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FIXED Memory Size

Common Options : 0 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB

Quick Review

Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) is a concept whereby system memory is shared by both CPU and graphics processor. While this reduces cost, it also reduces the system's performance by taking up a large portion of memory for the graphics processor.

Intel's Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) takes that concept further by allowing the system to dynamically allocate memory resources according to the demands of the system at any point in time. The key idea in DVMT is to improve the efficiency of the memory allocated to either system or graphics processor.

This BIOS feature is used in conjunction with the DVMT Memory Size BIOS feature to select the operating mode as well as the maximum amount of graphics memory that can be allocated to the onboard graphics processor.

When DVMT Memory Size is set to 0MB and this BIOS feature set to 32 MB, a total of 32 MB of system memory is allocated as graphics memory in the Fixed mode.

When DVMT Memory Size is set to 0MB and this BIOS feature set to 64 MB, a total of 64 MB of system memory is allocated as graphics memory in the Fixed mode.

When DVMT Memory Size is set to 0MB and this BIOS feature set to 128 MB, a total of 128 MB of system memory is allocated as graphics memory in the Fixed mode.

If DVMT Memory Size is set to any value other than 0 MB, then the onboard graphics processor will operate in the Fixed + DVMT Memory mode. This would be based on the total memory size allocated to both DVMT Memory Size and FIXED Memory Size.

For example, if you set DVMT Memory Size to 64 MB and FIXED Memory Size to 64 MB, the total graphics memory size would be 128 MB. But the actual allocation of graphics memory would depend on the amount of pre-allocated graphics memory.

Generally, it is recommended that you let the graphics driver allocate memory in DVMT mode. This allows the driver to dynamically allocate memory according to changing situations. This means setting this BIOS feature to 0 MB and setting the maximum graphics memory size using the DVMT Memory Size BIOS feature. It's advisable to restrict the total graphics memory to approximately 256 MB for systems with lots of memory (768 MB or more) and reduce the graphics memory in systems with less memory.

 

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