Aspire 5745G: Dedicated 1GB VRAM gone

osandakj

Hello!
I have an Aspire 5745G notebook with 1gb vram of gt420m. But advanced display settings are indicating 128Mb of dedicated video memory  Why is that?

Another thing I would like to know is can I permanently STOP using system memory by disabling Intel HD graphics? I would like to use dedicated gt420m as my primary GPU. Is it possible?

Alan-London

It is showing 128MB because this is the amount available for the Intel HD Graphics which is running by default.
You nVidia will only kick in when needed. This reduces the drain on your battery and gives longer run time.

 

While it may be possible, I don't know how you can make the nVidia the default GPU. Personally, I can see no advantage in doing so as the nVidia will consume more power and generate more heat for nothing.

 

Allowing the Intel GPU to run as default should have no detrimental effect as a seamless switch will occur when needed. Of course, when running more demanding applications such as games etc, you can explicitly ensure that the nVidia is switched in and is using setting that you require in the nVidia control panel.

Alan-London

It is showing 128MB because this is the amount available for the Intel HD Graphics which is running by default.
You nVidia will only kick in when needed. This reduces the drain on your battery and gives longer run time.

 

While it may be possible, I don't know how you can make the nVidia the default GPU. Personally, I can see no advantage in doing so as the nVidia will consume more power and generate more heat for nothing.

 

Allowing the Intel GPU to run as default should have no detrimental effect as a seamless switch will occur when needed. Of course, when running more demanding applications such as games etc, you can explicitly ensure that the nVidia is switched in and is using setting that you require in the nVidia control panel.