VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) — ОЗУ для видеоизображений. Видеопамять работает так же, как и оперативная память, но необходима для операций, связанных с отрисовкой графики и вывода изображения на дисплей/монитор. Если оперативная память улучшает быстродействие ПК, то VRAM отвечает за скорость вывода информации на дисплей.
Как узнать сколько VRAM в нашем ПК? В Windows 11 есть встроенная функция для проверки объема видеопамяти. Это очень удобно, поскольку не нужно устанавливать или использовать сторонние приложения.
Для того, чтобы узнать объем видеопамяти (VRAM) нашего ПК, сначала запустим приложение «Параметры» через меню «Пуск», выбрав соответствующий значок в закрепленных приложениях, а если такого значка нет, то можно воспользоваться «горячими» клавишами «Win+I». В левой части меню щелкаем по пункту «Система», а в правой части окна щелкаем по плитке «Дисплей».
Прокручиваем окно настроек дисплея вниз до раздела «Сопутствующие параметры» и нажимаем на плитку «Расширенный дисплей».
В разделе «Сведения о дисплее» щелкаем по ссылке «Свойство видеоадаптера для дисплея 1».
Появится окно «Свойства дисплея». Здесь будет доступна следующая информация:
- Доступно графической памяти.
- Используется видеопамяти.
- Системной видеопамяти.
- Общей системной видеопамяти.
Вот так просто узнать объем видеопамяти.
VRAM (or Video Random Access Memory) is a type of dedicated memory used by graphics card (GPU) to store visual data. So, VRAM size of your PC will directly impact the quality and speed of graphics rendering, especially when using high-resolution apps (like games) and working with graphically intensive apps (like video editing). In this article, we will explain VRAM functions and how to check its size in Windows 11.
Functions of VRAM
Unlike RAM, VRAM is optimized specifically for rendering graphics, which makes it much faster for this purpose. It plays an important role in delivering smooth graphics performance, especially for gaming, graphics designing, 3D rendering, and video editing. Here are some of the key tasks VRAM handles:
- High-resolution textures, images, and assets are loaded into VRAM for quick access during rendering.
- VRAM holds the frames rendered by the GPU (buffering) before they are displayed on the screen.
- VRAM is also used to store video data for playback, especially when working with 4K or higher resolution videos.
- In gaming, VRAM holds the game’s assets (textures, models, shaders) to allow fast access for smooth gameplay.
So, higher VRAM size enables better performance at higher resolutions and settings.
There are multiple ways to check the amount of VRAM on your Windows 11 device.
1. Check VRAM Size in Settings App
This is a straightforward and simpler way.
- Right-click on the Start icon and select “Settings” to open Windows Settings app. Alternatively, press “Windows Logo + I” keys to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to “System > Display” section.
- Scroll down and click on “Advanced display” option under “Related settings” section.
- Click the “Display adapter properties for Display 1” showing at the bottom of “Display information” section. If you have multiple monitors, make sure to select the correct display from the list and open its properties.
- In the properties window, look under “Adapter” tab. Here, you will see details about your graphics adapter, including “Dedicated Video Memory”, which is the size of your VRAM.
As you can see, the Dedicated Video Memory” is 1024 MB, which is 1 GB. If you have multiple graphics cards or monitors, repeat these steps and select the appropriate display properties to check VRAM size for each graphics adapter.
2. Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to Check VRAM
DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides detailed information about your graphics card including the VRAM size. The advantage with this method is that you can also find the complete driver information, which can be useful for troubleshooting purposes.
- Right-click on the Start menu icon and select “Run” option from the power user menu. Alternatively, press “Windows Logo + R” keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type dxdiag in the box and press “OK” button to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. You may be prompted to check the drivers by connecting to internet, click “No” to ignore that message and open the app.
- Go to the “Display” tab (or Display 1 if you have multiple displays) and look for “Display Memory” (VRAM). This is the amount of VRAM available on your graphics card.
As you can see, this tool shows the size as 1008 MB (instead of 1024 MB in Settings app), which is approximately 1 GB.
3. Check VRAM from Task Manager
Task Manager offers real-time monitoring of system resources, including VRAM usage. You can use this to find how different applications impact GPU memory.
