Max addressed video memory?

Total newbie here.Okay, so I have an Intel 945 Express Chipset(it's an old PC, real old) and I read that it can only address a maximum of 224MB video memory.Does that mean it's a waste having a 512MB video memory with it? or will it adjust and just use 224MB out of that 512MB, though it must be a waste :P ?

Where did you read the 224MB limit? That seems odd. If I remember right a 16 bit OS limits you to 15MB of RAM and a 32 bit OS limits you to 4GB of RAM. (Combined system and video total). When you use more than that, it just ignores the rest of the RAM beyond the limit.If it truely limits you to 224MB of video ram, I'm sure there are going to be more issues than just RAM size if you are trying to put a 512MB video card into the system. 512MB video cards are relatively new, and I'm sure a computer that old won't have the interface required to connect it.

Replying to #2

What do you mean by that?

The interface between the card and the motherboard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_card#Motherboard_interface

Replying to #4

With all those listed, I have the PCIe x16.So it doesn't support 512 then?

I think the Intel 945 Express Chipset is an integrated graphics chipset. It's not a video card. And it's for laptops. Are you sure you are even able to put a video card into your laptop?

Replying to #6

I have a desktop which has a laptop chipset? f*ckIt seems the onboard video card(Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950) itself is the only one with the max of 224 MB.

cheap desktops quite often use intel integrated video to save money.

Ya, I just assumed laptop since that's usually where they are used.You'll have to open up your PC and see what type of interface your motherboard has available. You can put a Video Card in a computer with integrated graphics, and use it instead. But you have to have a compatible video card. For some reason if your computer is really as old as you say it is... I don't think it would have a PCIe slot. Be careful so you don't spend money on a top-notch video card and end up not being able to use it in your computer.

Replying to #9

Yes, as mentioned in a previous post I have a PCIe slot.A PC purchased from 2007 is real old, right?

Replying to #10

I would not call that "real old". I've got a couple Packard Bell desktop PCs from the mid to late 90s sitting on my shelf. My graphics card in my current PC alone is probably 100x as powerful as those PCs put together. I've got a Gateway PC still active from 2001/2002... It was state of the art back when I got it when I graduated from high school. It has a Geforce4 TI-4200 in it.So go ahead and update your PC. Since it's not an "real old" PC, you won't have any issues. Just remember that there is a 4GB limit for total ram (system and video) on the 32 bit systems. I'm assuming your PC is running 32bit Windows XP. So if you get too big of a video card you will limit the ram your system can use by a lot. I wouldn't go bigger than 1024MB video ram. Probably wouldn't need more than 512 though.

Blade5406 · #10Yes, as mentioned in a previous post I have a PCIe slot.A PC purchased from 2007 is real old, right?

no... I have 3 PC's ranging in age from '98 to '03, those are considered old

I see, thanks for the help.This thread can be locked now.

important thing to bear in mind: If your computer is a prebuilt (for example a dell), then upgrading the graphics card is likely to require an upgraded power supply, as the one supplied is probably barely adequate for the hardware that is already in the machine. Also, some prebuilt computer manufacturers (again, dell) use non standard parts in order to make upgrading difficult. Also pay attention to airflow and thermal management.