Reduce graphics card memory

[asdfqwertyuiop]

I have a 512MB ATI 1650Pro, and 4GB of RAM with Vista 32-bit.

Due to mapping of video RAM, I only have 2.93GB available system RAM.

Accordingly I'd like to reduce the video RAM to 128MB (I don't play games, the extra must be completely useless). Is this possible?

 

[apoppin]

huh?

why?


what negative impact does the "extra" [useless] RAM have?

 

[TurnX]

You do realize that Vista 32-bit, and any other 32-bit OS for that matter, will at most use 3gb of ram, which it seems your system is doing.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: apoppin
huh?

why?


what negative impact does the "extra" [useless] RAM have?

Lol, this is a very good question I'd also like to be answered!

 

[apoppin]

my guess is ... "none"



- speaking 'practically' ... the effect of "extra" vRAM - discreet graphics - on system RAM ... or how a OS utilizes them

addendum perhaps the OP is somehow thinking IG

 

[asdfqwertyuiop]

Originally posted by: TurnX
You do realize that Vista 32-bit, and any other 32-bit OS for that matter, will at most use 3gb of ram, which it seems your system is doing.

The PCI-E address space is mapped to the top of the 0-4GB range. So if you have a 512MB card, you lose 512MB of address space.

The amount of RAM available under Vista 32-bit is never going to be the full 4GB, but you can get better than 2.93GB.

There's discussion of this here.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=2001275&enterthread=y

 

[Peter]

Well, you'd get (about) 250 MBytes of system RAM back, or maybe not. Seriously, if your applications are /that/ tight on system RAM, that wee little bit won't help. Install a 64-bit operating system, or don't bother.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

if you dont play games, you dont even need a 512mb x1650. sell it and get a 128mb 7300GT or something

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: asdfqwertyuiop

Originally posted by: TurnX
You do realize that Vista 32-bit, and any other 32-bit OS for that matter, will at most use 3gb of ram, which it seems your system is doing.

The PCI-E address space is mapped to the top of the 0-4GB range. So if you have a 512MB card, you lose 512MB of address space.

The amount of RAM available under Vista 32-bit is never going to be the full 4GB, but you can get better than 2.93GB.

There's discussion of this here.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=2001275&enterthread=y

Actually, you want to look here:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/sm8000/32bitRAM.gif
2.2.1 Addressable memory

evidently the os DOES include PCIe add in gfx

so your "extra" vRAM is worse than useless

the best solution seems to be using 64Bit Vista and more RAM or you can attempt the work around or get a 128MB GPU

surprised me
:Q

 

[asdfqwertyuiop]

it was the cheapest Direct x 9.0c card I could find with dual dvi ports. 512mb was cheaper than 256mb. When I bought it I had 2GB of RAM.

I'd have exactly the same amount of RAM with only 3 sticks (and saving me £70 on the 4th stick of RAM). I guess that would be slower due to not being dual channel though.

I think this will become more of an issue as more people go to 4GB RAM. From what I gather vista x64 just isn't mainstream. I don't trust it to run *everything* without problems.