Before attempting to increase VRAM, it’s highly recommended to understand what VRAM does and when its expansion is beneficial.
How to Increase Dedicated Video RAM?
To increase VRAM, you can follow one of two methods: through BIOS settings or via the registry editor. Both methods may help run games that require more VRAM. However, it’s often more effective to purchase an affordable GPU.
Check the Amount of VRAM
Before increasing Video RAM, you should verify the current amount of VRAM on your system:
1. Increase VRAM From Motherboard BIOS Settings
Some computers offer a feature called Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) within the BIOS settings, which allows users to allocate more VRAM. This could reduce your physical RAM because the increase in Pre-Allocated VRAM is taken from system memory. Some BIOS settings may also enable you to specify a custom amount of memory to allocate. However, use caution to avoid system instability. If your system doesn’t support this option, you could use the registry editor method to simulate increased VRAM.
2. Increase VRAM Via Registry Editor
Using the registry editor, you can create a DedicatedSegmentSize entry that tricks the system into reporting more VRAM than actually present. This can sometimes enable a game with high VRAM requirements to run on a system with less VRAM.
3. Upgrade System RAM (Integrated GPUs)
Stepping up your RAM could be a strategic move, particularly if you’re using an integrated GPU that relies on shared system memory. When you increase your computer’s total RAM, you proportionally boost the memory available for the GPU to use as VRAM. This can lead to improved performance for graphically intensive tasks and gaming, especially in systems where the graphics chip doesn’t have its own dedicated memory.
