Video Setting Lock Cannot Go Above Normal for Video Memory

[MJK-Ranger]

This sounds more like a computer issue. I have 8GB of RAM and in my dxdiag it shows Approx. Total Memory 4042 MB and dxdiag has nothing to do with ArmA2. ArmA2 don't change your "Approx. Total Memory". This is some kind of hardware/computer issue.


The Approx. Total Memory means that is the total memory from Dedicated Video Memory + Shared System Memory = Approx. Total Memory

My dxdiag:

Running the Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool may show the incorrect total memory under the Display tab for the video card, as shown in the below picture. In this example, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 with 2048MB of video memory is being reported as 4042 MB approx. total memory.



This is only the "approximate" total of memory the video card is using and will include not only the total video memory but also the shared system memory in the computer. Viewing the display properties for the video card will break down how the memory is used as shown in the below example. As can be seen in the below picture, the adapter properties show that the dedicated video memory as well as shared system memory.

[doveman]

I think Approx. Total Memory, which is on the Display tab, is meant to be the VRAM not the system RAM, so for my 2GB card, it's not far off as it shows 1767MB.

On the System tab it correctly shows my System RAM as 8192MB.

---------- Post added at 16:07 ---------- Previous post was at 16:04 ----------

Since I can't choose Very High Video Memory/Texture Detail using 8GB of RAM since dxdiag shows a wrong VRAM value, I locked those settings on my USER.ArmA2OAProfile changing the following lines:

My understanding was that you should set Video Memory to Default and then it will use however much VRAM your card has, whereas the other settings can restrict it to use less than is available.

---------- Post added at 16:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:07 ----------

The Approx. Total Memory means that is the total memory from Dedicated Video Memory + Shared System Memory = Approx. Total Memory

As you can see in this image, I have 2 GB Dedicated Video Memory on my GPU
and it has 2 GB Shared System Memory that my GPU can use if needed. And this is Approx. Total Memory = 4042MB (4095MB)

Whatever it's meant to show, it obviously doesn't work properly a lot of the time, unless I have -281MB Shared System Memory (2048-1767)!

[LordLobs]

I think Approx. Total Memory, which is on the Display tab, is meant to be the VRAM not the system RAM, so for my 2GB card, it's not far off as it shows 1767MB.

On the System tab it correctly shows my System RAM as 8192MB.[COLOR="Silver"]

Yes, it shows VRAM... and It's not a computer problem, as it was said before, it's a known issue that dxdiag shows an incorrect VRAM in computers with more than 4GB of RAM (yes, system RAM not VRAM):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2026022/en-us?p=1

And your video card has 2GB of VRAM mine has 512MB. That's why, even with your dxdiag showing the incorrect amount, you still have enough to choose Very High Video Memory and stuff in your ArmA 2 settings.

My understanding was that you should set Video Memory to Default and then it will use however much VRAM your card has, whereas the other settings can restrict it to use less than is available.

Again, my game works absolutely fine with 4GB of RAM... no flickering, great textures (as shown on my previous post) and SAME PERFORMANCE (about 45-55fps @empty chernarus). I'll record a video of this at some point when I have the time to open my PC case again.


PS: My RAM is fine, so it's not some sort of problem with the second stick. I ran a stress with prime95 for like 8hours last night , and also memtest.
Oh, and dxdiag always show my System Memory correctly. The problem lies with that incorrect VRAM value on the display tab.

Well, thanks again!

[Dwarden]

the problem is the values getting more off with cards over 1GB (1.5GB, 2GB, 3GB etc) and it vary on your normal RAM size > 4GB

MS KB arcicle covers only 1GB case http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2026022/en-us?p=1

for example i just looked on system with 4GB RAM and 1GB VRAM and it reports in dxdiag
Approx Total memory : 2806 MB

which seems to be correct as
Process Explorer 15.2 (from SysInternals, Microsoft) reports (push CTRL+I)

Dedicated GPU memory = 1014 MB
+
Dedicated System GPU memory = 1792 MB
thats 2806 MB

... now You should compare these 2 values at Your system and see if DXdiag differs
from Process Explorer or if they both off too much from expected/correct value ...

[LordLobs]

... now You should compare these 2 values at Your system and see if DXdiag differs
from Process Explorer or if they both off too much from expected/correct value ...

8GB of RAM with a 512MB VRAM GPU (HD 4870):

Approx. Video Memory (DXdiag) = 244MB

Process Explorer:
Dedicated GPU Memory (limit) = 513 MB
System GPU Memory (limit) = 3932 MB
Dedicated + System = 4445 MB

--

4GB of RAM with a 512MB VRAM GPU (HD 4870):

Approx. Video Memory (dxdiag) = 2296 MB

Process Explorer:
Dedicated GPU Memory (limit) = 517 MB
System GPU Memory (limit) = 1835 MB
Dedicated+System = 2352MB

[M1n1d0u]

i have the same issue maybe i found why, before i was on 7go so i don't have dual channel maybe it can be that ?

[dotted]

the problem is the values getting more off with cards over 1GB (1.5GB, 2GB, 3GB etc) and it vary on your normal RAM size > 4GB

MS KB arcicle covers only 1GB case http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2026022/en-us?p=1

for example i just looked on system with 4GB RAM and 1GB VRAM and it reports in dxdiag
Approx Total memory : 2806 MB

which seems to be correct as
Process Explorer 15.2 (from SysInternals, Microsoft) reports (push CTRL+I)

Dedicated GPU memory = 1014 MB
+
Dedicated System GPU memory = 1792 MB
thats 2806 MB

... now You should compare these 2 values at Your system and see if DXdiag differs
from Process Explorer or if they both off too much from expected/correct value ...

So what is the workaround?

[LordLobs]

Latest beta patch (build 94945) fixed it for me

Thank you, Bohemia Interactive! <3

[Dwarden]

yep, it should be fixed now

[Shadow_Vit]

Well, ladies and gentelmen, looks like I'm enforced to join to this thread.

Situation :
Three days ago I upgraded my system from ATI HD 4890 to 7970. First time everything was ok, but when I launched CCleaner just right before shot down my PC (for freshing up the system after daily usage), I discovered, that system don't detect one of RAM sticks (I have 12 Gb on board - 6x2), displaying only 8 Gb RAM. So, I reassembled system block, and after this problem of non-detected RAM stick was resolved, but... When I launched an A2 today... I have encountered this discussig problem with flickering textures and UI elements. I suspect, that rolling back to an old videocard can help to resolve that issue, but it will be very sad, if this is only way.

So, I'm apologize for digging out an old thread, but I need help, guys.

System specifications :

Intel Core i7 920 2.67 Gghz
12 Gb RAM
ATI HD 7970 3Gb Vram
ASUS Rampage II Etreme Mother Board
Windows Vista x64 OS

I already have tried different videodrivers without any effect...

My ArmA 2 is up-to-day and is 1.62, without beta patches.

So, that's it...

Please sorry for my ugly english.

Regards, Shadow_Vit.