How To Decrease Shared GPU Memory For Your Gaming Pc

Welcome to our blog post on managing shared GPU memory on your gaming PC. In this guide, we will explain what it is. We will also show you how to decrease it. By the end, you will have more control over your PC’s performance.

What shared GPU memory means?

Let’s talk about shared GPU memory. It’s a term that you might have come across. Especially if you’re into gaming or video editing. But, what does it mean? Let’s break it down.

Firstly, let’s decipher ‘GPU’.

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. It’s the brain behind your graphics card. It renders images, animations, and videos for your computer’s display. That’s its job. Now, every GPU has its own memory. We call this ‘dedicated’ GPU memory. It’s like the GPU’s personal toolbox. It has everything the GPU needs to do its job.

But, there’s another type of memory your GPU can use. It’s called ‘shared’ GPU memory.

Imagine your GPU at work. It’s busy rendering an image. Suddenly, it runs out of memory in its toolbox. What does it do? It asks your system for help. In other words, your GPU borrows memory from your system’s RAM. This borrowed memory is what we call shared GPU memory. It’s a bit like your GPU has a friend who lends it tools when it runs out.

So, your GPU uses two types of memory. Dedicated memory and shared memory. But, there’s a difference between the two types of memory.

Dedicated memory is, well, dedicated. It belongs to the GPU. It’s directly attached to it. This makes it faster and more efficient. It’s like having the tools right at your workbench.

On the other hand, shared memory is not directly attached to the GPU. It’s like the tools are in the next room. The GPU has to go and get them. This makes shared memory slower to access.

Now, you might wonder why GPU needs to borrow memory.

It’s a good question.

This usually happens when the GPU runs out of its dedicated memory. When you’re running graphically intensive tasks, the GPU needs more memory. If the dedicated memory falls short, the GPU dips into the shared memory. It’s like a safety net that keeps the GPU working.

However, relying too much on shared memory isn’t ideal. It’s slower, as we mentioned. This can affect your system’s performance. It can lead to lags or stutters in your games or videos.

Also, shared memory is still part of your system’s RAM. When the GPU borrows it, there’s less RAM available for other tasks. This can slow down your system overall. So, it’s important to manage your shared GPU memory. Especially if you’re into high-end gaming or video editing. You need to ensure that your system and GPU have enough memory to perform at their best.

In conclusion, shared GPU memory is your system’s way of helping out your GPU. It lends memory when the GPU’s dedicated memory isn’t enough. However, relying too much on it can slow down your system. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the concept. And, how it works. Armed with this knowledge, you can better manage your custom PC’s performance.

Is shared GPU memory good for your gaming PC?

If you’re a gamer, you know the importance of a good GPU. It can make or break your gaming experience. But, where does shared GPU memory fit in? Let’s find out.

The fact is, games need a lot of GPU memory. Especially modern, high-end games. They’re rich in graphics. They have detailed environments. They have complex physics. All these require a good amount of memory. Now, if your GPU runs out of its dedicated memory, shared memory comes to the rescue. It allows your GPU to keep functioning. This means your game doesn’t crash midway. So, in this sense, shared memory is beneficial.

However, there’s a catch.

Shared memory is slower than dedicated memory. This is because it’s not directly attached to the GPU. So, accessing shared memory takes more time. This delay might not be noticeable in less demanding games. If you’re a casual gamer, you might not see much of a difference. But, for high-end games, it’s a different story. The delay can cause your game to stutter or lag. This can mar your gaming experience. So, in this sense, shared memory isn’t ideal for gaming.

There’s another downside to consider. Shared memory is part of your system’s RAM. When the GPU borrows it, there’s less RAM for other tasks. This can slow down your system overall. If you’re running other programs alongside your game, they might slow down. This can affect your gaming PC’s performance.

So, is shared GPU memory good for gaming? It depends.

If you’re playing less demanding games, it might not matter much. But, for high-end gaming, it can be a bottleneck. That said, it’s important to remember that shared memory is a backup. It’s not meant to replace dedicated GPU memory. It’s there to help when the dedicated memory runs out.

If you’re into high-end gaming, it’s best to invest in a GPU with more dedicated memory. This will give you a smoother gaming experience. It will also leave your system’s RAM free for other tasks. In conclusion, shared memory can be a help and a hindrance for gaming. It allows your GPU to function when its own memory runs out. But, it can also slow down your games and your system.

How to Check Shared GPU Memory on Your Gaming PC

Before we delve into reducing shared memory on GPU, let’s discuss how to check it. You might wonder why it’s important. Here’s the reason. Knowing how much shared memory your GPU uses can help you manage your PC better. Now, let’s get to it.

