Video Ram is being taken up by something?

[TinyTheMelon]

I have 8GB of Ram on my computer, to start off. That would usually mean I should get around 1GB-2GB dedicated video ram (somewhere around there I guess). So I have 1024 MB video ram, but something is bringing it down to 1010 MB. I seriously have no idea what's doing this, its knocking down the potential I could play some games to. I can't play Skyrim on recommended due to this. Anyone know what could be causing this?
I at least think nothing should be taking it up, since if it where, what would be the point of getting 1024 video ram if its not going to reach 1024.

Note: I am upgrading my Graphics Card sometime in December, knocking the video ram all the way up to 4 GB, but I want to enjoy games at the moment, so any help?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 2Gb video ram is enuff for single monitor playing working. Windows aero theme and eye candy use up memory... set your "visual effects" to lower setting.

What Apps are running on your computer ? they require memory... look at the tools in the 'Task manager' for information about what is running on your computer and using the memory.

 

[TinyTheMelon]

Hello... 2Gb video ram is enuff for single monitor playing working.

I don't even have 2GB I have 1024 which is 1GB of Vram. I'm saying that something, I don't know what, is taking up my 1024, making me unable to play Skyrim on recommended.
(Correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[ThatVietGuy]

I have 8GB of Ram on my computer, to start off. That would usually mean I should get around 1GB-2GB dedicated video ram (somewhere around there I guess).

No, it doesn't...

System RAM is completely separated from GPU VRAM.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... read above... i'm a slow typer... I was suggesting a 2GB Video card upgrade would be enuff... 4GB multi-monitor.

Windows "aero" "visual effects" settings can use up Video ram... set to NONE/Performance and do a re-test.

 

[TinyTheMelon]

I have 8GB of Ram on my computer, to start off. That would usually mean I should get around 1GB-2GB dedicated video ram (somewhere around there I guess).

No, it doesn't...

System RAM is completely separated from GPU VRAM.

Thank you for clarifying that, I really don't know much about Vram, but I think Vram is shared or made up by Total Available Graphics Memory? If not, again, correct me.
The thing is, its bugging me.

 

[photonboy]

Hi,
Your post is not clear.

1) Are you using an iGPU (either onboard or part of an Intel CPU) to which you assign some of your system memory?

2) If so, then the exact amount is set in the motherboard BIOS. If you can assign 2048MB then do so. You seem unclear on how much you have assigned.

If playing Skyrim then carefully tweak the settings while running FRAPS. You may want to disable VSYNC (you'll get screen tearing but probably less stuttering) if you can't maintain 60FPS.

For a low-end GPU I'd also recommend no graphical mods and disable the official HD texture pack. Dropping to 1360x768 can still look pretty good for this game, and is better than running at a low frame rate.

3) Windows desktop will use a certain amount, but if you launch a game in FULLSCREEN (not Windowed) then the game can use almost the entire amount (i.e. 1024MB). The Windows desktop data will be copied into the main System memory and then back again after the game is closed.

4) No idea what you mean by you have 1024MB but something is "bringing it down to 1010MB" but just read what I said above and perhaps it will make sense.

5) When you buy the new graphics card, make sure:
a) The monitor is attached to the card, not the motherboard
b) You see all 8GB available in the Task Manager (if not it may still be assigned to the Intel iGPU... if so you may need to disable that in the motherboard BIOS)

 

[TinyTheMelon]

Hello... read above... i'm a slow typer... I was suggesting a 2GB Video card upgrade would be enuff... 4GB multi-monitor.

Windows "areo" "visual effects" settings can use up Video ram... set to NONE/Performance and do a re-test.

Oh thank you for pointing that out, I only saw a small portion of your comment send for some reason. Ok I'll do it.

 

[photonboy]

Hello... read above... i'm a slow typer... I was suggesting a 2GB Video card upgrade would be enuff... 4GB multi-monitor.

Windows "areo" "visual effects" settings can use up Video ram... set to NONE/Performance and do a re-test.

Oh thank you for pointing that out, I only saw a small portion of your comment send for some reason. Ok I'll do it.

The windows settings don't matter as I said if running FULLSCREEN. Read my comment again if needed.

 

[TinyTheMelon]

Hi,
Your post is not clear.

1) Are you using an iGPU (either onboard or part of an Intel CPU) to which you assign some of your system memory?

2) If so, then the exact amount is set in the motherboard BIOS. If you can assign 2048MB then do so. You seem unclear on how much you have assigned.

If playing Skyrim then carefully tweak the settings while running FRAPS. You may want to disable VSYNC (you'll get screen tearing but probably less stuttering) if you can't maintain 60FPS.

For a low-end GPU I'd also recommend no graphical mods and disable the official HD texture pack. Dropping to 1360x768 can still look pretty good for this game, and is better than running at a low frame rate.

3) Windows desktop will use a certain amount, but if you launch a game in FULLSCREEN (not Windowed) then the game can use almost the entire amount (i.e. 1024MB). The Windows desktop data will be copied into the main System memory and then back again after the game is closed.

4) No idea what you mean by you have 1024MB but something is "bringing it down to 1010MB" but just read what I said above and perhaps it will make sense.

5) When you buy the new graphics card, make sure:
a) The monitor is attached to the card, not the motherboard
b) You see all 8GB available in the Task Manager (if not it may still be assigned to the Intel iGPU... if so you may need to disable that in the motherboard BIOS)

Sorry for not specifying things so clearly on 4. What I mean is, I would go on systemrequirementslab or game-debate, etc. and what would happen is instead of saying I actually have 1024 MB of Vram (or 1GB) it would say I have 1010 MB, like its somehow been reduced, which I don't understand either. Though, when I go to "Screen Resolution" and "advanced settings" it says I have 1024. Since its at 1010MB I can't really play certain games at recommended settings.
This happens all the time, whether I'm running a game or not, as if its glued to 1010MB.

 

[InvalidError]

Get Process Explorer from MSDN, click the resource graph and look at the GPU tab, that should tell you what is using GPU memory.

There will always be some amount reserved for the frame buffer since the GPU needs a memory block to write what is being drawn and going to be displayed during refresh to. The OS may also grab some memory to do off-screen window draws and other operations.

 

[photonboy]

Ignore the 1010MB issue... it's not worth figuring out why it's reported that way since it's only 14MB difference anyway. You've still got 1024MB available.

The tool you use online may say it's a fail since you don't have 1024MB showing but when you setup a game how much VRAM is used completely depends on the settings.

(And Skyrim has been run with 512MB VRAM at playable settings)

*Again though, go into your BIOS and see if you can go higher than 1024MB. I suspect you can't go higher but it's worth checking:

1) Reboot
2) "DEL" when prompted
3) Find VRAM setting for onboard/iGPU and set to max (probably at max of 1024MB already)