- Right-click on the Start button and select Task Manager from the menu. Alternatively, right-click on the Taskbar and select “Task Manager” option.
- Go to the “Performance” tab and select “GPU” option (or GPU 0 if multiple GPUs are listed).
- Scroll down below the graphs where you can find the real-time data about GPU usage. Check the “Dedicated GPU Memory”, which represents your total VRAM capacity and current usage.
As you can see, 0.2/1.0 GB indicates 0.2 GB is used out of 1 GB total available VRAM.
4. Using Third-Party App
There are many third-party apps to provide detailed information of GPU capabilities including VRAM size. We recommend downloading the app from your graphics card manufacturer or from Microsoft Store. For example, if you are using Intel Graphics Card, you can download “Intel Graphics Command Center” app from Microsoft Store.
Go to “System” section and click “GPUs” tab. Select the GPU and find “Dedicated” memory size under “Graphics Memory” section.
The process may vary depending upon your system setup and the app you use.
How Much VRAM Do You Need?
The amount of VRAM required varies depending upon your system usage.
- 1 – 4 GB is sufficient – If you mainly browse the internet, use office applications, and watch videos.
- For modern games at 1080p resolution, 4 – 6 GB of VRAM is generally recommended.
- 6 – 8 GB is ideal for 1440p or 4K gaming and tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design.
How to Increase VRAM Size?
Unfortunately, you can’t directly increase VRAM in most cases, as it’s physically built into the GPU. However, there are a few ways to work around VRAM limitations, depending on your system and GPU requirements:
- The most straightforward way to increase VRAM is to get a new graphics card with more VRAM. This is ideal if you are using a desktop computer, as upgrading a graphics card in a laptop is much more challenging and often impossible.
- If you are using an integrated GPU (like Intel HD graphics), you can sometimes adjust the amount of system RAM it uses as VRAM in your computer’s BIOS settings. Keep in mind that this approach is limited and won’t match the performance of a dedicated GPU with more VRAM.
- Optimizing usage like lowering the resolution, reducing texture quality, and adjusting other graphics settings can reduce VRAM demand, which might be necessary for smoother performance.
- Some systems allow you to set virtual memory to offload processes, but this generally impacts CPU performance rather than VRAM directly.
Conclusion
You can follow one of the above explained methods to easily check the VRAM size in your Windows PC. Whether you are gaming, designing, or simply checking system specifications, knowing VRAM size is helpful for assessing your system’s capabilities in handling graphics-intensive tasks.
Most people know about RAM (Random Access Memory) used to store temporary system files and reset the data on reboot. Still, fewer people know VRAM (Video RAM or Video Random Access Memory) that stores image data. VRAM is much faster than the system memory (RAM), but you will find less VRAM compared to RAM. Also, VRAM cannot be replaced on PCs with different GPUs in most cases, but you can change or upgrade RAM easily.
Further, between your CPU and a video card processor, VRAM acts as a buffer and ensures the uninterrupted running of games or other graphics-intensive applications. So, while running graphic-intensive games or video editors, if you are struggling with the sluggish performance of your PC, you should check how much Video RAM (VRAM) your system is left with.
In this gearupwindows article, we will guide you on checking VRAM on a Windows 11 PC for any graphics card, including Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA.
How to find out how much Video RAM (VRAM) you have in Windows 11 using the Settings app?
To find out the VRAM on your Windows 11 PC, do the following:-
Step 1. First, open the Settings app. For that, press Windows + I keys on the keyboard.
Step 2. Then, choose the System category in the left sidebar of the Settings window.
Step 3. After that, click on the Display tab that you can find on the right side pane of System.
Step 4. Scroll down on the right side pane and select the Advanced display option under the “Related settings” section.
Step 5. Now, on the “Advanced display” settings page, scroll down to the “Device information” section. After that, click on the link, “Display adapter properties ….” to open the Graphics Properties window.
Step 6. In the Properties dialog that appears, you can view the current video RAM value listed beside the “Dedicated Video Memory” entry.
How to See VRAM in Windows 11 using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDIAG)?
To view VRAM in Windows 11 using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDIAG), do the following:-
Step 1. At first, press the Windows + R keys combination to open the Windows Run dialog box.
