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VGA Shared Memory


l0new0lf331
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get the laughter out first..............ok?.............allrightythen

i have a dell

ok.....well wait for the laughter to stop........

specs:Dell Inspiron 1440 Intel Dual Core@2.20GHZ

OS:Windows 7 Home Premium

4 GB Ram

300 GB HDD

Mobile Intel Series 4 chipset family

I read in my research to tweak this POS that getting into the BIOS configuration that you should be able to increase the VGA shared memory which basically adds more vRAM by using your system RAM.I've scoured my computer for that info(my BIOS is the Dell A07),ive pressed F12 in boot-up just cant seem to find it.

Amazingly enough with a coupla tweaks i got Oblivion to play quite well onthis laptop.150+mods.Interiors are smooth,unless there is alot of enemies,butthe Exterior world is where i run into alot of stuttering.not unplayable,just annoying.Int.15-20 FPS Ext.3-7 FPS.I have streamline,stopped using OSR as i dint like the Slo-Mo effect(the stuttering moved faster)Operation Optimization didnt help much either.

Does VGA shared memory do this and does anyone know how i can find the setting on this machine?

Thank You

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I'm not sure about this especially since I haven't much experience with Dell laptops, but from what I know, the shared memory is designed on the motherboard and controlled by the CMOS (as you are aware). The amount of shared video memory is hard coded (max amount that can be configured). From experience the only settings I know of that are changeable are reducing or turning off shared memory. And that experience is with desktops that aren't proprietary in nature. Dell and others may hard code this where you aren't able to change the set values.

Maybe someone with experience with laptops and yours in particular will know more about the general settings for you.

HTH

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Mobile Intel Series 4 chipset family

Your problems aren't memory related, it's the graphics chip. Chips are just not powerful enough to sustain running Oblivion at even smooth levels. You're actually lucky it runs at all, with mods.

Trying to change any shared memory isn't going to solve the problem. A video card will. (I don't know if you can even add video cards to Dell laptops, sorry).

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Your problems aren't memory related, it's the graphics chip. Chips are just not powerful enough to sustain running Oblivion at even smooth levels. You're actually lucky it runs at all, with mods.

Trying to change any shared memory isn't going to solve the problem. A video card will. (I don't know if you can even add video cards to Dell laptops, sorry).

She speaks truly, she does.

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Yeah, you're lucky to have it run at all, let alone at a decent frame rate with all those mods. My experience with Dell laptops is that you won't be able to do anything about the shared memory amount, and even if you could, you'd really be advised not to. You only have 4GB, shared VRAM is already taking part of that now. Windows will demand you give it some for OS functions, which doesn't leave you with much breathing room.

Best bet would be do some PyFFI'ing of your meshes if you haven't already, using version 2.1.6. That should pull out some extra frames for you. It won't be a miracle, but every little bit will help.

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Even if you could assign more RAM to the graphics chip, in my experience it wont help.

The system give preference to other things before it gives spare RAM to the chipset, and the RAM is often slower anyway so the trade up is hardly worth it.

I got an intel 965 running smoothly on low video setting and graphics helping mods.....you jsut arent going ot get a quality experience using an intel graphics chipset thoiugh.

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Unfortuneately Dell strips virtually all the user controllable options out of their BIOS. If you've been through the BIOS and can't find it there's a 99% chance it's because the option simply isn't present, and unless you can get hold of an original BIOS for the motherboard and flash it (dangerous and will VOID your warranty) you're out of luck.

WT

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Shared memory is controlled by the O/S, not BIOS. Not that it really matters..... the memory that gets shared is system memory, which, in and of itself is fairly speedy, BUT, having to be translated thru the bus, to the video chip, negates any benefit there. Adding more video memory isn't going to help you in any event. (as has been said...) The Intel graphics 'solution' really isn't intended to play games like oblivion. Being that you are on a laptop, there are no upgrade opportunities...... So, you are stuck.

If you check out the oblivion performance project thread on the BGS forums, you might be able to get a bit better framerate outside, but, not without some serious hoop-jumping. Even then, if you manage over 10FPS, I would be surprised. Any Texture/Graphics mods are going to be a MAJOR no-no. Script heavy mods are going to slow you down as well.... (but, not to the same degree.)

Optimizing the game itself is only one aspect of the issue. Optimizing your laptop, to free up as many resources as possible, so that they can be used to run the game will also help some. I know Dell likes to load a boatload of "stuff" at start up, all of which competes with the game for resources. Tweaking the system just might get you into a playable range. Check out Blackviper's website for system tweaking.

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Pyffi has gotten awfully automated of late. Check for the latest thread on BGS forums. I think the current version has a clue about which files to skip, and which ones to actually do. Just back up anything you subject to pyffi, so, if there is a problem, you can just replace the files, and not have to reinstall the game.

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