HD3000 performance and RAM

[Joel95]

Apple's website says it's shared with main memory, and that 348 MB is the minimum.
Intel's website says the HD 3000 will only use 1.7 GB of RAM maximum (Windows 7 though, no mention of Mac OSX).
source: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-029090.htm#max

Since we can't make the chip use a set minimum or maximum on a mac, I don't think it's worth swapping out the 4GB sticks for 6GB or 8GB sticks, unless you do heavy multitasking.

 

[motoracer1486]

I have 8GB and currently only have 3.59 GB free. I only have a few things open too. 4GB definitely wouldn't be sufficient.

 

[Joel95]

I have 8GB and currently only have 3.59 GB free. I only have a few things open too. 4GB definitely wouldn't be sufficient.

4 GB used by a few apps? Those apps must be demanding

 

[tonyunreal]

1GB of video memory is a lot, and games that need a lot of video memory tend to be more power hungry on rendering speed and video memory bandwidth. Considering the subpar performance of the HD3000 and the slower access to shared system memory, I think running out of video memory should be the least of your concern.

Nonetheless the integrated chip does run a lot of not-so-new games, and some casual games with simple graphics play very smooth at native resolution.

 

[Naimfan]

I thought I read here that the 3000 will take more than 384 MB Of RAM if 8 GB is installed. I have 8 GB on order and will take a look when it arrives.

Not sure if it makes much difference.

 

[AFPoster]

I have the high end 15" 2011 mbp 2.2ghz with 4gb of ram (I get my 8gb sticks Monday) and I've never had any issues with heavy multitasking. I actually have no issues at all. The only reason for the upgrade is because I have about 30 excel files ranging from 5 - 25mb's that i have to scan through and we all know that if a file is a mb in excel that's a heck of a lot of data. I also want to have 8 for when I switch from Bootcamp to VMFusion for Win 7 Pro.

 

[llenuts]

I thought I read here that the 3000 will take more than 384 MB Of RAM if 8 GB is installed. I have 8 GB on order and will take a look when it arrives.

Not sure if it makes much difference.

Just had a look at details of my 2011 MBP 13" i7 w/ 8gb RAM and its showing VRAM used by the HD3000 at 512mb. I was unaware the VRAM increased with more system RAM so I'm pleased to see that

 

[Kyzelios]

The following Apple Support document outlines how Intel-based Macs with integrated video utilize system memory: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3246

For the Intel HD Graphics 3000 found in the MacBook Pro (Early 2011):

Intel HD Graphics 3000 allocates a base amount of 384 MB for video and processes at startup. For example, a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) with 4 GB of RAM installed has 3.7 GB of memory available to Mac OS X and applications (4096-384=3712). For portables that have been upgraded to 8 GB of RAM, the Intel HD Graphics 3000 will allocate 512 MB of system memory instead of 384 MB. For example, a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) with 8 GB of RAM has 7.6 GB of available memory (8192-512=7680)

Hope that helps, have a great day!