RAM and Video RAM

[George]

My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
RAM to work as VRAM?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !

[Noel Paton]

If you're using Shared RAM, then your video adapter is on the motherboard -
and adding RAM for that is simply not possible.
You need to upgrade to a 'proper' video card - either PCI or AGP-based
depending on your system. Some onboard adapters however do allow you to
increase the allocated RAM. Go to the manufacturer's website for
instructions/information or post the details of your motherboard here.

Make sure that before you spend the money, it will support your new software

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"George" > wrote in message
...
> My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> RAM to work as VRAM?
>
> Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !

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pixels per second-GEO-Metry engine blows past millions of [T&L] polygons per
second and supports fully programmable pixel and vertex shaders! HI-RES
32-bit, 3D gaming up to 2048x1536 for head-shooting, flesh-ripping,
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"George" > wrote in message
...
> My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> RAM to work as VRAM?
>
> Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !

[Jack E Martinelli]

http://www.compusa.com/adproducts/product_info.asp?product_code=316027&pfp=ADPRODUCTS

Xtasy Radeon 9550 Video Card, 8x AGP, 128MB DDR
Manufacturer: VisionTek
Mfg Part #: VTK9550128A
Product Number: 316027

Was: $99.99
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SAVE $30 after:
$10.00 instant rebate(s)
$20.00 mail-in rebate(s)
-------


VGA Charts IV AGP Video Cards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Created:
October 4, 2004
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By:
Lars Weinand
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http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/index.html

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
<CajunClickers @ hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> $40 after rebate
>
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=304460&pfp=SEARCH
> MIND-BLOWING gaming performance The Xtasy 9200 SE powered by ATI's RadeonT
> 9200 SE VPU with 128MB or 64MB DDR memory provides an intense,
barrier-free,
> FRAGGING experience.
>
> Extra HORSEPOWER behind 4 rendering pipelines provides the fastest gaming
> performance in its class. The Xtasy 9200 SE powers through 1.1 billion
> pixels per second-GEO-Metry engine blows past millions of [T&L] polygons
per
> second and supports fully programmable pixel and vertex shaders! HI-RES
> 32-bit, 3D gaming up to 2048x1536 for head-shooting, flesh-ripping,
> OVERWHELMING graphics power.
>
> "George" > wrote in message
> ...
> > My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> > People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> > video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> > wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> > a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> > RAM to work as VRAM?
> >
> > Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !
>
>

[Andrew Murray]

That's what your "Shared video ram" is. but it takes a chunk away from your
system RAM so you're better of having a separate video card with 64 to 128
megs.

Tese days, games demand it (being 3d games and so on whether you play Double
Dragon (!?) or Flight Simulator or Need for Speed 2 Hot Pursuit - the
graphics and game play demand a high powered PC to cope..

"George" > wrote in message
...
> My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> RAM to work as VRAM?
>
> Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !

[Jack E Martinelli]

VGA Charts V: PCI Express Graphics Cards
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041222/index.html

Read the earlier four parts of this series at Tom's Hardware Guide (THG) and
you will almost be a graphics expert.
Cf. www.anandtech.com
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Andrew Murray" > wrote in message
...
> That's what your "Shared video ram" is. but it takes a chunk away from
your
> system RAM so you're better of having a separate video card with 64 to 128
> megs.
>
> Tese days, games demand it (being 3d games and so on whether you play
Double
> Dragon (!?) or Flight Simulator or Need for Speed 2 Hot Pursuit - the
> graphics and game play demand a high powered PC to cope..
>
> "George" > wrote in message
> ...
> > My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> > People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> > video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> > wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> > a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> > RAM to work as VRAM?
> >
> > Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !
>
>

[Rick T]

"George" > wrote in news:1c8001c4d2a7
:

> My copmputer has a 256MB RAM and 8MB shared video RAM.
> People say that to play games that require 32 MB or 64 MB
> video RAM, I need to buy an extra VRAM card. I'm just
> wondering if there is a way out of this instead of buying
> a new card. Can't something be done to get a part of my
> RAM to work as VRAM?
>
> Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !
>

Your integrated-graphics subsystem may be able to use more than 8MB of
shared memory; read the motherboard manual (or look in the BIOS at boot).

VRAM is physically different from "regular" RAM and is rarely used these
days, though I'm sure you mean RAM dedicated to video processing.

If you run a game at a lower-resolution (screen-size) then you won't
require as much memory.


Rick