Intel iGPU graphics memory

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lys

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Dec 9, 2012
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Im using the HD4600 on my i7-4771 while waiting for my RMAd GPU.

1) Whats the difference between the following? my current value in ( )

- Total avilable graphics memory (1952MB)
- Dedicated video memory (384MB)
- Shared system memory (1568MB)

2) If dedicated mean ram is allocated whether its in use or not, should I set it at minimum when I have a dGPU?

3) If the game can use up to the total available graphics memory, whats the point of setting a high dedicated memory value?

I have 16GB RAM

 
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Moonstick2
No, the Intel iGPU doesn't have any VRAM on the chip. It simply uses the system RAM, to which it has direct access.

There's fundamentally no difference between dedicated and shared memory from the point of view of the iGPU. The difference is to the operating system, which has to set aside a portion of the system RAM as the dedicated graphics memory and not use it for other purposes.

Typically dedicated memory should only be 32-64MB, which is almost nothing in terms of system RAM these days. This guarantees a minimum amount of memory for basic graphical operation (e.g. to stop a runaway program taking all the spare memory and leaving nothing for the screen display). It's unclear why yours has been set relatively high at 384 MB. One...
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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If you have a dedicated video card you can disabled onboard video in the bios so it takes nothing.

The dedicated with an onboard is actually memory on the card(and normally faster as a result).

With onboard it is all the same speed and will take more as needed. Some programs may want to see a certain amount of dedicated to work right so leave it at a reasonable level or auto. Onboard video is not made for too much gaming anyway.

With dedicated card, I do not think I ever see it dig into non dedicated memory, but I do not pay much attention as long as it is working right.

Again, if you have a dedicated(card in an expansion slot), you can disable that onboard all together.
 
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spdragoo

spdragoo

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Oct 17, 2011
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1. Total is the same as what you have on a dGPU (i.e. total VRAM). Dedicated is the amount that's hardwired directly into the iGPU, while the shared memory is what it pulls from the system RAM.

2. Definitely, yes. In fact, once your dGPU shows up, you should disable the iGPU so that it doesn't use any system RAM.

3. The higher the dedicated VRAM, the less system resources it has to use. Using 1.5GB doesn't sound so bad when your system has 16GB total; using 1.5GB when your system only has 4GB total (especially on a 64-bit version of Windows), however, is a much bigger deal, because you have almost half your system RAM tied up in the GPU.
 
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Moonstick2

Moonstick2

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Oct 3, 2014
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No, the Intel iGPU doesn't have any VRAM on the chip. It simply uses the system RAM, to which it has direct access.

There's fundamentally no difference between dedicated and shared memory from the point of view of the iGPU. The difference is to the operating system, which has to set aside a portion of the system RAM as the dedicated graphics memory and not use it for other purposes.

Typically dedicated memory should only be 32-64MB, which is almost nothing in terms of system RAM these days. This guarantees a minimum amount of memory for basic graphical operation (e.g. to stop a runaway program taking all the spare memory and leaving nothing for the screen display). It's unclear why yours has been set relatively high at 384 MB. One issue is usually games that refuse to run if they detect less than a set amount of dedicated memory as they're confused between discrete video card RAM and iGPU accessing system RAM, so perhaps it was set high by someone at some point because of this.

When you install your video card, you should no longer be using the HD4600 and so no memory should be set aside for it. The dedicated memory displayed should be then be the graphics card RAM.

For now you can leave the settings as they are if they're causing you no problems.
 
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