard (and yes I have used it on mine). The setting is also in the bios, not CCC.

 

[ccatlett1984]

I would bet they also blocked off the Surround View option (when used with an ATI card, you can use up to 4 monitors).

Surround view is hybrid crossfire. Its controlled in the ATI control panel, not the bios.

Up until the 5000 series cards, the max you could support from one card was 2 monitors, so you would have two running from the onboard graphics and two on the add-in card.

You're confusing Surround View with Eyefinity which is HD 5xxx series only. Surround View is available on any just about any board, with as far as I know at least the HD 3200 onboard video and when paired with an ATI card you can run up to 4 monitors with 2 connected to the card and 2 to the onboard (and yes I have used it on mine). The setting is also in the bios, not CCC.

I am not confusing them. I was explaining how surround view worked compared to eyefinity. Notice how my post matches yours.

 

[sygnus21]

Uhhh.. to get back on point...

However you need to know if you need PCIE or AGP??? One can't fit in the other so...??? This is where system specs helps....mainly motherboard.

Thanks

He did give his specs ...

Foxconn A85GM

But I agree the cards you have recommended will help the OP considerably ... but the 300W PSU is a bit of a concern

OK....So is it AGP or PCI??? I'm not familiar with the board or Foxconn. Sorry.

 

[stormy13]

PCI-E,

Motherboard Specifications, H-RS880-uATX (Aloe) HP Pavilion p6230f Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[ccatlett1984]

Yes a 5550 or the 5670 that I linked to will work. Sorry for getting off-topic.

 

[sygnus21]

Yes a 5550 or the 5670 that I linked to will work. Sorry for getting off-topic.

Or anyone of these depending on budget

There are two cards that come to mind...

Amazon.com: EVGA 01G-P3-N945-LR GeForce 9400 GT 1GB DDR2 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card: Electronics

Amazon.com: MSI ATI Radeon HD4670 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card R4670-MD1G: Electronics

 

[ccatlett1984]

I'll say again. STICK TO ATI!!!!

If you ever want to use both the onboard and the add-in card, they will both have to be ATI. Running hydbrid crossfire will net improvements in render speed, even greater than just the add-in card.