Did I get ripped off or am I confused?

[muskytaru]

Question:
I recently ordered a laptop and I requested a 3GB Nvidia card. When I followed up with the specs by actually checking the (Dxdiag?) and msinfo32 it is showing under Components> Display > Name Nvidia Geforce GT 555M and the adapter ram shows 1.073,741,824 Bytes That is def. not 3 GB of ram.

Then the next part shows Intel HD graphics Family and the adapter ram is 1,335,959,552

Is it possible I really do have 3 GB or did they try to pull a fast one on me? Please advise. Thank you Community for your assistance.

 

[jaguarskx]

Provide the link to where you configured your laptop.

Generally speaking, the amount of video RAM (VRAM) on a video card is not that important beyond 1GB. That's because laptop resolutions maxes out at 1920x1200 and there are not many laptops with that high of a resolution. Anyway, 1GB of VRAM is enough for that resolution whether we are talking about a laptop or a desktop for the vast majority of games, the only exception that I know of is GTA 4, but that's a poorly coded game.

The amount of video RAM beyond 1GB is like a marketing gimmick because of the "more is better" mentality. I'm guessing your laptop probably has a 1366x768 or 1600x900 screen for which 1GB of VRAM is more than enough.

 

[muskytaru]

I learned about this after I made the purchase. However, I wanted to be sure that Even though it was not necessary, I still got what I paid for. I will link it to you in a message.

 

[muskytaru]

Sent PM

 

[muskytaru]

Not sure if PM went thru but here is the stuff I ordered


1


225-0790


Alienware M14X - Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish
Intel Core i5 2430M 2.4GHz (3.0GHz w/Turbo Boost, 3MB Cache)
6GB Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
14.0 HD (900p/1600x900) WLED backlight display
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s

 

[wolfram23]

That's a decent setup.

Definitely not 3gb of VRAM, but that doesn't matter anyway for this system.

The 555M is a pretty solid mobile card.

I guess the question is how much did you pay for it?

 

[muskytaru]

So they charged me for it but didnt get it to me
That was my concen. I got it for just under 1400
I wanted a desktop but i dont have the room for it.

 

[Jim_L9]

The technology is like a smart version of switchable graphics, as you can see here: http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/optimus/technology

 

[Jim_L9]

Since the graphics card says it is DR3 it may used shared memory and be able to use up to 3GB with 2GB being from the laptop's memory. Call Alienware and ask them about it.

 

[jaguarskx]

Did you buy it directly from Alienware/Dell's website?

If so, then contact them. Tell them you configured the laptop with a Geforce GT 555m 3GB, but it came with the 1GB version ($100 difference). I'm guessing your order/sale form that came with the laptop will have that info.

The 1GB version is more than enough for 1600x900 resolution so I suggest you ask them for $100 and related sales tax to be credited back to your credit card. Unless of course you really want the 3GB version. If so then they will likely ask to ship your laptop back to them so that they can ship the correct one to you. You will have to pay for the shipping though.

 

[muskytaru]

Okay, I appreciate the information you have all provided for me. I was mostly concerned about whether I actually received what I paid for or not. I was pretty excited to play Crysis 2 on there and have it run nicely.

 

[muskytaru]

Seems like they owe me money. I love forums. So many helpful people!

 

[ricardois]

maybe they didn't charged you for it... if they really did yes go complain about it with them, but maybe that was just a writing mistake, 3gb besides 1gb, you must check if the prices match the 1gb version...

well @Jim_L9 is talking about shared memory, i don't think that they could offer a gpu by counting the shared memory value, it is VIDEO RAM only the shared memory size is relative and can't be sold like that.

3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
could be a Writing error maybe, or even a reading problem on the, computer assembly process?

Anywais check if you really paid for 3gb before complaining. just ask them why it is the 1gb version and not the 3gb one.

 

[Murissokah]

Just checked this link:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-555M.41933.0.html

While 3GB VRAM will be utterly useless, it is the maximum available memory for your VGA. If you paid for it, might as well make them live up to their offer.

 

[muskytaru]

Did you buy it directly from Alienware/Dell's website?

If so, then contact them. Tell them you configured the laptop with a Geforce GT 555m 3GB, but it came with the 1GB version ($100 difference). I'm guessing your order/sale form that came with the laptop will have that info.

The 1GB version is more than enough for 1600x900 resolution so I suggest you ask them for $100 and related sales tax to be credited back to your credit card. Unless of course you really want the 3GB version. If so then they will likely ask to ship your laptop back to them so that they can ship the correct one to you. You will have to pay for the shipping though.

Per your advice I will go with the refund seeing as 3 GB is overkill.

 

[muskytaru]

Is it suprising this is a Dell issue...

 

[bystander]

Just so you are aware, dxdiag is known for giving very erroneous vram numbers.

My GTX 680 says I have 4GB's, which don't exist. I've seen a lot of others with errors in that info as well. (both plus and minus what it should have)

Try using GPU-Z for a more accurate number.

 

[muskytaru]

Just so you are aware, dxdiag is known for giving very erroneous vram numbers.

My GTX 680 says I have 4GB's, which don't exist. I've seen a lot of others with errors in that info as well. (both plus and minus what it should have)

Try using GPU-Z for a more accurate number.

Okay, I will try it and post up results.

 

[muskytaru]

Clearly I am more ignorant than I thought I was. After running the GPU-Z;
Memory TypeDR3
Bandwidth: 192
Memory Size: 3072...
Bandwidth 43.2 GB/s

So I guess they didnt burn me huh...

 

[bystander]

Cool, good to see that everything is good. I've seen a few people in the past post some weird results from dxdiag when it pertains to vram size.

 

[muskytaru]

Well. All is well in my world then. Guess Ill go read on how to overclock it lol.

 

[Sunius]

I'd advice against it. It gets hot fast in a laptop.

 

[muskytaru]

Guess, I will go read up on fun, non-damaging things to do with the processor and gpu...

lol

 

[carlosb]

Guess, I will go read up on fun, non-damaging things to do with the processor and gpu...

lol

Uhh.. gaming?

 

[captainvera]

I actually OC'ed my mbp (which tends to get hot as it is all alluminium), increased core by 200 and memory by 150 with 0.455 less voltage....

Result: temperatures lower than without the overclock and +10-15 fps's!