Miisreporint video memory

[BillClark]

I have a brand new laptop w/ Vista Ultimate. I have the nVidia 8600GS w/
512mb RAM on the card, Vista only reports it as being 256mb. What is going
on? I've seen the same thing on a Dell laptop with a slightly different
video card and being misreported too. Any ideas? I have the lastest Vista
drivers for the card.

Bill

 

[PvdG42]

I have a brand new laptop w/ Vista Ultimate. I have the nVidia 8600GS w/
512mb RAM on the card, Vista only reports it as being 256mb. What is going
on? I've seen the same thing on a Dell laptop with a slightly different
video card and being misreported too. Any ideas? I have the lastest Vista
drivers for the card.

Bill

Please provide a link to specifications for your particular video card. I
see a lot of 8600GS cards advertised as 512 Meg, but only 256 Meg actually
on board. What brand and model?

 

[Guest]

Bill,

You're getting this result because your card is a 512 MB turbo cache
configuration, meaning it has 256 MB on-board with the balance shared with
system RAM, thus giving you 512 MB.

 

[BillClark]

Here is the machine config:
HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
a.. Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
b.. Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/4MB L2Cache)
c.. 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
d.. 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
e.. 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
f.. HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam
g.. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth
h.. 200GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (100GB x 2)
i.. LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
j.. No TV Tuner w/remote control
k.. High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
l.. Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
m.. HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
This thing BETTER be a full 512mb dedicated video or HP will be getting this
back. I have never heard of any "turbo cache" before so I hope that isn't
the issue. Thanks.

Bill

 

[PvdG42]

Here is the machine config:
HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
a.. Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
b.. Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/4MB L2Cache)
c.. 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
d.. 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
e.. 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
f.. HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam
g.. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth
h.. 200GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (100GB x 2)
i.. LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
j.. No TV Tuner w/remote control
k.. High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
l.. Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
m.. HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
This thing BETTER be a full 512mb dedicated video or HP will be getting
this back. I have never heard of any "turbo cache" before so I hope that
isn't the issue. Thanks.

Bill

Actually, after visiting the HP web site, they describe your video as
*maximum* 512 Meg, but carefully never state the actual amount of memory on
board. The only way you're going to find out the truth is to contact HP and
pin them down. Tell them what your OS is reporting and ask them to explain.
FWIW, there have been numerous reports here of "Vista misreports my video
memory..." and every one I've seen was the result of a user who thought
their video card had more memory than was actually on board. IOW, Vista does
not misreport video RAM *on the card*.
Freddy mentioned the term "turbo-cache" which is one of the marketing
euphemisms for a card that uses system memory to reach its "maximum".
I find it a bit suspicious that HP does not simply provide the specs in a
clear manner.
Please tell us what you are told when you press them on this point.

 

[PvdG42]

Here is the machine config:
HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
a.. Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
b.. Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/4MB L2Cache)
c.. 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
d.. 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
e.. 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
f.. HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam
g.. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth
h.. 200GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (100GB x 2)
i.. LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
j.. No TV Tuner w/remote control
k.. High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
l.. Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
m.. HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
This thing BETTER be a full 512mb dedicated video or HP will be getting
this back. I have never heard of any "turbo cache" before so I hope that
isn't the issue. Thanks.

Bill

I spoke too soon. Reading the fine print on the HP site reveals:

511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
The NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 8600M GS delivers unparalleled levels of
graphics realism and performance. If configured with the 1GB DDR2 System
Memory (2 Dimm), there will be 256MB dedicated memory and up to 255MB shared
memory. If configured with the 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm), there will
be 256MB dedicated memory and up to 667MB shared memory. Key Features: Fully
unified shader core dynamically allocates processing power to geometry,
vertex, and pixel shading operations, enabling life-like realism?even in
complex scenes. Completely unified and optimized for current DirectX 9 and
next generation Direct X 10 games and applications. NVIDIA Lumenex(tm)
engine delivers incredible image quality, floating point accuracy, and fast
frame rates. DISCLAIMERS: Shared video memory (UMA) uses part of the total
system memory for video performance. System memory dedicated to video
performance is not available for other use by other programs. NVIDIA and
GeForce are registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corp.

See the "up to 255 MB shared memory...", and "up to 667MB shared memory"? As
you have 2 Gig of main memory, up to 667 MB may be used for the video card.

You have a 256 MB video card, despite its name.

 

[Guest]

Bill,

This technology whereby the graphics system uses regular computer RAM to
supplement its memory requirements is nothing to be upset about. This
methodology is used by all graphics card manufacturers these days. It is a
standard to which those vendors can build their cards. It has nothing to do
with misleading anyone. By using system RAM, the graphics card can function
more efficiently than it could by being limited to using only what memory in
built-into the card itself, and at a lower cost. It's a good feature,
really. In any case, you may never need to use that extra "turbo cache," but
it's there just in case that you do. Not all applications need that extra
RAM. It's not bad. It's good.

 

[Guest]

Bill,

Because the system can use computer RAM for graphics use doesn't mean that
that RAM isn't available for other uses. You still have 2 GB of RAM
available for regular use. It means that, when you need it for graphics, it
available. Otherwise, it's used by the rest of the system, it it needs it.
The situation is that you likely seldom ever need that much RAM anyway. It's
also likely that 4 GB will buy little or nothing for you. Most people don't
need it. In addition, many computer systems can't handle 4 GB of RAM
properly.

You have a very nice system, and the way the manufacturer discloses how
memory is handled is no different than the way it discloses how the computer
handles other situations. There is nothing devious about any of this. How
graphics works must be supported by the motherboard chipsets, the chipset
drivers, by the BIOS, and by the operating system. It's all part of the
computer. It doesn't operate by itself in a devious manner. This is part of
the new PCIe graphics architecture.

The older AGP graphics technology had its own way of using system RAM, but a
lot of people don't remember that fact. Remember, we had to set in BIOS how
the AGP cards used computer RAM. You can use google to review information
about this technology on the Internet. A lot of information is available.

 

[JW]

Good explanation especially when you consider that to process 720p or 1080i
programs with an HDTV tuner card and a single display only 128MB is required
by the graphics card. Then using my shared memory graphics card for normal
PC applications and a SD TV programs my card rarely used more then 30 MB of
shared memory.

 

[Bill Clark]

Thanks to all that replied. PVDG42 I did some more digging on HP's site and
came across that same info that you listed, about the whole "1gb of ram you
get this much video, 2gb you get this, blah blah blah". I still feel hosed
that this isn't openly displayed because if I knew that I would have opted
for 4gb ram to supplement what the video card "borrowed". Anyway, besides
that I do really like the rest of the laptop (except the annoying "rattle"
from the keyboard, but that is a different issue i'm taking up with HP).
Thanks again for the replies and great info!!

Bill