Why Does Using an iGPU Alongside a Dedicated GPU Lower VRAM Usage in Games?
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TechyTurtle92
Hey everyone! I've been experimenting with my computer setup recently and noticed something interesting. When I enable the integrated GPU (iGPU) in the BIOS and connect my monitor to the motherboard's HDMI port while using my dedicated graphics card (dGPU), it seems to significantly reduce VRAM usage in games. I'm curious about the mechanics behind this. Can anyone break down why this happens?
Answers
The reason you're seeing reduced VRAM usage is that your iGPU can use your system's RAM as VRAM. When the dedicated GPU runs out of memory, it can also offload tasks to the system RAM. However, keep in mind that system RAM is slower, which might affect performance.
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It sounds like when you're connecting your monitor to the motherboard, your games might be rendered using the iGPU instead of the dGPU. This could explain why you observe lower VRAM usage. It’s worth checking which GPU is actually doing the rendering when you game.
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You might also be reducing the VRAM load by allowing background processes to run on the iGPU. This frees up more VRAM for your more demanding games. Just remember that the framebuffer size, affected by your display's resolution and color depth, usually isn’t large enough to make a significant impact on modern cards.
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