I'm trying to understand the differences between graphics cards that share memory and graphics cards with their own dedicated memory. The only reason I have been considering the 2.2, 15" MBP is its 1GB dedicated graphics memory option. Size-wise, I prefer the 13" MBP, but its graphics card is a turn off. I notice that Apple's website states "384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory" when describing the 13" MBP's graphics capabilities. Can the graphics card in the 13" MBP use more than 384MB? If so, how much more?
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Graphics Cards and Shared Memory
- Thread starter Performa636CD
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thats why in my 13" 2010 MBP, the ram that could be used is only 3.75gb not 4gb because the 256 is reserved for the graphics card.
Ok, but I was hoping the graphics card could use more than 384MB. On Apple's website, the footnote states, "Minimum graphics memory usage is 384MB." I was hoping maybe up to 768 or 1GB was possible if the 13" MBP had enough memory to "lend" to the graphics card.
I think if you add more ram like 8gb it shows as 512mb.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2788041?threadID=2788041&tstart=-1
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2788041?threadID=2788041&tstart=-1
correct, I have 8GB in my 17" - i'm curious if it uses more if you have 16GB ram.
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So 384 MB isn't the limit...I was hoping that was the case. But 512MB is the maximum ceiling? I guess that's better than nothing.
Thanks for the answers everyone.
Even if that's the case, going to 16GB RAM to get 1GB (I assume) of graphics memory seems like a stretch...or maybe not.
To get the 512MB, do you need 8GB of RAM? Or would 4GB do?