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help needed

H

hkpower

n00b
Joined
Apr 20, 2007
Messages
21
what does it mean when the computer specs say "total available graphics memory (vista) 319mb"? does that mean i can only get a video card that is 320mb in memory. what if i want a 512mb card. does that mean only 319mb of that card will be used?
 
Does this refer to a computer that you own? Might be referring to onboard video.
 
that is just what you have currently available..You can have whatever size video memory you want. provided the video card has that much.
 
its my computer. it came with nvidia 6150 on the mobo. if i want to upgrade, its just up to me on how much memory i want?
 
Yup, its just telling you how much video card memory you have at the present time. If you upgraded to the 640mb card, it would say "total available graphics memory (vista) 640mb"
 
but the graphics that came with the system is said to be 128mb. so why would it say 319mb available even though its a 128mb graphics card. i wonder where they got that 319mb. from my point of view, it seems like vista only allow up to 319mb for graphics. so if i get lets say a 512mb graphics card, would only 319 of that 512 will be used by vista? ill try to call HP and ask them whats it about.
 
No that isn't what its telling you. It means you have a card with 320mb of memory.

What video card do you have?
 
Usually the bios will allow you to change the amount of available memory for your onboard video card. This is because the onboard video uses your RAM. Don't be silly Vista does not limit how much memory your video card can use. The card itself and the drivers determine memory useage for the graphics card, unless its onboard video in which case the bios will determine that.
 
if it's a 6150, then it likely is using turbo cache, which allows for the 128mb on the card (or chip on the board), and the other amount being listed is being taken from your total available system memory. in other words, you're using your main system memory to boost your graphics memory. it's a way for manufacturers to get away with onboard that isn't completely crippled. the only problem is that you're pulling system RAM to do it, and as a result, you may see applications suffer in load times, and other functions because of this configuration.
 
so if i go ahead and get a graphics card and install it, will my computer still be using my RAM? i guess it shouldnt right? because it only use the RAM for the graphics card is onboard the mobo.
 
You are correct. It will no longer use your ram. You may have to disable your onboard video in the bios when you put the new card in.
 
Ah okay. I was about to laugh if this guy had an 8800 320mb version and didn't know any of this stuff :D
 
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