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Maximizing Intel GMA 900 Memory on Dimension E310?
I have a Dimension E310 but the Intel Graphics card is using only 11 MB. But it states that the maximum is 128 MB. How can I maximize it to 128 MB?
Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver Report
Report Date: 09/29/2012
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 23:25:18
Driver Version: 6.14.10.4670
Operating System: Windows XP* Professional, Service Pack 3 (5.1.2600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0
Physical Memory: 1014 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 128 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 11 MB
Processor: x86
Processor Speed: 2793 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2582
Device Revision: 04
* Accelerator Information *
Accelerator in Use: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 3414
Current Graphics Mode: 1280 by 1024 True Color (75 Hz)
* Devices Connected to the Graphics Accelerator *
Active Monitors: 1
* Monitor *
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Display Type: Not Available
Gamma Value: 2.20
DDC2 Protocol: Supported
Maximum Image Size: Horizontal: 13.0 inches
Vertical: 10.0 inches
Monitor Supported Modes:
640 by 480 (60 Hz)
640 by 480 (75 Hz)
720 by 400 (70 Hz)
800 by 600 (60 Hz)
800 by 600 (75 Hz)
1024 by 768 (60 Hz)
1024 by 768 (75 Hz)
1152 by 864 (75 Hz)
1280 by 1024 (60 Hz)
1280 by 1024 (75 Hz)
Display Power Management Support:
Standby Mode: Supported
Suspend Mode: Supported
Active Off Mode: Supported
* Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners.
osprey4
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October 2nd, 2012 13:00
The Dimension E310 is a basic model. You could try a dedicated video card, such as the Sparkle GeForce 8400GS for under $70.
osprey4
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September 30th, 2012 05:00
Hi Zhengalanzheng,
In the BIOS, there is a setting for video memory size. Try increasing that.
However, integrated graphics share system memory and I think what you see is just the amount of system memory in use at the time. This should increase/decrease as needed.
zhengalanzheng
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September 30th, 2012 19:00
I went into the BIOS and then went down to the video part. I pressed enter and all I saw was 2 options: Use 1 MB or 8 MB. Basically, the 8 MB is already selected. But I don't see how I can maximize it to 128 MB since the options are only 1 MB or 8 MB.
jackshack
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September 30th, 2012 21:00
The setting that you can change is the aperture; sort of a buffer to hold graphics data while getting sent to the main video RAM. The actual video RAM is controlled automatically by the BIOS and is dependent on the amount of RAM you have installed. I don't know where the dividing points are, but I know that if you have maxed out the RAM on this machine (2 GB according to Dell) you have also made 128 MB available to the integrated video adapter.
jackshack
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October 1st, 2012 00:00
Not necessarily; that's why I mentioned that I didn't know where the switch points are. Memory is reserved for video starting around 32 MB when you have about 256 MB of RAM or less. As you increase the amount of RAM, the code in the BIOS calculates the new value as the amount of RAM is increased. Dell documentation indicates that this computer can handle a maximum of 2 GB of memory. At that point, the amount of RAM reserved for the video adapter must be at the maximum the computer can support, or 128 MB. I'm afraid I have no idea how much RAM is enough to trigger the reservation of 128 MB of it for the video. At 1 GB you may already be there. The computer was designed to handle Windows XP, which used to get along fine with 512 MB of RAM before the firewalls and anti-virus programs began demanding more space
My Dimension 2400's did pretty much the same thing, and I seem to recall that they had already hit the 128 MB reservation by the time I had 1 GB in the machines. Since I installed FX 5200 video cards after I had the machines for about a year, I didn't pay much attention to what was reserved. I was busy wishing there was a way to turn that feature off!
zhengalanzheng
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October 1st, 2012 00:00
So are you saying that I need 2 GB of ram to have 128 MB available for my integrated video card? I only have 1 GB ram on this computer.
zhengalanzheng
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October 1st, 2012 02:00
I really wish I can do more with this computer. It can't even run a 13 year old game in 100 fps. Just sad to see that I have to throw this thing away in a few months when I buy all the hardware I need to build a new rig. I would give it away, but nobody wants scrap metal in their house.
zhengalanzheng
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October 2nd, 2012 17:00
Thanks for the answer. But I don't think I'm going to invest money into this computer. Believe me. I'm never buying computers from manufacturers again. Guess it's time for me to stop being lazy and just build a ultimate gaming rig by myself.
osprey4
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October 3rd, 2012 07:00
Good luck!
DELL-Roshan L
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May 18th, 2013 05:00
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