Allocating or specifying Mobile Intel(R) 915GM Memory Usage

Code:

	Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile Report


Report Date:		11/17/2010
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]:	21:04:28
Driver Version:		6.14.10.4363
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
[COLOR="Red"]Graphics Memory in Use:	13 MB[/COLOR]
Processor:		x86 family 6 Model 13 Stepping 8
Processor Speed:		1729 MHZ
Vendor ID:		8086
Device ID:		2592
Device Revision:		03


*   Accelerator Information   *

Accelerator in Use:		Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS:		1222
[COLOR="Red"]Current Graphics Mode:	1680 by 1050 True Color (60 Hz)[/COLOR]

So far this topics come up before, but has not been addressed. Does anyone know how to force this chipset to use a specific amount of memory for graphics? Its pretty clear that it dynamically allotting memory is not working efficiently and its annoyingly noticeable.

Any ideas or work a-rounds?

 

The amount of RAM allocated by the Intel 915 chipset to video graphics is limited by settings in the BIOS. The key to access the BIOS settings is usually displayed onscreen during bootup (F2, Del, ... ).

The amount in use depends upon the resolution and bit depth of the screen and the amount needed by Windows to display any running applications. It won't use 128MB to draw a background jpeg on the Desktop but it's likely that you'll see a DirectX error if you try to load a program (eg. 3D game) that requires more than say, 100MB of video RAM if your allocated limit is the maximum 128MB.

On your high-def laptop screen, the only way to reduce video RAM usage (thus increasing available video RAM) is to set the Desktop resolution to use a lower bit-depth, say dropping to 16-bit from 32- or 24-bit or to reduce the screen size to 1400x1050, 1024x768, etc.