Aluminum macbook 256 Graphics memory to 512?

[mynameisadam]

hi,

i have the 2.4 Ghz with 4gb ram,

what i am wondering is, in the mac OSX the video GPU is 256 shared, but when switched into Windows Xp or Vista unsure, increases to 512.

Why would this occur?
increasing the memory by 2x with directx 10 would have a Great effect on Any gaming.

 

[Palliser]

maybe it has something to do with virtual memory in windows OS? just a thought...

 

[alphaod]

Because in Windows the amount of shared VRAM is based on how much memory you have; in this case it's set to 512MB.

My computer sets the VRAM to 1.5GB which is really just useless.

 

[mynameisadam]

Because in Windows the amount of shared VRAM is based on how much memory you have; in this case it's set to 512MB.

My computer sets the VRAM to 1.5GB which is really just useless.

so its reading it wrong? or does it expand and eat up more ram to increase the vram?(which is fine with me) but doesnt the vram make a difference? :S

 

[svndmvn]

so its reading it wrong? or does it expand and eat up more ram to increase the vram?(which is fine with me) but doesnt the vram make a difference? :S

The OS decides how to use the RAM, I believe, since it's shared and not dedicated it can only get better from 256 to 512, no worries.

 

[alphaod]

so its reading it wrong? or does it expand and eat up more ram to increase the vram?(which is fine with me) but doesnt the vram make a difference? :S

So it may take up that much RAM, but if it doesn't need it, it won't. So yes it will expand and each up to 512MB of RAM.

 

[mynameisadam]

So it may take up that much RAM, but if it doesn't need it, it won't. So yes it will expand and each up to 512MB of RAM.

is there a way to do that in the mac os?
also can you adjust it in the windows so it will be expanded always to 512 and if possible even more?
and does the increase in vram show in performance?

 

[ayeying]

In windows XP, it is actually 512MB of shared video ram in use. In Vista, it is 256MB. I don't know why, but in XP SP3, I can play GTA4 in 1280x800 with no problems but in Vista, I can barely hit 800x600 before i run out of resources.

 

[Vancouvercanuck]

In windows XP, it is actually 512MB of shared video ram in use. In Vista, it is 256MB. I don't know why, but in XP SP3, I can play GTA4 in 1280x800 with no problems but in Vista, I can barely hit 800x600 before i run out of resources.

So if i get you right, Macbook would actually out-performed Macbook pro in Window XP SP3 because Macbook pro can only use 9600m with only 256MB Vram while Macbook can use the 9400m with 512MB?

 

[dlewis23]

So if i get you right, Macbook would actually out-performed Macbook pro in Window XP SP3 because Macbook pro can only use 9600m with only 256MB Vram while Macbook can use the 9400m with 512MB?

No, Performance isn't just based on the amount of vram you have. Since the 9600m is a discreet graphics card and uses its own GPU instead of the CPU with the 9400m the 9600m it would out perform the 9400m any day, in any task.

 

[morrisman1]

not in any task

there will be situations where the direct link between the gpu and the cpu will work better than the gpu to cpu via a northbridge.

thats getting picky though.

my 9400m here in the macbook will outperform a 6800gt in my old desktop. probably be on par with a 7800gt and have support for more features

 

[eXoBrute]

Whata bout Windows 7? whats the vRam used in it? 256mb?

 

[ayeying]

Whata bout Windows 7? whats the vRam used in it? 256mb?

256MB, same as Vista.

Remember, more vRam =/= More Performance. The chip itself is important, not the ram.

 

[aznguyen316]

Wow so games will run better in xp due to more Vram? Well then again it cannot handle 4gb total ram in 32 bit hmmm interesting. Been trying to figure out what OS to get for Alu MB to play a few games with 4gb ram installed. Vista 64 or use xp

 

[ayeying]

Wow so games will run better in xp due to more Vram? Well then again it cannot handle 4gb total ram in 32 bit hmmm interesting. Been trying to figure out what OS to get for Alu MB to play a few games with 4gb ram installed. Vista 64 or use xp

like I said, more video ram DOES NOT MEAN MORE PERFORMANCE

 

[dlewis23]

Wow so games will run better in xp due to more Vram? Well then again it cannot handle 4gb total ram in 32 bit hmmm interesting. Been trying to figure out what OS to get for Alu MB to play a few games with 4gb ram installed. Vista 64 or use xp

Windows XP may run games a few FPS faster but not because it has more video ram. XP isn't as resource intensive as vista so games tend to run a a few FPS faster.

 

[aznguyen316]

Windows XP may run games a few FPS faster but not because it has more video ram. XP isn't as resource intensive as vista so games tend to run a a few FPS faster.

Yeah, although I found a slimmed down "gamers" version of vista 64 that looked pretty good. May have to try to slim down my vista and see if it performs any better.