How to check how much Video RAM a game uses

atlr · Post by **atlr** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:16 pm

I have been helping a friend choose a new video card. Cards these days come with 128, 256, 320, 512, 640 or 768 MB. If you also have been wondering how much memory on a card is enough memory, a couple of programs that run on Windows can help you figure that out.

1) RivaTuner
2) Video Memory Watcher

I preferred RivaTuner over Video Memory Watcher since I have used RivaTuner before.

1) RivaTuner
The Hardware Monitoring option in RivaTuner can show Video Memory usage. To configure RivaTuner, choose Hardware Monitoring from the Customize(little triangle) menu. Click on the Setup button. Click on the Plugins button in the lower left corner of Hardware monitoring setup. Scroll through the list and choose Vidmem.dll. I like to select CPU.dll too. Ok out of these dialog boxes.

Leave RivaTuner Hardware Monitoring running and play your game.

RivaTuner 2 http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

2) VidMemWatch.exe
Video Memory Watcher require a recent Directx 9 build and .net framework.

Video Memory Watcher utility http://www.nonatainment.de/web/Default.aspx?tabid=62
DirectX9 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... layLang=en
.net 1.1 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... layLang=en

Launch Video Memory Watcher before you start a game. It remains running on the desktop and records utilization as you play. Having a dual monitor setup is handy to watch it, but isn't necessary because "Card Memory Usage" retains the peak value.

After you exit the game, note the "Card Memory Usage". Ideally, you don't want "Card Memory Usage" to exceed the amount of usable Video RAM on your graphics card. Usable video RAM is the value of Maximum Card Memory minus Maximum System Memory. If "Card Memory Usage" is higher than the card's video RAM, try adjusting game settings to reduce video RAM utilization to see if that increase game performance. More conveniently, RivaTuner breaks out video RAM utilization as a separate value.

I mention 'usable video RAM' because these progrms would show a 128MB Radeon had 118MB available. I wild guess is that some video RAM remains reserved for a frame buffer but I don't know for sure.

"System Memory" in Video Memory Watcher is the AGP aperture memory. This is the first time I have seen when AGP aperture memory is actually used. AGP aperture memory is the amount of system memory that can be used when the card's Video RAM fills up. http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/ove ... vidcard/43

I played around with Doom3, Task Manager and Video Memory Watcher on my trusty AMD Tbird 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GB RAM and Radeon 9800 128MB.

Video Ram Utilization on a Radeon 9800 when running Doom3
48 MB 640x480 @ Medium Quality (256MB System RAM, demo1=29 fps)
64 MB 1024x768 @ Medium Quality (300MB System RAM, demo1=26 fps)
178 MB 1280x1024 @ Ultra Quality (600MB System RAM, demo1=9 fps)

I have not seen video ram utilization described analytically like this in video card or game reviews. If you write card or game reviews and use this tip, please give some props to 'atlr.'

InsolenceAndHeresy · Post by **InsolenceAndHeresy** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:18 pm

actually, most games have a console/debug command that'll show a whole bunch of statistics on screen.

Post by **dicecca112** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:40 pm

Do not double post. I deleted the other thread

atlr · Post by **atlr** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:02 pm

InsolenceAndHeresy,

Cool. I have not played games lately. Would you mind posting directions to post video ram utilization on some games?

I started looking into video ram usage while helping out a friend choose an upgrade path for handling Vanguard. When you stand back and look at it, it's a bit nutty to be spending hundreds of dollars to play a game. But, hey, it's a hobby; one that I experience vicariously now through my friends. Wouldn't you know it; raising kids ends up outranking maintaining a fast gaming rig of my own.

largon · Post by **largon** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:31 am

I bet DirectX10 will fill even the 1GB on R600 boards.

High res texture FTW!

RickyG512 · Post by **RickyG512** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:13 am

so say if ur using 200mb on a 256mb card and there is a 512mb version of the same card, buying the 512mb version of wont offer any more frames will it ?

atlr · Post by **atlr** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:06 am

RickyG512,

Correct. And sometimes a 512MB model will be slower than a 256MB model when less than 265MB video memory is in use because the memory clock on the 512MB is set lower than the 256MB version.

Sometimes manufactureres don't post the memory clock on the box or on their web site so you have to find reviews that talk about what the memory clock speeds are.

Azndude51 · Post by **Azndude51** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:12 pm

That's pretty interesting. I'm currently trying to decide between the 320MB and 640MB 8800GTS, this will help.

InsolenceAndHeresy · Post by **InsolenceAndHeresy** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:38 pm

you should really go for the 640 because as more and more games use higher and higher res textures, your computer will thank you for the VRAM.

Qarl's Texture Pack 3 FTW!

amdathlonfx · Post by **amdathlonfx** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:25 am

I think you should always go for the greater memory amount your money can buy.Though it may not be that obvious,but there r some certain advantages of having the extra memory.

atlr · Post by **atlr** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:24 am

If you can spend $400, I would get the XXX 640MB GTS from XFX. Or wait until April to see the new ATI and Nvidia cards talked about in some fo the other threads here.

Azndude51 wrote:That's pretty interesting. I'm currently trying to decide between the 320MB and 640MB 8800GTS, this will help.