Task manager

Windows has a built-in tool for this. It’s called the Task Manager. It’s a handy tool. It provides a wealth of information about your system’s performance.

1. Open the Task Manager: Right-click on your taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’. Alternatively, you can use a keyboard shortcut, ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’.
2. Click on the ‘Performance’ Tab: Once the Task Manager is open, look for the ‘Performance’ tab. It’s usually the second tab from the left. Click on it.
3. Select Your GPU: In the ‘Performance’ tab, you’ll see a list of your system’s resources. Your GPU should be one of them. Click on it.
4. Look for ‘Shared GPU memory’: In the GPU section, you’ll find details about your GPU’s performance. One of the details is ‘Shared GPU memory’. It shows the total shared memory available to your GPU and how much it’s currently using.

GPU-Z

Now, what if you want more details? For that, there are third-party tools. They provide a more detailed view of your GPU’s memory usage. One such tool is GPU-Z. It’s a popular tool among gamers and PC enthusiasts. It provides detailed information about your GPU.

1. Download and Install GPU-Z: This is a third-party tool that provides a detailed view of your GPU’s memory usage. You can download it for free from the TechPowerUp website.
2. Open GPU-Z: After installing GPU-Z, open the application.
3. Look at the ‘Memory’ Section: In GPU-Z, find the ‘Memory’ section.

In conclusion, checking your shared GPU memory is easy. You can use the built-in Task Manager in Windows. Or, you can use a third-party tool like GPU-Z for more details. Knowing your shared memory can help you manage your system better. It can help you make informed decisions about your gaming PC.

How much shared GPU memory should you have?

Let’s now address a crucial question. It’s an important factor in managing your custom PC. Let’s break it down.

1. Factors Influencing Shared GPU Memory

First off, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of shared GPU memory depends on various factors. These include your system’s RAM, the type of tasks you perform, and your GPU’s dedicated memory.

2. Impact of System’s RAM

A system with more RAM can afford to share more with the GPU. For instance, a system with 16GB of RAM can spare more than a system with 8GB. That’s simple math. However, remember that shared GPU memory is still part of your system’s RAM. When the GPU borrows it, there’s less RAM for other tasks. It’s a delicate balance.

3. Task Type

Next, consider the type of tasks you perform. If you’re into high-end gaming or video editing, your GPU needs more memory. If the dedicated memory falls short, the GPU dips into the shared memory. So, for graphically intensive tasks, having more shared GPU memory can be beneficial. But, it’s not the ideal solution. It’s always better to have more dedicated GPU memory for these tasks.

4. Role of GPU’s Dedicated Memory

Then, there’s your GPU’s dedicated memory. A GPU with more dedicated memory needs less shared memory. It has enough of its own memory to work with. For instance, a GPU with 4GB of dedicated memory might not need much shared memory. But, a GPU with 2GB might need more.

5. Monitoring and Managing Shared Memory

So, how do you determine the right amount? A rule of thumb is to keep an eye on your system’s performance. If your system slows down during graphically intensive tasks, you might need to manage your shared GPU memory. Monitor your GPU’s memory usage. Use the Task Manager or a tool like GPU-Z, as we discussed earlier. If your GPU consistently uses a lot of shared memory, consider upgrading your GPU.

6. Conclusion: Striking a Balance

In conclusion, the amount of shared GPU memory depends on your system and tasks. It’s a balance between your system’s RAM, your GPU’s dedicated memory, and the demands of your tasks. Remember, shared GPU memory is a backup. It’s not meant to replace dedicated GPU memory. It’s there to help when the dedicated memory runs out.

So, while it’s good to have enough shared GPU memory, it’s better to have more dedicated GPU memory. Especially for high-end gaming or video editing. This will give you a smoother experience and keep your system running efficiently.

How do I decrease shared GPU memory on your Gaming PC?

After understanding shared GPU memory, we now reach the central question. How to decrease or increase shared GPU memory?

Decreasing Shared Memory: Step-by-step

Decreasing shared GPU memory can be useful. It can free up system RAM for other tasks. Here’s how to do it.

• First, reboot your PC.
• As your system starts up, press the key to enter BIOS. It’s usually F2, F10, or Del.
• In the BIOS, look for ‘Advanced Features’ or ‘Advanced Chipset Features’. The exact name depends on your BIOS. Under that, you should find ‘Video Settings’ or ‘VGA Share Memory Size’. Again, the name can vary.

