VRAM (Video Random Access Memory)

VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) is memory (RAM) is intended for processing graphic data, so that information can be displayed on a computer screen. Many terms are used, ie. Video RAM (VRAM), Video Memory, Graphics Memory, Display Memory, VGA Memory etc.

Display on-screen graphics are handled by the processor (GPU), therefore, this process also requires the availability of memory (RAM) specifically for this purpose. So it can be mentioned that the unit (hardware) graphics processor is a "small computer" located in the host computer.
Unit (hardware) is a determinant of the quality of the graphical display of a computer system. It could be for a high-end graphics display, the price of the graphics processing unit (VGA card) to be more expensive than the price of the parent's own computer.

Even so, we do not always have to put up (buy) a separate graphics processor (VGA card), because many motherboards built-in graphics processor (On-board VGA) is sufficient for standard computing.

This type is often called a graphics processor (VGA) On-board, because it has been integrated on the motherboard (the processor and the Northbridge chipset), while its memory (VRAM) "borrowed" from the main memory (primary memory / extended memory) in computer. In memory than the function is called VGA Shared Memory. Of course the quality of the graphics display only "ordinary" course.

But the motherboard are now providing on-board graphics processor with pretty good performance. For example, Intel H67 or Z68 chipset on board with Sandybridge processor gives pretty good results, even for gaming.

Role of VRAM

Displays information on the screen is a separate computing process (very complex) in a computer-graphic data for a specific data and would have to be specially prepared anyway. This process is separate from the data by computing-central processor (CPU).

In general, the processing of graphics data is more difficult than, for example, the processing of text data. In a previous article I mentioned that the RAM will determine the speed of data processing by the CPU. Because the processor does not take the data directly from the disk (which is slow), but taking of RAM (which is faster).

Because the graphics processing unit is a "computer" as well, then in terms of graphics, the VRAM is also largely determines the performance of a computer graphics. Graphic data processing speed of the GPU is also highly dependent on the speed and capacity of VRAM, that's why the graphics RAM (GDDR) designed a little different than the system RAM. The difference lies in the band-width is wider. Besides, the speed of the processor-graphics (GPU) would also be a determining factor graphical data processing speed.

What is the capacity of VRAM On Computer?

On-board VGA VRAM does not have its own, but use part or system memory Main Memory (RAM) on the motherboard.

How much RAM is enabled (shared) for graphics as VRAM, this depends on the manufacturer of the motherboard, whether to configure the amount of VRAM permanent (fixed), dynamic VRAM configuration (the maximum), or a combination of both (dynamic but can be arranged maximum limit).

Usually this type of configuration can be seen (and set) of one-BIOS menu. For fixed-configuration commonly used terms: VGA Shared, Shared Memory, Graphics Share, by providing multiple options (options) the amount of RAM that will be functioned (shared) as video RAM or VRAM. For dynamic configuration of commonly used terms: DVMT (Dynamic Video Memory Technology) and provides a variety of different options for each brand motherboard (BIOS). DVMT is Intel's proprietary technology.

As for the VGA module-specific cards - often called add-on cards -, using a separate GPU, already have installed on the module VRAM VGA-card. The amount of VRAM capacity is also mixed.

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