512 meg video card .. vid memory says 1062 used 42

[TheZohan]

my card is a ATI HD 4850 with 512 megs of memory .. when i go into the game the <cntr-I> says i have 1062 megs of video and used 42? any reason why?

[Fulmar]

Ctrl-I is notoriously buggy.

[Skuzzy]

If you check DXDIAG, you might find that the driver has allocated part of your system RAM along with the video RAM and that is where the total number is coming from.  It may only show up in the text file you can create using the "Save All Information" button.

I think if you install the ATI Catalyst Control Center that is one of the results of it.  Not really sure about that, but I have seen that with all the new drivers from ATI and NVidia and it seems to be tied to the control panels they install.

Still speculating a bit as I am digging around.  I have never installed the CCC and have never witnessed any system RAM being allocated to the video card, but I get a ton of DXDIAG outputs everyday and I see allocation of system RAM with all manner of video cards.

The total RAM used is what the video card is reporting.  However, the value is not something that is standard.  Is it free RAM before texture compression?  After texture compression?  Before textures are loaded into the card from system RAM?  Afterwards?  Are only active textures counted?  Vertices?  And so on.....

[TheZohan]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/9/2009, 08:45:39
       Machine name: DENNIS-F8956E36
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
       System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/12/09 09:02:03 Ver: 08.00.14
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 7750 Dual-Core Processor,  MMX,  3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
             Memory: 2048MB RAM
          Page File: 893MB used, 3046MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9442)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9442&SUBSYS_22661787&REV_00
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Dell P1130
  Monitor Max Res: 1800,1440
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/25/2009 17:41:10, 325120 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 2/25/2009 18:58:57, 3565568 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D702-11CF-3A6F-6C02A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x9442
        SubSys ID: 0x22661787
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run


------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 15.3 GB
Total Space: 114.5 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: WDC WD1200JS-00MHB0

      Drive: E:
 Free Space: 34.5 GB
Total Space: 194.5 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: Maxtor 6L200R0

      Drive: F:
      Model: ASUS DRW-2014L1T
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 14:40:46, 62976 bytes

      Drive: G:
      Model: HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NP20
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 14:40:46, 62976 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
     Name: Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_0201&SUBSYS_00321737&REV_01\4&2966AB86&0&30A4
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\RT2500.sys, 3.01.0000.0000 (English), 10/19/2005 12:00:04, 243328 bytes

     Name: Realtek RTL8169/8110 Family Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8167&SUBSYS_0E10105B&REV_10\4&2966AB86&0&20A4
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\Rtnicxp.sys, 5.713.0121.2009 (English), 1/21/2009 07:49:40, 118656 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\RtNicProp32.dll, 1.02.0000.0003 (English), 1/16/2009 14:45:48, 73728 bytes

     Name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9442&SUBSYS_22661787&REV_00\4&3B252A0E&0&0010
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\ati2mtag.sys, 6.14.0010.6925 (English), 2/25/2009 18:58:57, 3565568 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\ati2erec.dll, 1.00.0000.0018 (English), 2/25/2009 16:37:46, 53248 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2dvag.dll, 6.14.0010.6925 (English), 2/25/2009 17:41:10, 325120 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2cqag.dll, 6.14.0010.0413 (English), 2/25/2009 16:32:05, 626688 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2mdxx.exe, 6.14.0010.2495 (English), 2/25/2009 17:29:41, 26112 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati3duag.dll, 6.14.0010.0647 (English), 2/25/2009 17:16:45, 3817984 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ativvaxx.dll, 6.14.0010.0218 (English), 2/25/2009 16:59:31, 2670080 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiicdxx.dat, 1/26/2009 13:55:37, 182995 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ativva5x.dat, 3/28/2008 23:36:13, 3107788 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ativva6x.dat, 3/28/2008 23:36:13, 887724 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\amdpcom32.dll, 6.14.0010.0023 (English), 2/25/2009 16:44:29, 49664 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiadlxx.dll, 6.14.0010.1032 (English), 2/25/2009 16:38:47, 126976 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ativvaxx.cap, 4/9/2009 02:41:12, 151824 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIDDC.DLL, 6.14.0010.0008 (English), 2/25/2009 17:26:17, 53248 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atitvo32.dll, 6.14.0010.4200 (English), 2/25/2009 16:38:37, 17408 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ativcoxx.dll, 6.13.0010.0005 (English), 11/9/2001 11:01:04, 24064 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2evxx.exe, 6.14.0010.4222 (English), 2/25/2009 17:27:41, 602112 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2evxx.dll, 6.14.0010.4178 (English), 2/25/2009 17:29:15, 155648 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atipdlxx.dll, 6.14.0010.2550 (English), 2/25/2009 17:30:02, 204800 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\Oemdspif.dll, 6.15.0006.0004 (English), 2/25/2009 17:29:49, 155648 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2edxx.dll, 6.14.0010.2514 (English), 2/25/2009 17:29:32, 43520 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atikvmag.dll, 6.14.0010.0098 (English), 2/25/2009 16:40:20, 475136 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atifglpf.xml, 8/31/2007 09:20:49, 7167 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIDEMGX.dll, 2.00.3343.30075 (English), 2/25/2009 17:42:32, 442368 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\aticaldd.dll, 6.14.0010.0227 (English), 2/25/2009 16:30:01, 3227648 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\aticalrt.dll, 6.14.0010.0227 (English), 2/25/2009 16:32:59, 45056 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\aticalcl.dll, 6.14.0010.0227 (English), 2/25/2009 16:32:53, 45056 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atibrtmon.exe, 2.00.0000.0000 (English), 10/21/2008 14:51:43, 118784 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiok3x2.dll, 6.14.0010.8543 (English), 2/25/2009 16:35:08, 290816 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atioglxx.dll, 6.14.0010.8543 (English), 2/25/2009 17:30:15, 11841536 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiiiexx.dll, 6.14.0010.4006 (English), 2/25/2009 17:09:44, 307200 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\atiogl.xml, 12/29/2008 15:35:28, 15485 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIODCLI.exe, 1.00.0000.0001 (English), 10/21/2008 13:40:00, 45056 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIODE.exe, 1.00.0000.0001 (English), 10/21/2008 13:40:00, 81920 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIODCLI.exe.manifest, 9/29/2008 17:22:29, 529 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATIODE.exe.manifest, 10/3/2008 17:48:01, 527 bytes

  

    

[Skuzzy]

So much for that theory.

The memory being reported in the game is a system call made to the operating system.  It is not something we actually calculate.

It may be possible the shared memory in system RAM is dynamic and only being allocated when an DirectX application is running.  Another guess.