Here, you can decrease the shared GPU memory. Select a lower value than the current one. Then, save your settings and exit the BIOS. Your PC will reboot with the new settings. It’s that simple.

Decreasing shared GPU memory can offer several benefits.

1. The first major benefit is that it can free up system RAM.

Shared GPU memory is a portion of your system’s RAM that’s allocated to the GPU. By reducing this allocation, you provide more RAM for other tasks. This can enhance your system’s overall performance, especially in scenarios where you’re multitasking or running memory-intensive applications.

2. Another advantage of decreasing shared GPU memory lies in avoiding unnecessary usage.

If your tasks aren’t GPU-intensive and your GPU has sufficient dedicated memory, it doesn’t need to use shared memory. By reducing the shared memory allocation, you can prevent your GPU from unnecessarily tapping into your system’s RAM.

3. Better memory management is another benefit of decreasing shared GPU memory.

It allows you to ensure that memory is allocated to where it’s needed the most, such as critical system processes or memory-hungry applications. This fine-tuning can lead to a smoother, more responsive computing experience.

4. In some cases, reducing shared GPU memory can result in a performance improvement.

If your GPU is over-utilizing shared memory, it could be causing a slowdown in your system. By reducing the allocation, you might be able to resolve this issue and speed up your computer. However, this potential improvement can depend on many factors, including your specific system configuration and the types of tasks you’re performing.

How do I increase shared GPU memory on your Gaming PC?

Increasing Shared Memory

Now, let’s discuss increasing shared GPU memory. It can help if your GPU needs more memory for intensive tasks. The process is similar to decreasing it. Again, reboot your PC and enter the BIOS. Go to ‘Advanced Features’ or ‘Advanced Chipset Features’. Then, find ‘Video Settings’ or ‘VGA Share Memory Size’.

This time, select a higher value than the current one. Save your settings and exit the BIOS. Your PC will reboot with more shared GPU memory.

Increasing shared GPU memory can be beneficial in certain situations.

1. Enhance GPU’s performance

Increasing shared GPU memory can have its own set of advantages, especially under specific circumstances. For starters, if your GPU is struggling with dedicated memory for graphics-intensive tasks, allocating more shared memory can come in handy. This additional resource helps enhance the GPU’s performance, leading to smoother gameplay or a more responsive experience in graphic design software.

2. Enhanced Multitasking

Furthermore, if you’re someone who frequently runs multiple GPU-intensive applications at the same time, more shared GPU memory could be beneficial. This increase allows these applications to tap into additional resources, preventing the GPU’s dedicated memory from becoming overly strained.

3. Better Handling of High-Resolution Media

Also, when dealing with high-resolution images or videos, more shared GPU memory can prove useful. It enables the GPU to process these larger files with greater efficiency, potentially leading to a smoother, faster workflow.

4. A Temporary Solution

As a final point, increasing shared GPU memory can serve as a temporary fix if an immediate GPU upgrade isn’t feasible. It provides a buffer for your system to handle more intensive tasks until you’re able to upgrade to a better GPU.

Considerations and Warnings

While adjusting shared GPU memory, remember a few things.

• First, shared GPU memory is part of your system RAM. Increasing it means less RAM for other tasks.
• Second, not all BIOS allow adjusting shared GPU memory. If you can’t find the option, check your motherboard’s manual. It can help you locate it.
• Third, be careful while adjusting BIOS settings. Incorrect settings can cause system instability. Always note down the original settings before changing them.
• Lastly, increasing shared GPU memory isn’t a fix for poor GPU performance. If your GPU lacks enough dedicated memory, consider upgrading it. It’s the best solution for a smoother gaming or video editing experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shared GPU memory plays a key role in your gaming PC. Managing it well can boost your system’s performance. Remember, it’s a backup solution, not a replacement for dedicated GPU memory.

Managing shared GPU memory can boost your system’s performance. Decreasing it frees up system RAM. Increasing it can help your GPU with intensive tasks. Remember, shared GPU memory isn’t a replacement for dedicated GPU memory. It’s a backup solution when the GPU runs out of its own memory. So, if you frequently run into GPU memory issues, consider upgrading your GPU. It will give you a much better performance boost than tweaking shared GPU memory on your gaming PC.

As a final point, if you’re considering an upgrade to your GPU, you might want to check out VOLTA PC in Singapore. They offer a variety of prebuilt gaming PCs, custom PCs, and a wide range of hardware. This could be an excellent solution for those consistently facing GPU memory issues. With VOLTA PC, you can ensure that your system is equipped to handle all your computing needs, from gaming to video editing. Upgrade your GPU today for a smoother, more efficient computing experience.