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AMD Introduces Variable Graphics Memory for Enhanced Gaming Performance

In the evolving landscape of gaming technology, many laptops and handheld devices utilize a shared memory architecture between the CPU and GPU. This design can sometimes limit the gaming experience, especially when greater graphics performance is needed. AMD aims to address this with its latest innovation, Variable Graphics Memory (VGM), simplifying the process of reallocating system RAM to function as dedicated video RAM. Users can now easily adjust their memory allocation through the AMD Adrenalin desktop application without the need to access BIOS settings.

Currently, this feature is exclusive to the AMD AI 300 “Strix Point” laptops. The extent of RAM that can be dedicated to video memory hinges on the total RAM available on the device. For instance, a laptop equipped with 32GB of RAM can allocate up to 8GB for graphics memory, effectively transforming a machine with 512MB of original video memory into one with a total of 24GB usable for general tasks and 8GB for gaming applications.

This adjustment raises a pertinent question: does increasing video memory notably enhance gaming performance? The answer is nuanced and varies based on the specific game. Titles like Alan Wake II demand a substantial amount of VRAM—up to 6GB—resulting in errors if this threshold is not met. Gamers using devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go have been manipulating their VRAM settings to maximize performance, often pushing the limits of playability.

Initial evaluations of the feature using the Asus Zenbook S 16—a Strix Point device already shipping with VGM—indicate mixed results. In tests conducted by technology journalist Joanna Nelius, it was found that while enabling VGM improved frame rates in some games, such as Control, where performance jumped from 54 fps to 65 fps, not all titles benefited equally. Some may see marginal improvements, no change, or even slight decreases in performance.

Performance improvement varies by title, leading to an eagerness among gaming enthusiasts to explore the feature’s impact on their favorite games. AMD maintains that substantial boosts can be achieved with VGM, especially when combined with their latest technologies, provided that the system’s base performance is adequate before enhancements are applied.

According to AMD, users can witness remarkable frame rate increases in games like Horizon Zero Dawn. Players already achieving around 39 fps might potentially escalate their experience to a smoother 66 fps when VGM is utilized alongside other technologies like AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Advanced Frame Rate Management 2 (AFMF2).

In related news, AMD has unveiled the RX 7800M, a high-performance laptop graphics chip designed to deliver up to 180W and outfitted with 12GB of dedicated video memory. Comparisons have been drawn between this GPU and its desktop counterpart, the RX 7800 XT, positioning it as a vital addition to AMD’s mobile graphics lineup, bridging the performance gap between the RX 7900M and RX 7600M XT.

As AMD continues to push the boundaries of gaming technology, users are encouraged to explore these innovations, particularly the Variable Graphics Memory feature, as they seek optimal gaming experiences tailored to their specific system configurations.

Source
www.theverge.com