Bootcamp Dedicated Video RAM

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Level 1

13 points

Bootcamp Dedicated Video RAM

Hey guys,

I have a 2012 13'' inch macbook pro. This has the Intel HD 4000 graphics card. I have upgraded it to 16GB of RAM and and have windows 8.1 installed on a bootcamp partition.

Currently on my windows side it says that I only have 32mb of dedicated video ram. On the apple side it says I have 512mb. I would like to increase the dedicated video RAM on the windows side to fully use what my computer is capable of. Normally in a windows computer to change your video RAM amount you go into the BIOS section, but since this is on a mac it doesn't have one.

I have been through about a billion tech support calls so here is a list of the things I've tried.

What I've tried:

1. Using Refind to access BIOS on this.

-The new version doesn't seem to do much for windows as the only bootup option I am given is to bootup normally

2. Force the intel HD graphics driver 15.33.30.64.3958 to download and install

-Forcing it still doesn't have it run properly. I've contacted intell and they say their drivers don't always work on laptops

3. Using parallels

-Unfortunately parallels runs extremely slowly when you're trying to use 512 mb of dedicated video ram for some reason

Any help, or a direction to go in would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Dec 18, 2014 2:56 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 18, 2014 3:40 PM in response to yshunnar

You may not need to do all this. Please read http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-033984.htm .

How is graphics memory allocated in Windows 8/8.1*?

The Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 operating system adds improved support for graphics, simplifying graphics, memory configuration, and management. As part of this new graphics memory management, the Intel® HD Graphics Driver leaves more of the graphics memory sizing to Windows 8/8.1.

On a similar MBP, I have,

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Answer 2

yshunnar Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 18, 2014 4:24 PM in response to Loner T

So on the mac side I have enough dedicated video memory( you can see below) and I have windows 8.1 installed, but the windows side only shows 32mb of dedicated video memory. I'm sorry but I'm not understanding what the information from the link I'm supposed to use. The general way of changing the dedicated video memory through the control panel or bios also does not work.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 18, 2014 9:45 PM in response to yshunnar

This screen reports available physical memory on the Card, and Windows will report the same as shown in the Intel document. It can use on-board memory and has the ability to access main RAM memory.

The management is in W8+ on the use of on-board vs shared memory. You can look at the driver settings and change memory, but the dynamic nature of allocation/de-allocation is working against you. You can control the size of the cup, but not how much is poured in or poured out. There are no BIOS hooks, but the driver settings are the closest knobs you have.

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Answer 4

yshunnar Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 19, 2014 12:07 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks so much! I think I understand what you are saying. On the windows side it shows me.

So do you know how I would access the "driver setting" to increase the cup size from 32MB to 512 MB?

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 19, 2014 1:09 AM in response to yshunnar

You will have to ask the Intel Tech Support about which GUIDs need to be manipulated in this set. There are many settings here. I recommend a Registry backup and System Restore Point before you manipulate any information here.

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Answer 6

yshunnar Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 24, 2014 6:45 PM in response to Loner T

Hi,

I'm sorry to come back and ask more questions but I've been to intel graphics tech support, microsoft tech support, and apple's tech support and noone has any idea what to do. If you could just direct me to who I could ask or what section of the driver it would be in(like hkey_localmachine/hardware) it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

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