Many PC’s come with integrated graphics cards. Such are for the budget-oriented consumer who doesn’t want to pay too much for additional components, such as a dedicated GPU.
Built-in or integrated (iGPU) in modern processors, video cards cope with many computer games. For AAA projects at high settings, they are not suitable, but they can still do something.
In this article, we’ll explain how integrated graphics indeed share a memory with the rest of the computer.
And as some may want to squeeze every last performance drop out of that video for gaming applications, so they wonder if the additional RAM makes more memory available for the iGPU, we’ll cover that, too.
Shall we?
Does Integrated Graphics Use RAM?
Integrated graphics cards don’t have their own memory. Instead, it is drawn from RAM: depending on the BIOS / UEFI settings or the operating system, Windows reserves a certain amount of RAM used by the built-in video accelerator as video memory (VRAM).
Typically, the graphics are built into the central processor; on some laptops, they are soldered on the motherboard.
This is an independent, non-removable device – pseudo-discrete graphics in the second case.
The default VRAM size ranges from 32 to 2048 MB, depending on the processor or motherboard model.
The most significant advantage of a dedicated graphics card is probably the increased computing speed and performance.
This is particularly interesting for gaming, but 3D modeling and programs such as Adobe Premiere or Photoshop are also better served with this type of graphics card.
There is also the option of replacing it if it is defective or outdated.
If the dedicated GPU is so much better, why is there the integrated one?
Well, the iGPU advantage is that the battery life remains almost unchanged, while the dedicated graphics card also requires more power due to its own memory.
Heat is also generated when using dedicated GPUs. To counteract this, they often have their own cooling system, which in turn requires more space.
In addition, the laptop usually gets very warm when playing games or video rendering.
RAM’s speed affects the computer’s speed in games and frame rate. Therefore, when replacing strips with a memory frequency of 1866 Hz by 2400 Hz, you should not expect a rapid increase in performance.
The increase in FPS will be insignificant – up to a few frames or percent per second. It all depends on the hardware configuration and the game itself.
Does iGPU Use Much RAM?
Not much. Unless you overload it.
In an integrated processor:
· Integrated GPUs use the processor’s RAM, but… the manufacturer takes care in limiting the scale of functionalities inconvenience with the processor’s abilities.
· Integrated GPUs are forced to fit in the processor since, by the general rule of architecture, GPUs are larger than CPUs. However, trying to fit in more powerful GPUs results in heating, so the manufacturer refrains from doing so.
Your CPU can do different kinds of tasks efficiently. But on the other hand, GPUs can do specific types of jobs much more efficiently and faster than CPUs. In fact, if you observe, the memory used in dedicated GPUs is different from the CPU counterparts.
Basically, when you buy a computer with integrated graphics, you shouldn’t expect to do many graphics-oriented tasks. So with regular usage, it wouldn’t affect your RAM too much.
Usage of ram is shared to generate graphics and will be evenly used to do the tasks of the CPU itself.
Simply put: if you have 16 GB RAM, then, for example, 6 GB will be used as VRAM (depends) for your integrated GPU, and the other 10 GB will be free for the other usage of it.
If you had an external GPU, then you could use the ram for other purposes, while the graphics card will have its own VRAM to worry about and will not interfere with your PC’s ram performance.
Will Adding More RAM Give More Memory to Integrated Graphics?
Increasing the amount of RAM will increase VRAM if you have integrated graphics. The reason is that the graphics share RAM on the CPU and the CPU itself.
While increasing RAM can give you breathing space if you are limited on vRAM, it doesn’t improve performance.
FASTER ram can give you performance if your iGPU is bandwidth starved. Vega iGPUs, for example, benefit heavily from it.
Raw performance is related to iGPU capabilities, not RAM amount. RAM will help if it’s running in a dual channel (two modules) if it’s fast and if it’s plentiful.
If you have one module of 4GB, adding another will help immensely, but if you already have 8GB in dual channel (2x4GB), the gains might be minimal unless the game requires more RAM.
The system memory shared for VRAM is dynamically allocated, so it’s not a fixed size.
Depending on the application, actual use will vary depending on graphics/resolution settings. So, for example, it has 4GB but may only use a portion of it, and the rest would allocate to where it’s needed.
You can set a fixed size in the Bios, but I wouldn’t bother. iGPU will use as much ram for video as needed.
Mind you, that example of 4GB RAM; its worth of stored texture size in a game generally means a heightened level of detail, which means performance beyond what an iGPU is capable of.
Increasing and Decreasing the Amount of Video Memory
The size of the memory allocated by the operating system to the integrated video card can be changed in two ways:
· Automatically or dynamically – the system allocates the amount of RAM the GPU currently needs to perform its tasks.
· Manual – a fixed value set at the factory or manually by the user.
We INCREASE the amount of video memory to improve the performance of the integrated video core and run applications and games that do not have enough VRAM allocated by default by default.
We DECREASE to free up more RAM for applications and Windows if current tasks use almost all the RAM.
The amount of used memory is displayed in the Performance tab of the Task Manager.
When resizing graphics memory, balance is essential. The RAM given to the video card is reserved by the operating system and cannot be used by it or applications.
If the computer has little RAM installed – 2-4 GB, it does not always make sense to allocate a large amount of video memory to the detriment of working memory.
The faster the “RAM” is used, the higher the performance of the integrated video core. With the same computer configuration, a PC with DDR4-3200 will produce more frames per second than with DDR3-2400.
Much depends on the modules themselves, tasks, and testing methods.
Overclocking the RAM positively affects graphics performance, but the increase in FPS does not exceed a few percent.
How to Get the Most Out of an Integrated Graphics Card
You may take various actions to maximize performance from your own integrated video processor until companies find a breakthrough.
Consider buying and installing additional RAM on your PC. Integrated graphics chipsets and the rest of your computer share memory.
If your computer lacks sufficient RAM to share, your video card may not function as well as it could.
Locate application settings that work well with your graphics hardware. Integrated graphics, unlike a separate card, do not have the power.
That means sacrificing quality for performance. If you play a lot of video games, for example, the settings to reduce include screen resolution and texture quality.
Anti-aliasing and complex graphic options, such as anisotropic filtering, should also be disabled. Lowering the image quality will enhance your frame rate.
While utilizing graphics-intensive programs, close any redundant background programs. This is because background programs may be stealing CPU cycles that may be used to improve graphical performance.
You can find up-to-date drivers on the website of your motherboard manufacturer. They could have provided drivers with improved performance for specific applications.
Think about overclocking your computer. Other components, including memory and CPU, can also be overclocked to improve graphics performance.
Overclocking your CPU entails boosting the core clock speed and front-side bus, as well as obtaining reduced memory timings.
To find more about overclocking your integrated graphics, check Overclocking Integrated Graphics (All You Need to Know)
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