Step 2. Then, in the Run command box, type the following and hit Enter from the keyboard”-
dxdiag
Step 3. After that, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window will appear. Select the Display tab.
Step 4. Here, under the Device section, you’ll find the VRAM next to the ‘Display Memory (VRAM)’ option.
How to Check Video RAM (VRAM) in Windows 11 using Command Prompt?
Follow these steps to find out Video RAM (VRAM) in Windows 11 using Command Prompt:-
Step 1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following and press Enter:-
wmic path win32_VideoController get AdapterRAM
This will display the amount of VRAM in bytes. To convert bytes to a more readable format, such as gigabytes (GB), divide the number by 1,073,741,824 (1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes).
How to Check Video RAM (VRAM) in Windows 11 using PowerShell?
Follow these steps to find out Video RAM (VRAM) in Windows 11 using Windows PowerShell:-
Step 1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Step 2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:-
Get-CimInstance -ClassName CIM_VideoController | Select-Object AdapterRAM
This command will display the amount of VRAM in bytes. To convert bytes to a more readable format, such as gigabytes (GB), divide the number by 1,073,741,824 (1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes).
Conclusion
In conclusion, VRAM plays a critical role in running graphics-intensive applications smoothly. Checking the amount of Video RAM (VRAM) available on a Windows 11 PC is essential to ensure optimal performance. As outlined in this gearupwindows article, you can check the VRAM using various methods, including the Settings app, DirectX Diagnostic Tool, Command Prompt, or Windows PowerShell. Knowing how to check VRAM can help you determine if your system is running low on memory, allowing you to take necessary steps such as upgrading or adjusting graphic settings to improve performance.
Knowing how to check VRAM in Windows 11 can help you set your expectations on the capacity of your computer to render images.Your VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) should not be confused with your RAM (Random Access Memory). Yes, they both deal with short-term file storage, but there are many differences. Your RAM stores data for your central processor while the VRAM stores data for your graphics processor.
Your VRAM and RAM work more symbiotically than independently. When your graphics processor is running, its computations are first stored in your VRAM before getting transferred to RAM. By doing so, your PC can dedicate RAM to non-graphics processes, preventing overload. Follow the steps below to know the available VRAM on your Windows 11 computer.
How to check VRAM in Windows 11
1. Checking VRAM in Windows 11 does not require fancy apps nor programs. All you need is your computer’s settings. To open the settings, right-click the Start icon and select Settings from the options available.
2. Next, click on System and choose Display from the navigation pane on the left. This page will show you all the settings for your computer’s display.
3. Scroll down and select Advanced display settings. You should be redirected to a page with the advanced display settings.
4. Under the Display information section, click on Display adapter properties for Display 1. If you have multiple displays, make sure to choose your main display. A window should appear with the details of your graphics processor.
5. Under the Adapter tab, look for Dedicated Video Memory. This value represents the amount of VRAM on your computer.
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What to know
- Find your VRAM from Task Manager > Performance > GPU 1 > Dedicated GPU memory.
- Use the Nvidia Control Panel and find VRAM from ‘System Information’. Those using the new Nvidia app, go to Settings > View details (next to My Gaming Rig) to find your VRAM.
- For AMD Radeon users, find VRAM from Settings > System. For AMD Catalyst Center users, find VRAM from Information > Hardware > Memory Size.
- Use the DirectX Diagnostics (dxdiag) in RUN and find VRAM from the ‘Display’ tab.
Memory has always been an integral part of computing be it RAM or VRAM. While RAM helps your system manage most CPU-bound resources, VRAM is high-bandwidth memory reserved for GPU-intensive tasks.
If you’re looking to get into editing or gaming then VRAM is of the utmost priority. So how much VRAM does your PC have? Let’s find out!
You can check your VRAM on Windows 11 in 5 different ways depending on the GPUs installed in your system.
Use the methods below to help you find the VRAM currently available on your PC.
Related: How to Use Emojis in Windows 11 Using Keyboard Shortucts
Method 1: Using the Task Manager (dedicated GPU only)
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto launch the Task Manager. Click Performance once it launches on your PC.
- Now click GPU 1.
Note: GPU 0 will be your integrated GPU however, Task Manager won’t show its dedicated memory but only the shared memory. You can use one of the methods below instead to check the dedicated memory supported by your iGPU.
