INCREASE VRAM ON PC 

This article explains how to increase VRAM using BIOS/UEFI and the Windows registry on Windows 7, 8, and 10, and how to check how much you have.

Increase VRAM Using the BIOS/UEFI

Some Windows PCs and laptops will let you assign more system memory to the onboard GPU in the BIOS/UEFI. To do so, access the BIOS or UEFI as explained in this guide. Each BIOS and UEFI is a little different, depending on the manufacturer and BIOS/UEFI version, so you may need to refer to the manual to find out any specifics for access keys and layout.

When in the BIOS/UEFI, search for menus labeled Advanced Features or Advanced Chipset Features. If you can find them, you want to look within them for Graphics Settings, Video Settings, and similar. Ultimately you're trying to find an option that allows you to change VGA Share Memory Size or VRAM Size.

If these options exist within your system's particular BIOS/UEFI, then you'll be able to change between 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, or maybe even 1024MB. If you have 2GB of system memory, select 256MB; if you have 4GB, select 512MB, and if you have 8GB, select 1024MB.

Increase VRAM Using the Registry

Another method to increase VRAM in your PC is through the system registry. This is a little more complicated and if you don't know what you're doing you can damage your Windows installation, so be careful and read up on how to access and use the Windows registry before trying it.

Consider making a Windows system restore point too.

1. Press the Windows key+R and type regedit. Then press Enter.

2. If you're using Intel onboard graphics, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel.

   If you're using an AMD APU, change the last menu option in that chain to AMD.

   

3. Right-click (or tap and hold) on the Intel or AMD folder and select New > Key. Name it GMM.

4. Select the new GMM folder and right-click (or tap and hold) in the right Windows pane. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Name it DedicatedSegmentSize and give it a (Decimal) value equalling the amount of VRAM you want your GPU to have access to. If you have 4GB of system memory, 512MB would be a good value to opt for. If you have 8GB, 1024 would be a good choice.

6. Restart your system and then follow the steps below to see how much VRAM you have. If it reports the higher value, you may have improved your system's performance and made it possible to play games with minimum limits on VRAM usage.

Check How Much VRAM You Have

Dedicated Video RAM, or VRAM, the colloquial term for the amount of memory (RAM) your system's graphics processing unit (GPU) has access to, can be a major factor in your Windows PC's gaming and 3D rendering performance. Without enough of it, assets have to be pulled from the far slower system storage.

Before you attempt to increase VRAM in your Windows PC, you need to know how much you have already.

1. Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing Windows key+I.

   If using Windows 7 or 8, right-click (or tap and hold) on the desktop and select Screen Resolution, then skip to step 3.

2. Select System, followed by Display in the left-hand menu.

   

3. Scroll down until you see Advanced display settings. Select it.

4. If you have more than one display in use, make sure the main one connected to your GPU is selected in the top drop-down menu. Then select Display adapter properties.

   

5. The figure next to Dedicated Video Memory is how much VRAM your GPU currently has available.

   

If you're not sure whether you're using a dedicated graphics card or an onboard GPU solution, then this screen will tell you, too. If your Chip Type is listed as an AMD Radeon Graphics Processor or an Nvidia GTX device, you are using a dedicated graphics card. If it says Intel HD Graphics or AMD Accelerated Processing Unit, then you're using onboard graphics and may be able to increase your VRAM.