Mac Pro RAM underusage - why VRAM?

Question

Mac Pro RAM underusage - why VRAM?

I am confused. When I purchased my 2019 Mac Pro, I purchased enough RAM to choke a T-Rex. I currently have 384GB of RAM installed.

(WOW! Going to my memory readout just informed me I have a bad card)

BUT... that's not the point.

My point is, I have hundreds of GB of RAM, so when I look at iStatistica Pro app readout, why does it show this?

With all the FREE, AVAILABLE physical RAM on my computer, why is there a need to have that much VRAM usage?

I am currently in the middle of a 3000x2000 render in Blender right now, and I cannot imagine why it's not using all the physical memory it needs. Am I missing something? am I misinterpreting the data...? Is VRAM necessary no matter HOW much RAM one has...? It seems like a massive waste of $$$ to get this much RAM and it's seemingly NEVER used.

Any thoughts...? Thanks,

Scott

Mac Pro, OS X 10.11

Posted on Apr 27, 2021 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,880 points

Apr 27, 2021 9:13 AM in response to Scott Finlayson

Likely the software is determining the use of VRAM as it is optimized for processing graphics:

MtD

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Answer 2

Apr 27, 2021 9:20 AM in response to Meg The Dog

Sorry for the wrong use of the acronym. I am used to VRAM meaning Virtual-RAM.

Regardless, that doesn't change the question... since it clearly states "Virtual" RAM used (I was the one to abbreviate it to VRAM).

See the dark screenshot from iStatistica above.

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Answer 3

Apr 27, 2021 10:52 AM in response to Scott Finlayson

I am *NOT* talking about VideoRAM (VRAM).

Unfortunately, this site isn't allowing me to edit my post/title to correct it.

What I *AM* talking about is Virtual RAM usage.

The screenshot shows how much is being written to Virtual Memory.

Why is this necessary when there's so much available *physical* RAM...?

Also... did they remove the ability to edit the original post(s)...?

I can go back and edit my REPLIES, but not the original post & title. (odd)

Scott

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Answer 4

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,880 points

Apr 27, 2021 11:33 AM in response to Scott Finlayson

Scott Finlayson wrote:

How do I edit my title...? I want to replace VRAM with Virtual RAM... but cannot see a place to edit my post. *sigh*

You lose the ability to edit posts after a certain amount of time passes. Not sure what that window is.

Just create a new post with the title you want, etc. and forget this thread.

MtD

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Answer 5

Apr 27, 2021 9:29 AM in response to Scott Finlayson

How do I edit my title...? I want to replace VRAM with Virtual RAM... but cannot see a place to edit my post. *sigh*

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Mac Pro RAM underusage - why VRAM?

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