K215B video memory choice in BIOS

[quantumfly]

Hi all,

I've got a VAIO K215B and have just upgraded to 1GB of RAM. When checking in the BIOS to see if the memory had installed properly I noticed I could change the amount of memory reserved for my video card. The choice between 32MB, 64MB and 128MB was given. Can anyone tell me what difference this is gonna make in the performance of the computer? I don't play games but do a bit of CAD and a little graphic design using Adobe CS2.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[quantumfly]

No-one got anything useful to say?

Or have I posted this in the wrong section?

[Blencogo]

Hi Chris,

Difficult to explain ............. but here goes:

Your ATI Radeon IGP 345M graphics has no video memory of its own and uses the system RAM.

This is usually set to 64MB reserved which means that if you look in Control Panel -> System, the RAM shown will be 64MB less than you have installed in total (1024 - 64 = 960MB).

Your ATI Radeon IGP 345M also has the ability to use up to 128MB of RAM if this is available - but unless you reserve this is the BIOS it may not be available.

If you reserve 126MB in the BIOS, your System cannot use it (as it is reserved for graphics)and the system screen will show total RAM as 128MB less than you have installed (1024 - 128 = 896MB).

It's your choice but I think most users would leave the Reserved at 64MB and let the system take advantage of any spare RAM if it is needed. A dedicated games player may choose to reserve the maximum 128MB (but to be fair, a dedicated games player would probably no longer be using a K215)

[quantumfly]

Hi Blencogo,

Thanks for the reply. I understand the playoff between more video memory/less system memory. I was just wondering whether or not I would gain anything from maxing out the video memory when all I use my computer for is stuff like photo editing, graphics creation and DTP. Bearing in mind that I may be playing a DVD at the same time.

(but to be fair, a dedicated games player would probably no longer be using a K215) 

Fair point :smileywink:, tried to play Tomb Raider Legend - painfully slow

[rich912]

I was just wondering whether or not I would gain anything from maxing out the video memory when all I use my computer for is stuff like photo editing, graphics creation and DTP. 

I suggest that you experiment and settle on the best configuration for your particular requirement…