Essentially, the right quantity of video RAM is required for in-detail performance of any graphical-based PC game or process. If you find your computer low in this regard recently, it is not unwise for you to consider video card upgrade as the ultimate method.
Although, one could only imagine how much a new graphics card would enhance your desktop computer , it goes without saying that laptops do not have this capability.
Video cards can also be rather expensive, and getting the most out of the ones already owned can suffice for a while. A solution that shall not need you to expand your PC’s hardware is your PC’s dedicated video RAM. This is what you will be reading about today, as well as how you could apply this solution yourself.
Increasing Dedicated Video RAM
As much befitting dedicated video RAM which tends to be in a constant fight with the cpu for the resources, more is preferred.
Video RAM (or VRAM) refers to RAM the video part of a PC is set to use. While it is similar to more common RAM types, the VRAM cooperates with your GPU to store smaller short-term graphics data.
The amount of VRAM, however, is not the only factor in how smooth your editing in videos, rendering 3D models, or running high-end graphics games are. However, for these operations a certain level of VRAM is needed. Though you cannot expand your VRAM without changing the entirety of your graphics card, you could teach your PC how to optimize the use of what you have.
It’s important to stress here that simply raising your VRAM levels isn’t going to be beneficial to your gameplay in every case but it does offer a way to get around certain issues. Here are the solutions you should take into action on your Windows PC.
How To Boost Dedicated Video RAM In Windows 11
There is a number of different options for changing the size of the VRAM available in Windows 11, but first, it is useful to know what is being used at the moment. Here is how you can learn how to check the current VRAM and the different ways through which you can alter it.
Learn the Currently Implemented VRAM Size in Windows 11
However, it helps to know how much of it your Windows 11 PC currently uses before you start your quest to optimally boost your dedicated video RAM. Here are the procedures you should follow to locate that information.
- Phew! Now, let’s get into the settings by clicking the ‘Windows’ icon.
- Move the pointer to the leftmost pane and click ‘System’, in the middle pane choose’Advanced display’ under the ‘Related settings’ subheading on the right.
- Most controls have a right-click value, with “Display adapter properties for Display #.”
- The amount you dedicated to your video specific will appear in the pop up window.
How to Set Upgrade the VRAM in Windows 11 with the BIOS
If you feel the amount of VRAM used in Windows 11 is low, VA can be changed from the BIOS. Here’s how to do it.
- Turn off your computer and later, press and hold the BIOS access button the F2 Del etc, each time the PC is starting. Jabbing it guarantees that the action is going to be done.
Locate the menu that normally gives you advanced BIOS settings on their computer. - Search for your VRAM graphics settings – the option which opens may be labelled ‘Graphics Settings’, ‘VGA Share Memory Size’, ‘Video Settings’, etc.
- Select how much room you have to give your vram.
- After that, apply the changes you have made, turn your PC off and then restart it, and learn whether your VRAM has been changed using the described above procedure.
How to modify Windows 11 VRAM using the Registry Editor
Another way to change your dedicated Windows 11 video RAM is in the registry, including mind Control Panel. This won’t actually create new VRAM, but it will help programs think they have more power to work with.
It is however important to understand that this trick may not work most of the times. The problem with some processes is that they might go beyond the actual VRAM limit if the programmer has opted to use as much as possible of what the graphics card offers. While some put standards lower than what is available that means they can use more because they feel that there is more available for use.
Look for the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen, type “regedit” In the search bar that appears and click on the “Registry Editor” option.
- Click to the following location: “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel.”
- Copying Right-click the “Intel” name in the sidebar and from the list appeared choose the “New -> Key” option.
- You should then label this new key as “GMM” and then open it.
- Right click in the right-side pane and click new, then click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- It is essentially called “DedicatedSegmentSize”, therefore right-click the icon and do a double-click.
- Check Hexadecimal on the right pane and type in the amount of VRAM needed in megabytes.
- Click “OK” to store the changes, shut the “Registry Editor,” then reboot your computer.
How to Increase Dedicated Video RAM in Windows 10
Going through the steps you need to follow to raise your VRAM in Windows 10 are similar to what you will do in Windows 11.
Check your current VRAM in Windows 10
In Windows type “advanced display” in the “Cortana search bar” and then click on “View advanced display info” to get into the “Advanced Display Settings” window.
It is located under “Display information” where you will find the “Display adapter properties for Display #” image and should be clicked.
- To learn your current amount of VRAM, look at the figure written next to “Dedicated Video Memory”.
- In case the amount of the VRAM is not satisfactory, there are two methods to increase it without changing anything physically.
Increase VRAM in Windows 10 using the BIOS
- You should turn your computer off then turn it back on and immediately begin pressing your BIOS key (F2, Del or whatever the manufacturer told you). Repeating makes sure it takes the keypress before it starts powering up.
There is always a menu with the names like; “Video Settings”, “(Graphics Settings”, or “VGA Share Memory Size”, it’s usually in the “Advanced” setting. - If you are using a Windows based computer then press “Windows + R” to get a pop up box known as the “Run”.
- Type “regedit” and hit “OK.”
- Go to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel.”
- Right-click on “Intel”, in the left-side panel, and then click on “ New -> Key”.
- Name the new key “GMM.”
- To open the GMM share manager window right click GMM and then select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Type “DedicatedSegmentSize.”
- To display “DedicatedSegmentSize” right click > select > format cell > choose decimal > then enter a value ranging from 0-512.
- After that, click the “OK” button and reboot your PC to see the result of the made changes.
How to Increase Dedicated Video RAM in Windows 7
For persons still on the Windows 7 platform, the amount of VRAM can still be increased using the Windows Registry unlike in Windows 10 and Windows 11 version. Before you decide to alter the portion of Windows 7 dedicated Virtual RAM, always check the VRAM in the Display Properties.
Check Your Current VRAM in Windows 7
- The first thing in the process as such, is to go right clicking on the discussion and then go for “Screen Resolution.”
- In a separate window, type in the keywords “Advanced Settings” and click on the link.
- The amount of currently allocated Video RAM, VRAM will be shown beside the option labelled ‘Dedicated Video Memory’.
Increase Windows 7 VRAM using the Registry Editor
These instructions will help you increase VRAM in Windows 7 so that you can run programs that need a higher minimum to start up:
- Open Ctrl R then press the window key and R simultaneously, type regedit and hit on ok key. Another way that can also be followed is the pressing of the key on the keyboard and then clicking the ‘start menu’ All the programs then the typing of ‘regedit’ on the search box, followed by the opening of Registry Editor.
- Access the option labelled as “Edit” at the top of the page, then click on “Find.”
- Key in “INCREASEFIXEDSEGMENT” and then hit on “Find Next”.
- Right click on “DescreaseFixedSegment” an choose open, click on it to open.
As a value data, key in “1” on the numeric keypad and then click on “OK.” - Restart your PC and check your VRAM in your Display Setting that you where able to try the first process above.
In total, the absence of sufficient video RAM provokes stutters and freezes – not pleasant events that can compromise productivity. If one cannot afford to buy a new video card, the above steps can help you add new dedicated video RAM on your Windows 7/10/11.