Nvidia 9400M maximum Video ram Questions

Question

Nvidia 9400M maximum Video ram Questions

13' macbook pro mid 2009
2.26 ghz/ 4gb of ram DDR3
OS 10.6.5

I have two questions firstly I would like to know the maximum video ram capacity of the graphics card that is possible on my intergraded GPU Nvidia 9400M. I am aware that is is dependant on the free ram available, but I am curious to see what the maximum that is is able to do. I ask this since on Apple's webites (footnote 3) on specifications it states, '256mb is the minimum amount that the OS X will receive'. I am not sure if am misreading or not interpreting it correctly

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP541

Lastly this relates slightly to the first question I am upgrading my memory from 4 gb to 8 gb how or what effect if any will this have on my ability to play games. Since there will be more RAM available for the GPU as well as the OS. Currently with my 4GB of ram when playing Starcraft 2 eats up all of my ram close to 95% according to activity monitor (on low settings). So will me upgrading to 8GB of ram allow me to play at higher graphics or just make the gameplay smoother.

Thanks for you time sorry if am not too clear it is rather late here, but any help is greatly appreciated

13' Macbook Pro Mid 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.5), 2.26 Ghz/ 4GB RAM

Posted on Dec 30, 2010 5:59 AM

Reply

Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

149,022 points

Dec 30, 2010 8:35 AM in response to Macbookpro User

My interpretation of the specifications is the maximum amount of RAM the 9400M will read is 256 MB. I have the same machine as yours and did upgrade to 8 GB after initially upgrading to 4 GB, what I can tell you is the performance is snappier there is no doubt. However I'm not a gamer so I can't really say how upgrading the RAM would affect gaming performance for sure. I suspect that upgrading the RAM should improve gaming performance too because it means your computer will not have to do any memory swapping or it will be greatly reduced. Because RAM is so inexpensive right now I think it's a good time to upgrade, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Roger

Reply

Answer 2

eww

Level 9

53,122 points

Dec 30, 2010 8:47 AM in response to Macbookpro User

If your 9400M could ever use more than 256MB, you can bet Apple would say so, since action gamers are generally obsessed with maximizing VRAM and video performance.

That said, if you really wanted optimal gaming performance, why did you buy a bottom-of-the-line MBP?

Adding RAM may improve overall performance, but it won't enable the GPU to address more than 256MB for its own use.

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 30, 2010 3:09 PM in response to eww

If click on my link to check the link on Apple specifications( it states minimum 256 mb Video ram) as well as look at some other intergraded graphics card it usually will states 256mb shared ram with up to 1026 mb shared video ram for example.

As for eww well my macbook pro was a gift for college and it wasn't my choice to I personally would of rather gotten a PC laptop which are much less expensive as well as I like Windows better ( ie the OS, Microsoft Acess, ect) but thats why we have bootcamp I guess. Being what it is I am only really going to play Starcraft which meets the system requirements. Again back to my question I haven't been able to clearly find where it says Maximum 256mb video ram, but if that is what you guys believe I hope the 8bg ram upgrade will help with atleast my Starcraft II needs.

Reply

Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

149,022 points

Dec 30, 2010 3:17 PM in response to Macbookpro User

If you do decide to get 8GB, here is a good deal from OWC.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/AppleMacBook_MacBookPro/Upgrade/DDR3

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 30, 2010 3:25 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for the OTW link I have already bought the ram, but wont arrive until Monday which isn't very fun to wait but oh well am sure it will help my stuttering macbook pro.

Reply

Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

149,022 points

Dec 30, 2010 3:42 PM in response to Macbookpro User

OK, wow I'm surprised it will arrive that quick considering today is Thursday and New Year's Eve is tomorrow. I'll be eager to see how it works, let us know.

Oh and thank you for the stars.

Reply

Answer 7

Jan 2, 2011 9:21 PM in response to Macbookpro User

Macbookpro User,

I am glad that you posted this question here. My computer is the same as yours and have the same issu, especially after seeing the same footnote you linked in your OP (I also play SCII). Researching this issue on and off for the last several months has not helped very much - we may need to experiment a little and takle this one on our own.

Based on what I have read so far, the 9400M chipset is capable of using more shared RAM if you allocate it, but I can only find how to do this in Windows. NVIDIA makes an interface for PCs that supports adjusting shared memory allocation for various on-board video cards, ours included. However, the interface is not available for Mac.

You may be able to boot windows in Boot Camp, download/install the NVIDIA app, and test for the card's functionality in the Windows 7 OS. In fact, I would appreciate feedback on that because I do not have a Boot Camp partition setup and we seem to be the first people posting about this particular issue - Windows OEM support doesn't guaranty the same in OSX.

If it turns out that our GeForce 9400M has the same ability as non-Mac OEM versions, that will justify looking into some script to force the memory allocation in Snow Leopard. But that will be step two - first we need to verify memory allocation support. I think this link is the NVIDIA interface you'll need (haven't tested it, which is why I say "I think"): http://www.nvidia.com/object/nvidiasystem_tools6.06.html. The compatibility for this app lists the "9400," but not the "9400M," so keep that in mind incase the software supports reallocating shared VRAM but still gives you trouble.

Also, here is a link to the latest drivers for Windows 7 x64 (I know it says Vista, but this both the Vista and Win7 option link to here ... must be the same): http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win7-winvista-64bit-260.99-whql-driver.htm l.

Good luck. Let me know what you find out. If it checks out, I'll look into a script to make OSX up the VRAM.

-MattaUser

Reply

Answer 8

Jan 2, 2011 11:54 PM in response to MattaUser

Yes this is what I meant if was possible to allocate more ram "if" you have enough ram with my 4gb of DDR3 it takes it all up at the moment. I will get my 8gb tommorow, and I will try what you said about the bootcamp which many say makes it more stable. If anyone knows of a program or settings to do so please let us know. Any help is appreciated

Sidenote: I recently tried booting snow leopard in 64 bit not the standard 32 bit if you just turn it on, and my starcraft worked much more smoothly even on medium settings it was getting close to 30 fps as opposted to 18 before. Although it still isnt playable online (IMP) I just thought I should share that in case someone wanted to try Starcraft II in 64x mac osx.

Reply

Answer 9

Jan 4, 2011 11:38 AM in response to Macbookpro User

Cool. Have you had any luck with the allocation?

Reply

Answer 10

Jan 4, 2011 3:51 PM in response to MattaUser

I installed my 8gb of RAM there is small increase in FPS, and also can play on a bit higher settings (medium) in Starcraft II. Althought I haven't been able to find my Windows 7 CD so I am not able to try the allocation, but as soon as I do I will of course post to see if there is any difference. Has anyone had any other luck or comments about the issues presented?

Reply