- You will now be shown the performance stats for your dedicated GPU. Check the stats below. You will find your current VRAM capacity under Dedicated GPU memory.
And that’s how you can find out your VRAM using the Task Manager.
Related: 3 Ways to Hide Taskbar on Windows 11
Method 2: Using your OEM control panel (dGPU only)
All dedicated GPUs come with an OEM control panel to help you manage their behavior and performance. This utility also helps display detailed information about all of your GPU specifications including its VRAM capacity. Use either of the guides below depending on your OEM.
For Nvidia
There are a couple of Nvidia apps to help you gain insight into your dedicated GPU’s VRAM.
Using the NVIDIA Control Panel
Shift + Right-clickon your desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.
- Click System Information.
- Scroll down the Details section to find Dedicated video memory. This is the current VRAM capacity of your dedicated GPU.
And that’s how you can find the VRAM for your Nvidia card.
Using the new Nvidia app
Nvidia recently launched an all-in-one Nvidia app. If you’re using this new AIO Nvidia app, here’s how to check your VRAM:
- Launch the Nvidia app and click on Settings.
- Under the ‘System’ tab, click on View Details next to ‘My Gaming Rig’.
- Find your GPU’s VRAM next to Dedicated video memory.
For AMD
AMD cards have two different utilities depending on their models. Choose either one of the guides below depending on the current software installed on your PC.
For Radeon Software
Shift + Right-clickon your desktop and select AMD Radeon Software.- Click the Gear () icon in the top right corner and then click System.
- You will now be shown your GPU model as well as its VRAM capacity beside it.
- You can click More Details to view more information about the card.
And that’s how you can view your VRAM size using AMD Radeon Software.
For AMD Catalyst Center
Shift + Right-clickon an empty area on your desktop and click AMD Catalyst Control Center.- Now, click Information in the left sidebar and then select Hardware.
- You will be presented with all the details of the currently installed graphics card on your system.
- Look for Memory Size. This is your GPU’s VRAM capacity.
And that’s how you can view VRAM size using the AMD catalyst center.
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Method 3: Using display settings
You can also use Windows display adapter settings to view your current VRAM capacity. This method works for both iGPUs and dGPUs. Let’s take a quick look at it.
- Press
Windows + iand click Display.
- Now click Advanced display.
- Click Display adapter properties for Display 1.
Note: If you have a laptop then you will only be able to view VRAM for iGPU using this method. This is because almost all laptop displays are designed to be powered by the iGPU by default. Your laptop will switch to the dGPU only when necessary under graphically intensive tasks.
- Now look for the value named Dedicated Video Memory. This is the current VRAM capacity of your selected GPU.
And that’s how you can view your VRAM using Display settings.
Method 4: Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool
- Press
Windows + Rto launch Run. Type dxdiag and hit Enter.
- The DirectX Diagnostic tool will now open on your PC. Click Display 1 at the top.
- This is your iGPU and you will find its VRAM capacity beside Display Memory (VRAM).
- Click Display 2.
Note: This applies only to systems with a dedicated GPU.
- You will find your dGPU’s VRAM capacity beside Display Memory (VRAM).
And that’s how you can check your VRAM using the DirectX diagnostic tool in Windows 11.
Method 5: Using a third-party app
You can also use third-party apps to check your VRAM capacity. We recommend using HWinfo for a detailed analysis of all your hardware components. Follow the steps below to help you along with the process.
- HWinfo | Download Link
- Download HWinfo using the link above. We recommend you opt for the portable version for ease of access. Once downloaded, unzip the same and launch HWinfo from the same using the .exe file relevant to your system.
- Click Run.
- Double click the Video Adapter in the left sidebar.
- Click and select the desired GPU.
- Look for the Video Memory value on your right. This is the size of your VRAM capacity for the current GPU.
Note: Your iGPU might be using shared memory from your RAM depending on your Windows settings. The same will be reflected in iGPU readings. If your VRAM capacity seems off in HWinfo, we recommend you use advanced display settings using the method above to verify the same. You can also use DirectX diagnostic tool for a more detailed analysis.
And that’s how you can find your VRAM size using HWinfo.
We hope this post helped you easily check your VRAM on Windows 11. If you face any issues, feel free to reach out using the comments below.
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