How to Increase VRAM in Windows 10: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide

Video memory (VRAM) is crucial for smooth graphics performance in games, video editing, and GPU-accelerated tasks. While discrete GPUs come with fixed VRAM, integrated graphics (like Intel® HD/UHD Graphics or AMD APUs) use a portion of your system RAM as shared video memory—and you can often tweak this allocation for better performance. Below, you’ll find detailed, easy-to-follow steps to check your current VRAM, adjust BIOS settings, tweak Windows virtual memory, and explore other tips to get the most out of your GPU.

What Is VRAM and Why Increase It?

VRAM (Video RAM) is a special type of memory on your graphics card or integrated GPU that stores textures, frame buffers, and other graphics data. Increasing VRAM can:

• Reduce stutters and texture pop-ins in games and 3D applications
• Improve performance in video editing and rendering tasks
• Enable higher resolutions or more detailed graphics settings

Tip: If you have a discrete NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, your VRAM is fixed on the card itself and cannot be increased via software. The steps below apply primarily to integrated GPUs that borrow from system RAM.

Step 1: Check Your Current VRAM Allocation

Before making any changes, let’s confirm how much VRAM Windows 10 currently reports:

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type dxdiag and hit Enter.
3. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, go to the Display tab.
4. Look for Display Memory (VRAM).

| 😊 Keep Going! | Now you know your baseline—let’s boost it! |

Step 2: Increase VRAM via BIOS/UEFI Settings

Many motherboards let you allocate more system RAM to the integrated GPU. Here’s how:

1. Restart your PC.
2. As it boots, repeatedly press F2, Del, or F10 (depending on your manufacturer) to enter BIOS/UEFI.
3. Find the Advanced, Chipset, or Peripherals section.
4. Locate Video Settings, Integrated Graphics, or IGPU Configuration.
5. Look for options like DVMT Pre-Allocated, UMA Frame Buffer Size, or IGD Memory.
6. Increase the value (e.g., from 128 MB to 512 MB or 1 GB).
7. Save & Exit (often F10), then let Windows boot normally.

Encouragement: Once you reboot, re-check DXDiag. You should see your VRAM go up—great job!

Step 3: Adjust Windows Virtual Memory (Page File)

While this doesn’t directly raise VRAM, a larger page file can help when your GPU runs out of dedicated memory:

1. Right-click This PC → Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings on the left.
3. Under Performance, click Settings.
4. Go to the Advanced tab → Change… under Virtual memory.
5. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
6. Select your system drive (usually C:) and choose Custom size.
7. Enter a larger Initial and Maximum size (e.g., 4096 MB to 8192 MB).
8. Click Set, then OK, and Restart your PC.

Well done! This gives Windows more breathing room when VRAM runs low.

Step 4: Registry Tweak for AMD Integrated GPUs

Use this only if you have an AMD APU and no BIOS option to increase VRAM. Be cautious—editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: mathematicaCopyEditHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Video
3. You’ll see multiple {GUID} keys. Expand each and look under 0000 for a GMM folder.
4. Select GMM and find DedicatedSegmentSize. If it doesn’t exist, right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value → name it DedicatedSegmentSize.
5. Double-click DedicatedSegmentSize, choose Decimal, and enter the amount in megabytes (e.g., 512).
6. Click OK, close Registry Editor, and restart.

Encourage: After reboot, open DXDiag again. If successful, your AMD GPU will report higher VRAM.

Step 5: Additional Tips & Best Practices

• Update GPU Drivers: Always keep Intel®, NVIDIA, or AMD drivers up to date.
• Close Background Apps: Freeing system RAM helps integrated GPUs perform better.
• Lower In-Game Settings: Reduce texture resolution or shadows to compensate if VRAM is limited.
• Consider an SSD: Faster swapping of virtual memory can mitigate VRAM shortages.

Keep it up! Small tweaks add up to smoother gameplay and editing.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Increasing VRAM on Windows 10 requires a blend of BIOS tweaks, Windows settings, and—if available—registry hacks. Remember:

• Discrete GPUs: VRAM is fixed; focus on driver updates and settings
• Integrated GPUs: BIOS/UEFI changes are your best bet
• Virtual Memory & Registry: Useful workarounds when BIOS options are limited

Ready for better graphics performance? Try these steps today, and let me know in the comments which method worked best for you!