HWMonitor VRAM Usage Question

[1405]

I'm trying to determine how much VRAM my card uses while running various games. I had HWM running while doing the Metro LL built-in benchmark at near max settings, and it showed 3 results for GPU memory;
- GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 696 MB
- GPU D3D Memory Dynamic: 124 MB
- GPU Memory Controller Utilization: 97.0%
(all values are in the max column)

Am I to assume that I am utilizing nearly all of my VRAM (97%!) at 1080p or...
that I am only using 696 MB out of 4 GB?

CPU: FX-6300
GPU: R9-290X

 

[kgrevemberg]

Probably much closer to the 4gig mark. On max settings you are definitely using all your ram

 

[chris987]

for accurate gpu monitoring i would prefer gpu z .it will provide all the info you need!

 

[k1114]

Hwm isn't good for that sort of monitoring. I use msi ab.

 

[1405]

for accurate gpu monitoring i would prefer gpu z .it will provide all the info you need!

I used GPU-Z, set it to record max memory, and it pretty much agreed with HWM; 667 MB

 

[1405]

Hwm isn't good for that sort of monitoring. I use msi ab.

Does MSI AB allow recording max values so I don't have to keep AB running on another monitor while the benchmark is running?

 

[chris987]

for accurate gpu monitoring i would prefer gpu z .it will provide all the info you need!

I used GPU-Z, set it to record max memory, and it pretty much agreed with HWM; 667 MB

GPU Memory Controller Utilization: 97.0%

you can still fully utilize the memory controller without using all the amount of avaliable video memory. however such game requires easily above 1 gb at max settings. ensure you have the latest gpu drivers and make sure gpu reaches max clocks and max gpu usage.! what is your actual performance? also please state your mobo - psu and cpu cooler you are using and also get a track of your cpu temps.!

 

[1405]

you can still fully utilize the memory controller without using all the amount of avaliable video memory. however such game requires easily above 1 gb at max settings. ensure you have the latest gpu drivers and make sure gpu reaches max clocks and max gpu usage.! what is your actual performance? also please state your mobo - psu and cpu cooler you are using and also get a track of your cpu temps.!

OK, if you want all that info... this is the results during the Metro LL benchmark run.

Yes, I'm using the latest driver; 15.7.1
Yes, the GPU reaches its rated max clock speed; 1050 MHz
GPU Utilization: 100%
GPU D3D Usage: 100%
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 696MB
Board: Asrock 990FX Extreme 6
PSU: Rosewill H.I.V.E. 750W
Cooler: Corsair H60
Max CPU temp during benchmark run: 51.8C
This is my actual performance in the benchmark run:

 

[k1114]

Do you have vram usage issues in other games?

 

[chris987]

your hardware is fine and your performance is good so although the amount of vram used seems low but you are actually far from max settings. it can hardly be called a problem, or a false reading! try maxing out every possible graphic option, im sure it will climb at 1gb.!

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/metro_last_light_graphics_performance_review_benchmark,8.html

 

[renz496]

Try using different games. Even better if you could test game such as ACU, Dying Light, SoM (with high/ultra texture) to name a few

 

[1405]

Do you have vram usage issues in other games?

Issues? If you mean low VRAM usage, nothing uses even 2 GB at max settings at 1080p. Yet everything runs smooth and with high fps and crisp graphics. I'm thinking folks may be over estimating the amount of VRAM they think their cards actually need/use. I guess I can believe the HWM and GPU-Z results after all.

Bioshock Infinite at max settings:
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 1806 MB

Hitman Absolution at Ultra (max) settings:
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 1263 MB

Tomb Raider (2013) at Ultimate (max) settings:
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 1192 MB

I ran Heaven and Valley benchmarks too. Since they are designed to maximize graphics.
Heaven (max settings):
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 1226 MB
Valley (max settings):
GPU D3D Memory Dedicated: 1320 MB

In all the above scenarios, the card's memory controller was at 90% - 100% usage.

 

[1405]

your hardware is fine and your performance is good so although the amount of vram used seems low but you are actually far from max settings. it can hardly be called a problem, or a false reading! try maxing out every possible graphic option, im sure it will climb at 1gb.!

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/metro_last_light_graphics_performance_review_benchmark,8.html

The above Metro LL benchmark with all settings at their max:
MSI AB shows ~765 MB max Memory usage
HWM shows 844 MB D3D Memory Dedicated

...and unplayable fps.