Computer healp again

[fazersharp]

My new computer which I brought with the focer help has a NVidia NVS 290card  but when I look at the n view resource thing it says available memory for graphics is 3,000mb ish. Yet the card is only 256mb, so is the card then taking some extra memory from the main computer ram and if so how can I alter it. And if so then which is better a card with more ram on it or just getting a lower onboard memory card and instead extra computer ram 

[Dead Eye]

Can you check if you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system? Go to "Computer" or "This PC" and Right-click in a blank space and select "Properties". You should get something similar to show

Details Computer Properties

Computer Properties

Typically this sort of issue arises from a 32-bit system as it can only reference a maximum of 4GB of memory. This includes System Memory (RAM), Onboard Graphics and Dedicated Graphics. You won't be able to adjust the Dedicated Card, but you may be able to adjust the onboard card if you so wish. Ideally, you'd switch to a 64-bit system but this requires a full reinstall...

If you have a 64-bit system... then I'm uncertain. Perhaps check that the RAM modules are seated correctly?

[Xander567]

Pretty good article here if you get bored and feel like brushing up on graphics card hardware.


In short, don't worry about it. It's most certainly calculating the total size based on RAM and maybe even page size. You won't be able to control it as it's a fundamental tenant of the architecture. Graphics card RAM is typically used to store items that are required regularly, at a high speed.


While Dead Eyes point is correct, it won't have any bearing on this situation. The graphics for a card is dedicated to the card itself, not seated externally.


If you still want more information, run a benchmark tool and it'll put your card through it's paces and provide a detailed report (such as how much RAM can actually be accessed).

[fazersharp]

Yes it is a 64 bit system

HP 8000 elite - Processor: Core 2 Duo 3GHz
 - Memory: 8GB
 - Hard Disk Drive: 400GB
 - Optical Disk Drive: DVD-RW
 - Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
 - Graphics Card: NVS290

I am on a different computer at the moment so cannot cut and paste the screen that you posted but under installed ram it says 8gb and so must be seated correctly otherwise it would say 6 or 4 or 2 wouldnt it

In the Nvidia softwear under the view system topology it says

Total memory  3839mb
Memory free   197mb
core clock       459 GHz
memory clock 400GHz
Temp              49 degrees
Bus type PCIExpress x169

So this is just referring to the memory card isnt it ?

[fazersharp]

Pretty good article here if you get bored and feel like brushing up on graphics card hardware.

Had a read of that, have learn a bit more

[fazersharp]

Just had a look under performance information and tools and in the graphics section it says ---

Nvidia Quadro NVS 290
Total available graphics memory   3839mb
Dedicated graphics memory         256mb
Dedicated system memory           0mb
Shared system memory              3583mb
 
I see that the Shared system memory 3583mb + Dedicated graphics memory 256mb = Total available graphics memory 3839mb

So is the card even though it is 256mb- using some of the computers ram and is set to using half of the installed 8gb ram -- is that how it is working

[fazersharp]

Just found the win 7 memory diagnostics test tool and am running that now
It said no memory problems detected

[Dead Eye]

Yeah, that sheds some more light on it

You are correct in that the graphics card is making use of some of your onboard system memory (RAM). I would expect this to be configurable in the nVidia Control Panel somewhere and the NVS line of cards are focused on business graphics over gaming which makes sense that they would want to access a further source of memory.

I misunderstood / misread the first post and thought we were dealing with a shortage of system memory :P

[fazersharp]

Ok thanks
I have been looking at the CPU and Ram gadget usage whilst doing some heavy photo processing image conversions while the CPU is reving up to 98% the Ram is hovering around 20% so it would look like I dont need to tweak the default settings.
I don't do any gaming

[clayt74]

I haven't had time to check the specs of the video card, but it sounds like the card is only 32bit hence only able to share 4 of the 8 GB system memory?

[fazersharp]

Thats interesting but I had a look and found this http://www.nvidia.co.uk/docs/IO/40049/quadro_nvs_290_datasheet.pdf
Form Factor
Low Profile,
2.731” (H) x 6.6” (L)
Frame Buffer Memory
256MB DDR2
Memory Interface
64-bit
Memory Bandwidth
6.4GB/sec.
Max Power Consumption
21W
Graphics Bus
PCI Express x16
and x1
Display Connectors
DMS-59
Single Link DVI
Yes (2)
Auxiliary Power Connectors
No
Number of Slots
1
Thermal Solution
Passive heatsin

[fazersharp]

Perhaps its just set to use half of whatever ram you have installed otherwise you would have no ram left to do rammy things

[Dead Eye]

If anything, 3GB of Graphics Memory is more than enough. Graphics Memory has more of a determination on how many screens you can run at the same time as opposed to how powerful the card is; that is determined primarily by its own GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Obviously, having more available and fast memory helps, but just adding on Graphics Memory won't make the GPU any faster at drawing frames beyond it's maximum capabilities :P

[fazersharp]

The card has its own 256mb but the nvidia stats say -- Total available graphics memory 3839mb, so the card is borrowing some --or at least making available -on standby ?

[Dead Eye]

Basically the card itself has 256MB of DDR2 onboard, but it can also access and make use of your system memory (RAM), so that's what it is doing. It is sharing the system memory so that it can perform better, although given your usage scenario it would be fine on just it's onboard memory anyway.

Given that you have 8GB of system memory, I wouldn't be particularly worried unless you plan on doing intensive image / photo editing fairly often - contrary to what you might think, you'd be better off with more system memory than graphics memory for this task

[fazersharp]

Thanks for clarifying that for me
I still have other CPU questions but might start a new topic on that one

[BBROWN1664]

With 8GB of system RAM, the fact that 3GB is being used by the graphics card shouldn't cause you any problems.
If you find it is, two options are available. Go into the graphic card software and modify the amount it Is using, or upgrade the system RAM.

As I say though, you shouldn't have any issues.

[fazersharp]

Its not that I was having problems it was just that I didn't understand what the graphics card view system topology info was telling me here----

Nvidia Quadro NVS 290
Total available graphics memory   3839mb
Dedicated graphics memory         256mb
Dedicated system memory           0mb
Shared system memory              3583mb
 
I see that the Shared system memory 3583mb + Dedicated graphics memory 256mb = Total available graphics memory 3839mbI was confused that it was a 256mb card and yet it said there was 3839 available ---I now know (with all the help here)  that it is ----or has available if it needs it, half of my total 8gb ram

I was worried about the 4gb part when I should have 8gb ram, I have run the win7 ram test and it reports all 8gb running fine and so it looks like the card will just borrow up-to half of whatever I have installed.

I watched the ram and CUP usage during a heavy photo processing job and I was running out of CPU at 98% but still was only using 20% ram so have no ram issues.