changing video RAM

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person135

New Member
Hi I have a compaq presario computer with integrated ATI Radeon XPress 200 IGP graphics card. Right now, my computer has 256MB RAM and the video memory is 32MB, so I only really have 224MB RAM. How do I increase my video memory? The video card is supposed to be able to deliver up to 128MB of video RAM. How do I increase my memory from 32MB to 64MB or 128MB?

I've looked in the BIOS and it says 32MB, and I could not change it. It didn't have 64mb or 128mb listed for me to change to. Is it because I don't have enough RAM on my computer? (I only have 256MB RAM right now)
 
Why would you want to increase it any more if you only have 256MB of ram? You do need some RAM to work with...

If I'm not mistaken, those dynamically set their RAM as needed.
 
The BIOS probably only lets you allocate more RAM if you have a certain amount of RAM or more in your system, ie, if you have 512MB, you can allocate up to 64MB, etc.
 
I'm trying to play counter strike source. At the smallest resolution (not 800x600, 640 by something), it still kinda lags. It's not completely smooth gameplay. When I change it to 800x600 and ran the video stress test, I got 26fps. Since I figured I can have up to 128MB, why not use that. When I went to bios, it said 32MB next to onboard video something, and it's grayed out, can't highlight it, I skip over it.

Oh, by the way, I'm buying a 512MB RAM by ULTRA to add to my system. I hope that helps raise the video memory and the overall performance.

Do you think 768MB total RAM can support 128MB video memory?

Also, my computer's processor is AMD Sempron, if that helps.
 
person135 said:
I'm trying to play counter strike source. At the smallest resolution (not 800x600, 640 by something), it still kinda lags. It's not completely smooth gameplay. When I change it to 800x600 and ran the video stress test, I got 26fps. Since I figured I can have up to 128MB, why not use that. When I went to bios, it said 32MB next to onboard video something, and it's grayed out, can't highlight it, I skip over it.

Oh, by the way, I'm buying a 512MB RAM by ULTRA to add to my system. I hope that helps raise the video memory and the overall performance.

Do you think 768MB total RAM can support 128MB video memory?

Also, my computer's processor is AMD Sempron, if that helps.
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The 768MB of RAM will help considerably. With that, you may be able to allocate 128MB to your Video card, however, it probably won't help it a whole lot. The main issue is your video card itself.
 
well have you heard of it? is it good? It's supposed to be the first video card or something with directx9.0 and something else
 
person135 said:
well have you heard of it? is it good? It's supposed to be the first video card or something with directx9.0 and something else
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Yea, but DirectX9 has been out for years and years now....it's just plain old, and integrated, which means crappy performance no matter what. ;)
 
Do not change your dedicated amount of video ram to anything higher, itll lag alot more. Your intergrated video cards takes however much ram that it needs. If you allocate more to it your system wont have enough ram to run normal applications and will end up much slower. Trust me ive done it before on my compaq, it sucks.
 
burnitdown said:
Do not change your dedicated amount of video ram to anything higher, itll lag alot more. Your intergrated video cards takes however much ram that it needs. If you allocate more to it your system wont have enough ram to run normal applications and will end up much slower. Trust me ive done it before on my compaq, it sucks.
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yeah but what if I get more RAM and then change it, wouldn't that be better then?

and plus, about that $24 dollar video card, my integrated one would be wasted if I'd gotten this one. I really don't want to waste money. Plus, I just ordered a 512MB RAM right now, so my dad will not allow me to get this.


Also by any chance, do you think I have to update the drivers for my video card? It's ATI. How do I check my version and if there is a newer or better version?
 
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The key reason that increasing your video RAM will not increase performance noticeably, is because GDDR runs at a much higher frequency than the DIMMs that you would buy for your motherboard; but that isn't the only reason. Increasing video RAM can only help so much, the difference between a 256MB card and a 512MB card with the same GPU is miniscule at best. Video RAM is only one of many key components that play into making a great video card.

Things like the number of shader units, pixel pipelines, vertex quads, clock speeds can't be changed; which is why you would essentially need to buy a new, dedicated-GPU, video card in order to get a good performance difference.
 
Wow, so many terms I don't understand. One thing's for sure, I already bought a 512MB ram to add to my 256, and I am not getting anything else for now, or probably for a while (parents won't let me). But do you think adding more RAM to my computer, and hopefully increase my video memory will let me run Counter Strike Source and other games smoother? A directx9.0 level video card should be able to run Source smoothly, and mine is a directx9.0 level video card, with 128mb max video ram, though it's set at 32mb right now...and Source doesn't run as smooth.
 
OK I installed the RAM and it made more RAM by itself. It changed it to 64MB. I still can't change it though. It is set at 64MB and I can't change it.
 
An ATi Radeon X200 Xpress will never run a Steam game smoothly unless you turn EVERYTHING all the way down at 640X480. If you want to play CS:S, you need a better card period.
 
the video RAM is used pretty much to store the textures that are used repeatedly (if im not mistaken) and you card wont be able to support high enough settings to take advantage of the extra ram you want to allocate to the video card. As BurgerBob said your not gonna get anything near impressive results unless you buy a new video card. Even a cheap $20 will work better


just go down to best buy and buy a cheapo card that is supported by your mobo.
 
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