6520G not using all 512MB of VRAM

[DukeEdwardI]

I've noticed that my 6520G (part of the AMD A6-3410MX mobile APU) is not using all 512MB of VRAM (taken from the system RAM) that is allocated to it. I have 8GB of RAM running in dual channel mode. The GPU seems to use different amounts of RAM depending on the game.

I played a few games for about 10 minutes each and monitored the GPU VRAM usage (the Memory Usage (Dedicated) sensor) with GPU-Z. Payday: The Heist only uses about 150MB. Killing Floor uses 400MB. Borderlands 2 uses 300-350MB. Strange thing with Killing Floor, the GPU's core clock only ran at 275mhz (it's resting state) with split second spikes up to 400mhz (it's full power state).

So is this sort of weird, varied VRAM usage normal with all video cards? Or is my laptop overheating and automatically limiting the GPU?

 

[i7Baby]

It uses as much as it needs to. If you are running a low res monitor it won't need much.

 

[DukeEdwardI]

I'm usually running games at 1366x768 or 1280x720. I guess I thought that games used all the power that was available to it, not just what it needed. That's too bad, it would be nice to utilize that unused VRAM to get a better framerate or increased detail/textures.

Oh, and for reference:
AMD A6-3410MX Quad-Core (1.6ghz per core, 2.3 turbo)
AMD 6520G integrated graphics
8GB DDR3 RAM (Dual Channel)
Windows 7 64-bit

 

[i7Baby]

To use higher settings or get better fps, you need a better gpu.

 

[DukeEdwardI]

Right, obviously. Wasn't aware that it's normal for games not to use all the VRAM available.