GPU query

[ldiaco]

When I go into the BIOS menu during boot-up, I find an option that
talks about graphics memory. Having to do with this, I had asked for
help about graphics memory before, and I just had a follow up
question, but I never got a response. Anyways, I got this Radeon
X1600 with 512Mb in the saddle (lol). The BIOS.....

A) Does not go up to 512mb, it only goes up to 256mb.

B)is on a MOBO without a built in graphics card

C)does not present the option of "turning off" this 256mb
option

D)seems to effect my system... I recently set it to 4mb (the minimum),
and I have been having slow graphics in a graphics heavy gamem as well
as CTDs in said game.

I have an ASUS mobo, and I just need some guidance here. Im gonna get
back to you guys soon with what the BIOS exactly says (tho I think
this doesn't mean squat).


OK, so I just rebooted, and I have three options in the same sequence:


Graphics Adapter Priority PCI/AGP or AGP/PCI

Graphices Aperature Size 4,8,16,32,64,128,256 MBs

Spread Spectrum Enable/Disable

What should I be set for here?

 

[wasbit]

Is your gfx card AGP or PCIe? I'm not up with the latest models.

Bios Performance settings - http://www.omegadrivers.net/mb_bios.php
If you want to keep this for future use, copy & paste the print into
notepad and save on your pc.

 

[kony]

When I go into the BIOS menu during boot-up, I find an option that
talks about graphics memory. Having to do with this, I had asked for
help about graphics memory before, and I just had a follow up
question, but I never got a response. Anyways, I got this Radeon
X1600 with 512Mb in the saddle (lol). The BIOS.....

A) Does not go up to 512mb, it only goes up to 256mb.

The bios setting is for AGP aperture, it is not directly
related to how much memory is on the X1600. See the
following 'site, on which you will also find a lot more
information about other bios settings. Briefly with your
card you can set the aperture to the smallest setting, 4MB.
http://www.adriansrojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/New_BIOS_Guide/AGP_Aperture_Size.htm

B)is on a MOBO without a built in graphics card

It is due to having the AGP slot on the motherboard.

C)does not present the option of "turning off" this 256mb
option

D)seems to effect my system... I recently set it to 4mb (the minimum),
and I have been having slow graphics in a graphics heavy gamem as well
as CTDs in said game.

This is unusual, what is CTD?
Did you then try increasing the value above 4MB and saw an
improvement from doing so? If so, it would seem fairly
obvious to use a higher setting but it is curious that it
would make a difference if it does.

I have an ASUS mobo, and I just need some guidance here. Im gonna get
back to you guys soon with what the BIOS exactly says (tho I think
this doesn't mean squat).


OK, so I just rebooted, and I have three options in the same sequence:


Graphics Adapter Priority PCI/AGP or AGP/PCI

If you had two video cards, one AGP and one PCI, this
setting would determine which is considered the primary
adapter, the one which receives the bios, booting, and
operating system primary adapter output. With only one
video card in the system the setting should not matter
(unless you had a bios bug), there is only one adapter that
could be primary in that case and you have video output so
the setting can be left as-is.

Graphices Aperature Size 4,8,16,32,64,128,256 MBs

Spread Spectrum Enable/Disable

What should I be set for here?

I set Spread Spectrum to disabled, but it's often because I
like to find a stability margin through overclocking and
when doing so, it is possibly less stable with Spread
Spectrum enabled. Otherwise, at normal specified stock
speeds it should be stable with it enabled. Unless you have
a particular reason to change the setting it may as well be
left as-is.

The same goes for other bios settings, until you know you
need to change them they are best left at the default values
- which were chosen to work with the motherboard and the
remaining factor tends to be whether there are any bios bugs
or setttings changes needed to accomdate unique parts which
would vary per system such as memory or CPU speed
parameters, drive boot sequencing, etc.