How To Upgrade My VRam On A MBP

When you upgrade the ram in the 13inch running the Intel HD 3000 graphics, more RAM is designated to VRAM. So, yes on 13inch MBP upgrading RAM does give a slight boost to VRAM. However, I only think you get the boost when upgrading up to 8GB. Going up to 16GB from 8GB doesn't increase the VRAM.

This model has 2 gpu's - an embedded Intel Graphics gpu plus the dedicated nVidia 9400m. While you cannot upgrade the 9400m VRAM, you can increase overall RAM in your MacBookPro. Since the embedded Intel Graphics gpu utilizes shared RAM you may see some improved graphics performance by upgrading system RAM. I noticed a substantial improvement when I upgraded from 4GB to 8GB RAM.

I have the same model MacBookPro, and I must say that after monitoring performance over the years, I have not found any situation where the 9400m improved graphics performance over the embedded Intel gpu. But the 9400m does make the MBP run hotter and decreases battery run time. Needless to say, after time i decided there was no benefit to running the 9400m. (And I do use Photoshop, Aperture and Final Cut.)

I agree. I have just been checking the VRAM on my mid 2009 13" MBP. I have 8GB of RAM but I still only have a maximum of 256MB of VRAM. This will restrict my access to some of the features on Photoshop CC, to which I have just updated, which need a minimum of 512MB VRAM.

Wilson

Strange its a pro (2010) and mine is limited to Vram256 (8gb) and my Macbook air 13" can do the trick, strange. Although Apple can update the drivers for it if its true what i read (it is possible in windows so why not on the mac).

Ivan

You can probably upgrade RAM but that depends on the exact model of MBP you have and I'm affraid that there is no way in which you can upgrade vram on a MacBook Pro.

Hope this answered your question.

Siri_

anwar05 wrote:

vram is not soderd to the motherboard it is not hardware it is Vram vram stands for (virtual random access memory) BTW you just need to dual boot windows

VRAM is "Video RAM" not virtual RAM. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/VRAM.html

It is soldered onto the board.

anwar05 wrote:

vram is not soderd to the motherboard

Yes it is.

ram stands for (virtual random access memory)

No, it stands for Video RAM.

Why would come here and post completely inaccurate information and ultimately confuse people. If you don't know what you're talking about, then don't post anything.

No, here's a 13" 2009 MBP with 8GB of Ram, note that the Vram is still 256mb

I had never heard of this before but just maybe ... Where can I get an eGPU for my macbook pro ?

You cannot change the VRAM on a notebook. Those parts are soldered on the mother board.

Which MBP are you using 13inch, 15inch, year?

cbs20 wrote:

Which MBP are you using 13inch, 15inch, year?

Why does that matter? VRAM is not upgradable no matter laptop you have,

The model of MacBook Pro you have does not matter, none of them have upgradable VRAM. Only main memory is upgradable.

Yes you probably just need 512MB Vram :-(