RAM as video memory?

jaypels · 19 Mar 2011

I do not know if I posted this one the right thread so if I posted it incorrectly, can the mods please transfer this to the correct one? Thanks!

Here's my question. My girlfriend has a netbook (brand does not matter - only the specs). It has an Atom N455 and 2gb of DDR3 memory. She has always been complaining about the poor or if not non-existent Aero looks of her Starter. She does not want the best Aero graphics of the Ultimate version. Just enough for her netbook not to look like a mass-produced, cheap (which really it is) gadget. She had a chance to have a genuine copy of Home Premium and immediately grabbed it. She had her friend install it for her and after all was said and done, she was still not satisfied because it still looked like a Starter (mainly because her netbook had no onboard graphics).

My question is, is there a way to convert let's say 512mb of those 2gb of RAM into graphics memory? I know it is asking much but she wants atleast a bit of those Aero looks so she can change wallpapers, have her preinstalled games not lag because of some hardware acceleration issues, transparent taskbar (if possible) and most importantly, change her screen resolution?

Thanks!

stormy13 · 19 Mar 2011

mainly because her netbook had no onboard graphics

Yes it does. All computers do or you wouldn't see anything at all.

My girlfriend has a netbook (brand does not matter - only the specs). It has an Atom N455 and 2gb of DDR3 memory.

Yes it does. At least with the make and model we can see whether it is using the graphics integrated into the CPU,

Intel® Atom

or something else. If it is the integrated graphics then was the Intel graphics driver installed for it?

jaypels · 19 Mar 2011

Oh. Got schooled twice.

Anyway, since even the manufacturer still has not uploaded the netbook's specs into it's site, I'm going to give you a link to another site. Neo Basic B3362N I hope that helps. Based on another site, these are its specs PC Corner Online but based on the the manufacturer's site, this model succeeds this model NEO Manufacturing and Services, Inc. - Laptop, Notebook, Netbook so I think the GMA 3150 is correct.

stormy13 · 19 Mar 2011

That helps. Not only does the manufacturer not have the specs, they don't have any downloads for it either. Closest they have is here,

NEO Manufacturing and Services, Inc. - Laptop, Notebook, Netbook

the video drivers should work on yours from looking at the specs for the B3375 and B3360 N, as both have the same Atom 455 in them. If it doesn't you can always try the reference Intel driver for it. You didn't specify 32 0r 64 bit so,

32 bit - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...50%29&lang=eng

64 bit - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...50%29&lang=eng

As for changing how much ram can be allocated to the graphics, I doubt it unless there is an option in the bios for it. Intel has been using dynamic memory allocation for their graphics for a while now, that bases the amount allocated on total system ram. As I understand it allocates a base amount based on system ram (usually 64 MB from what I have seen), and then scales up based on video usage.

jaypels · 19 Mar 2011

Sorry I forgot to mention it's 32bit. I'll download the Intel drivers you gave me and try it to install it on her netbook tomorrow. I'll give you a feedback after that. Thanks!

jaypels · 20 Mar 2011

Just got back and the tricked worked! Thank you stormy13! Though I still have not installed the Wifi and Webcam drivers due to time constraints, atleast she is happy now with her netbook and guess what? It even has winflip which she really loves! Thank you!!