bkdude

(this might be considered a video card question, but I put it here considering allocated main RAM space is in question. This thread can be moved if necessary)

Hello. I'm wondering just exactly how "available graphics memory" works and what kind of performance increases it allows.

Before I begin, here are some of my system specs:
3.2 Ghz Pentium D
3.25 gigabytes of DDR2 533 mhz RAM (4 physical ram, 3.25 recognized)
nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS w/ 256 MB dedicated RAM

I'm wondering if a game that requires/suggests more than 256 MB of V-RAM and uses some of the "total available graphics memory" (1663 MB for me) will see any significant changes in quality or performance than if I were to have a graphics card with 512 MB of dedicated memory with equal power to my current card.

Another question I have (sort-of goes off topic) regards the game Spore (or any game that asks for your total video memory). In the settings, theres settings for "video ram" that go from 256 MB to 2 GB. When I play Spore, I set it to 256 MB considering my card's dedicated RAM, but considering I have 1663MB of available shared memory, if I set it to something like 1 or 1.5 GB would I see increased performance? I do notice occasional chipping when loading planets, and this might be related to the lack of allocated video ram used by the game.

Any comments/suggestions/answers will be greatly appreciated :)

bkdude

Oh yes, I also forgot to mention that I use a monitor running at 1680x1050, but for future games my resolution might be adjusted to 1280x800 until I can afford building a better computer.

magnethead

I would say, try it an see. Although I thought allocated VRAM was for onboard VGA myself.