128MB VRAM instead of 256MB on ATI Radeon x1900

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128MB VRAM instead of 256MB on ATI Radeon x1900

I just bought and installed a graphic card ati radeon x1900 mac edition pci-express, 256 MB.
Easily installed and running. However, it registers only 128MB of VRAM.

On ati/amd homepage they this is a Mac issue. Anyone know of this problem or how to solve it?
Question is also if it is a soft- or hardware problem.

Regards and thanx in advance.

G5 2GHz dual (early 2006), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 2, 2008 8:07 AM

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Answer 1

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Apr 2, 2008 8:16 AM in response to pzmx

Hi-

Does the 128mb show in the system profiler, or the ATI Display Panel, or both?

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Answer 2

pzmx Author

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Apr 3, 2008 12:16 AM in response to japamac

VRAM 128 is only shown in the Mac system profiler. Not in the ATI displays software program, where it says 256 VRAM.

Regards

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Apr 3, 2008 4:12 AM in response to pzmx

Given that the ATI Panel shows the proper VRAM, it is safe to assume that this is a software problem, possibly firmware, but not hardware.
Don't really have a solution, but will let you know if I stumble on to something......

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Answer 4

pzmx Author

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Apr 4, 2008 12:11 AM in response to japamac

Ok, thanks a lot japamac. Really appreciate it.
I have spoken to Apple support and they also say that it's possibly a software related issue. However, they couldn't confirm or reassure anything, which seems a bit strange since the card is specifically designed for PMG5 duals processors with pci-express.

Is there anyway to test the card with software (too see if it does read 256VRAM)? Tried with Xbench but cant interpret the results...

Thanks again.

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Answer 5

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Apr 4, 2008 4:59 AM in response to pzmx

You're Welcome!

If you download ATIcellerator II, an overclocking utility, using the "Info tab" will tell you how much VRAM the software sees.
BTW, the software is benign, unless used for its purpose- overclocking your card. It's a good utility, but, if one plays with overclocking carelessly, well, you'll be shopping for a new card.... 😉

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Answer 6

MarekO

Level 2

335 points

Apr 6, 2008 2:36 PM in response to pzmx

Hi,
look at the official ATI/AMD statement about it:
+(tap on "Radeon Support - Mac" -> "Radeon X1900 Mac Edition" -> "737-28152: Radeon X1900 G5 Mac Edition - Apple System Profiler reports 128MB instead of 256MB Video Memory")+

http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894

I have the same card and it's been working great from a year.

Marek.

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Answer 7

pzmx Author

Level 1

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Apr 7, 2008 9:51 AM in response to MarekO

Yes, found the exact same support link. ATI answer is a bit odd as the card is designed for G5 duals.
I actually also downloaded a game tester from Aspyr. It is a software that compares your computer hardware against minimum requirements for Aspyr games.

The test confirmed 256 VRAM. And the card is running just fine. =)

Which leads me another question: is the performance affected if I have a DVI cable on the second DVI output WITHOUT having any second display connected?

regards

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