[The Fall of Math]

Hi, I was just checking my 'about my mac' on my new BlacBook(yes, I finally got a new computer), and I saw that I have 64MB VRAM of shared system memory. Does that equal to a 64MB video card? Would playing a game on the computer be like playing the game on an other computer with a 64MB video card?

I was just wondering because I see a lot of computers that have 256MB video cards in them, so I thought it was kind of low.

My question may seem a little dumb because I don't know much, but any replies would be highly appriciated. Thanks!

[uicandrew]

64mb shared vram is NOT equal to a 64mb video card. they are very different. the computers with 256mb video cards are often used for gaming. even with the macbook pros, you won't get a 256mb video until you spend $2500.

in a desktop, it is more commonplace to have higher end video cards. with the imac, you'd have to spend a minimum of $1600 and even then, you'd have to custom order an imac.

64mb shared vram is "integrated graphics" instead of "discrete graphics" which is the 256mb video cards.

[mduell]

Yes and no. Just like any other 64MB video card, your MacBook can hold 64MB worth of textures and such in VRAM. But the amount of video memory isn't the primary indicator of performance; core pipelines, core clockrate, and memory speed are all more significant.

The GPU in the MacBook Pro (Intel GMA950) is faster than some other 64MB cards, as fast as some other 64MB cards, and slower than some other 64MB cards.

A few terms that are certain to come up in this thread:
Shared VRAM: The VRAM is from the system memory pool; if you have 512MB memory in your system and 64MB shared VRAM, you have 448MB memory left for the rest of the system. Many systems that use this architecture can move memory between system RAM and VRAM on the fly or at bootup.
Dedicated VRAM: The VRAM is a few discrete chips on the graphics card.
Integrated graphics/GPU: The graphics processing unit is integrated into the system chipset; saves space and cost, but is generally lower performance.
Discrete graphics/GPU: The graphics processing unit is a separate chip on the logic board. Takes more space and is more expensive, but is also generally higher performance.

[The Fall of Math]

Ah, ok thanks.

So how much discrete video card RAM does a 64 vRAM integrated card equal to do you think on average? Maybe around 128 or so? Or is that impossible to compair?

Thanks.

[mduell]

It's impossible to compare. There are at least 3 or 4 other parameters that are more relevant in determining performance.

Also note that the 64MB figure isn't fixed; with Intel's chipset it can be changed on-the-fly up to ~200MB as necessary, but system profiler will never report the increased amount.

[The Fall of Math]

How much would it cost to upgrade it to 200?

Would it run games much smoother?

And why would the system profiler never report the increased amount?

Would it be pretty useless to get more MB? Can you link me to any pages selling the increased amount of MB?


Thank you so much. This is very interesting amd helpful!

[mduell]

It's not a cost thing. The OS does it when the application needs it and you have enough system memory available. Yes, it makes games run smoother.
I don't know why system profiler never reports it. This has caused some people to doubt that OSX does it, but IIRC someone found confirmation that OSX does dynamically increase the shared VRAM.
Buying more system RAM is generally a good idea. I'd max it out to 2GB at Crucial.com

[The Fall of Math]

Oooh, you meant that the system will automaticly up its MB up to 200. That is pretty amazing.

And I already got 2GB when I bought the computer.

Are most computers able to go up ram when needed, like the macbook?

And by "enough system memory avalable", you mean the RAM, which I have 2GB right?

Thank you so much! And sorry for me not understanding some things too quickly.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by The Fall of Math 

Are most computers able to go up ram when needed, like the macbook?

And by "enough system memory avalable", you mean the RAM, which I have 2GB right?

About 40% of computers have Intel's integrated graphics chipset (which is the only chipset I know of that does dynamic VRAM allocation).

Yes.