In short,

System memory is used to run windows and apps.

magicalclick

I know that; what I am saying is that my OS and various software applications are only detecting about 700mb of my 1gb of VRAM from my HD 5870.

I listed those specs because they were the only thing that actually said I had 1gb of dedicated video memory; both dxdiag, system labs, and various software apps on my computer, as I said, are only reading 700mg of my 1gb total.

I've come here because I am hoping that someone will know what to do, or will have at least had a little experience with this issue.

Cheers.

[QUOTE="aeatyes"]

[QUOTE="C_Rule"]Ignore what Windows tells you, and most definitely ignore 'Can You Run It' (never go there again!). I can't give you a definitive answer on why your memory is not being correctly interpreted, but if you know your RAM is there, and you're able to utilize it, just relax.C_Rule

For sure, I was just a bit concerned because I had read that some people have experienced this issue, and because of the misinterpretation, their games performed poorly. I'll keep going through games and see if I notice a performance drop.

Cheers.

I just installed the Witcher 2, and it scanned my system, and said that I had about 700mb of VRAM, so there is definitely a problem.

Not really sure what to do as my BIOS doesn't have any VRAM settings, and I'm not even sure it's a Mobo issue; it could be a MS issue.

Ignore what Windows tells you, and most definitely ignore 'Can You Run It' (never go there again!). I can't give you a definitive answer on why your memory is not being correctly interpreted, but if you know your RAM is there, and you're able to utilize it, just relax.C_Rule

For sure, I was just a bit concerned because I had read that some people have experienced this issue, and because of the misinterpretation, their games performed poorly. I'll keep going through games and see if I notice a performance drop.

Cheers.

So here's the story:

I just recently upgraded my Vista 64bit system to Windows 7 64bit, and installed a new mobo (ASRock Extreme3 Gen3), processor (i2500k), and RAM (G.SKill Sniper 8gb) as part of a moderate upgrade while I wait for the new Intel processors and next gen GPUs.

The problem I am having is that in both DxDiag and the SystemLabs Can I Run It, only 720mb of my HD5870's 1gb of VRAM is being detected. However, on the Windows Performance and Information screen that is generated by the Windows Experience Index, under the GPU category, it shows that I do indeed have 1gb of dedicated VRAM:

Display adapter type: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series

Total available graphics memory: 4819 MB

Dedicated graphics memory: 1024 MB

Dedicated system memory: 0 MB

Shared system memory: 3795 MB

Display adapter driver version: 8.902.0.0

Primary monitor resolution: 1920x1200

DirectX version: DirectX 10

My question(s) then are why is it that the previous two applications are only detecting 720mb of VRAM, and why is the above info. listing my PC as having 0mb of dedicated system memory?

To be clear, I have already flashed the BIOS and uninstalled and reinstalled the latest ATI drivers.

Any tips, work-arounds, or solutions would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[QUOTE="aeatyes"]

Thanks for all the feedback; I suppose, then, that it would be better to just pick up a 2600k and an SLI/Xfire capable mobo, and hold onto that for 3-4 years as I have done with my Core2.

I do plan on upgrading my GPU, but not at the moment; ideally, I would like to get my hands on a GTX580.

I realize that my originally proposed mobo is not dual-card capable, but since I was planning on doing a completely new rig down the line, I wouldn't mind the single card solution in the interium.

Anyway, I think I might just go with a 2600k and a better mobo and forgoe Ivybridge until whatever new architecture comes out after it.

Cheers!

evildead6789

Sounds solid. I'm going to just run with a 2500k; by the time we need more than four cores, I'll be comfortable with upgrading. Now I just need to decide on whether I want a single or dual card solution for GPU.

Cheers.

[QUOTE="superclocked"]You'll see a much bigger difference by just overclocking your CPU and getting a better videocard...kaitanuvax

Yes I'm sure he'll thoroughly enjoy those 20 fps dips in intense fight scenarios in BF3.

If I were running an older i7 generation, or hell, even a Q series, I might consider overclocking the CPU and holding out until Ivybridge, but my Core 2 Duo is old, and so is the DDR2 RAM that's in the equally old Mobo. My 5870 is still a viable card, and if I wanted to, I could nab another for Xfire until the HD7000 and GTX600's release.

As it stands, I'd rather grab a 2500k or 2600k, and completely bypass the Ivybridge release until there is a wide range of offerings and some benchmarks, or even until the next architecture style. Right now, all I'm debating is the mobo.

Cheers.

Thanks for all the feedback; I suppose, then, that it would be better to just pick up a 2600k and an SLI/Xfire capable mobo, and hold onto that for 3-4 years as I have done with my Core2.

I do plan on upgrading my GPU, but not at the moment; ideally, I would like to get my hands on a GTX580.

I realize that my originally proposed mobo is not dual-card capable, but since I was planning on doing a completely new rig down the line, I wouldn't mind the single card solution in the interium.

Anyway, I think I might just go with a 2600k and a better mobo and forgoe Ivybridge until whatever new architecture comes out after it.

Cheers!

Hey, all, I'm doing a budget upgrade for my aging Core 2 Duo system to hold me over until Ivybridge and the next gen of GPU's, and I wanted to know what you think of the new system vs the old system, and the parts, etc...

Current Rig:

E8400 Core2

640gb HDD w/ Windows 7 64bit

4gb DDR2 RAM

HD5870

ASRock Twin Turbos Mobo

750W Corsair PSU

NZXT Tempest Case

New Rig:

Intel i2500k

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157253" title="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157253">ASRock Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428" title="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428">G.SKill RAM

I'll be keeping my old Case, PSU, and HDD.

The upgrade will cost just over $400.

Thoughts and comments? Is this is a viable and reasonable upgrade to tide me over until Ivybridge? Thanks all.

Cheers.

[QUOTE="C_Rule"]Phenom 2 is an old architecture, and WAY behind Intel. I'm honestly sick of hearing this 'but there's no difference in todays games' "argument". You won't be saying that in 3-5 years, when 2500K is still going strong. ionusX

in 3 years the 2500k wont be useable 2 for sure 3 no way.. its not the next i7 920

We can't realistically speculate much further than that the i2500k is a better purchase because it will last longer; it currently outperforms the phenom 2's.

Cheers.

I'm just going to say it because no one else apparently has, at least not directly.

It doesn't matter if the future of software is all about having more cores because by the time that happens, Intel will have something that is better than Bulldozer/Piledriver.

And to realize this golden future, AMD will need to survive until then; so, yeah, having a little relevancy in today's market is important.

Also, from the looks of things at Intel, they have been focused on creating strong processors, and then slowly increasing the core count, rather than simply putting a bunch of ok cores together for a decent processor. The new Sandybridge CPU's are due out in the first half of November, and two of the three willl have six-cores, and they will probably perform even better than the i2600k does, which already outperforms or rivals the 8150 in all areas. That's only two cores behind AMD's newest, top-end product. Honestly, realistically, it doesn't look that good for AMD.

And you can bet your a** that Intel has much more coming down the pipe for 2012.

Cheers.