An integrated video chip is available on many laptops and modern fixed PC processors, capable of carrying out the simplest operations that require graphic acceleration (browser, HD video etc.). If we have such a system but we notice slowdowns every time we open the browser on a demanding page (full of multimedia content) or when we open a video an HD, probably not enough virtual video memory has been allocated to take full advantage of the features of the chip in use. In this guide we will explain how the virtual memory of the integrated graphics processors works and how we can expand it, using the settings offered by the BIOS / UEFI to dedicate the RAM to the video card.
How virtual video memory works
The video chip integrated on the computer or notebook (present inside the processor itself or on a dedicated chip of the motherboard) uses RAM memory to be able to store data relating to video processing: in a nutshell a part of the RAM memory present in the system is reserved for the integrated video chip, and only from it can it be used (we cannot use this space to store random data as in the rest of the RAM). It goes without saying that on these computers the amount of total RAM on the operating system will be slightly less than the capacity offered by the modules, precisely because a small part is reserved for video data.The amount of reserved virtual video memory is managed directly by the BIOS or UEFI, which at startup creates the virtual memory to be reserved for the GPU. This parameter can be changed manually (as we will see in the next chapter), but to have good performances it is necessary to have a good quantity of starting RAM, in addition to choosing very fast RAM modules. If we have not already done so, we can change the RAM modules of our laptop or desktop computer, focusing on the fastest modules currently available on the market.
Below we have collected the best DDR3, DDR3L and DDR4 modules, for fixed PCs and notebooks, which we can use to speed up the system's RAM memory and consequently speed up the virtual video memory.
DDR3 fixed PC
- QUMOX 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 (€ 36)
- HyperX HX316C10F / 8 Fury 8 GB, 1600 MHz, DDR3 (€ 39)
DDR3 Notebook
- QUMOX 8GB DDR3 1600MHz PC3-12800 1600 (€ 32)
- Corsair Vengeance High Performance 8GB Memory Kit (2x4GB), DDR3 (€ 60)
DDR3L Notebook
- QUMOX 8 GB 204 Pin DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM (€ 35)
- Crucial CT102464BF160B 8 GB memory (35 €)
DDR4 fixed PC
- Ballistix Sport LT 8 GB memory Kit (4 GB x2), DDR4 (41 €)
- HyperX FURY DDR4 8 GB (2x4 GB kit), 2666 MHz (49 €)
DDR4 Notebook
- Crucial 8 GB memory, DDR4 so-DIMM (34 €)
- Corsair Ddr4 Sodimm Value Select, Pc4-17000 (42 €)
To understand the differences between the various modules and the various versions, we invite you to read our guide to the types of RAM of the computer: DDR, shape and speed .
How to dedicate RAM to the video card
Once we have seen how virtual video memory works and how it is linked to the RAM present on the computer, let's see together how to increase the amount of RAM memory to reserve for the video chip integrated in the processor or on the motherboard.First of all we start the PC and immediately press repeatedly the key to access the BIOS or UEFI: we will have to be quick otherwise the operating system will start. Usually the key is DEL or DEL, but it may be different depending on the manufacturer of the notebook in use or the motherboard in the desktop PC; in this regard, I invite you to read our guide on How to access the BIOS on computers of all brands .
Once inside the special screen, we will have to navigate through the menus until we find the item Share Memory Size or Internal Graphics Memory Size ; Usually these items can be found in the Advanced settings, in the Integrated Peripherals section or similar items.
Once the right item has been opened, a list will appear with various memory "cuts" to be reserved for the video card; the AUTO value or a too low value is present. In order to dedicate the RAM to the video card, we change the value up to the maximum allowed (usually 1024M or 1 GB, but higher cuts may also be available).
Once this change has been made, confirm with the Enter key on the keyboard, go to the Exit menu and make sure to select the Save & Exit setup item, so as to restart the computer with the changes applied.
On the next reboot, the BIOS or UEFI will reserve more RAM as virtual memory, removing it from the "perceived" memory by Windows. The results can be very good, up to almost doubling the video performance.
WARNING : we avoid providing too much RAM as virtual video memory, since we run the risk of slowing down the main system when we want to open more programs. The rule is not to reserve more than 20% of the total RAM memory, so as not to impact on the performance of random access memory.
Conclusions
As we have seen, we can increase the video memory for integrated graphics solutions (modern AMD and Intel processors) without necessarily having to buy a dedicated video card, an expense that can become really very expensive! Obviously we will not have to overdo the amount of memory to reserve for the video chip, or we will still get a slowdown (visible when we open many programs).If even this trick of video memory has failed to improve the performance of our computer, we invite you to read our guides Best video cards for fixed PCs and how to Change CPU speed, Graphics Card and RAM: best programs .
