Question about Windows 7 and modifying? DVMT

[Hotnutz]

Hello I have been out of the multiboxing scene for some time and I am in the process of building a new system. I am basicly ordering parts as I can afford to. At this time I have everything I need being shipped except my graphics card which I cannot afford yet.

I will have the following:

i5 2500k Sandy Bridge
ASRock Z68 Pro3-M
12 GB Corsair 1600 RAM
Along with the other stuff to run it (PSU, case, optical and HDD)

I will be running Windows 7 64-bit

So here is the question.... Since I cannot afford a graphics card as of yet, I am going to attempt to box a few-5 accounts using the integrated HD 3000 graphics from the chip. From what I have researched this uses the system memory as shared memory. Other people are experiencing low amounts of the shared memory being allocated by the DVMT in windows 7 and regardless of what you change the bios setting to, Win 7 will take over anyways.

I know this will be horrible graphics to try and box with but I want to see if its playable whatsoever so I can at least start leveling. I am looking to find out if there is a way to disable or change the way the DVMT in win 7 handles the minimum amount of memory that way as I am trying to play it is not giving a small amount to be used (not sure if this is worded very well or makes sence) For example from the microsoft site it says the DVMT can use up to ~1.7 GB for shared memory but people have stated that their systems showing it only giving like 200-300ish mb minimum and I want to see if i can set a fixed minimum amount of like 1 gb or so for it to use.

This may be a dumb idea but it is something I would like to try until I can afford a real graphics card. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Obsidian7]

Intel® HD Graphics 3000 delivers immersive and casual mainstream gaming capabilities with entry-level discrete graphics card performance without an additional graphics card or chip.

well as you mention it wont be pretty and the poor on board chip will probaly be screaming mama after an hour or so.

[Hotnutz]

Yes I understand this and I probably wouldn't have much of an issue just leveling and staying out of town as much as possible with 1-3 toons, but i am going to attempt 5 and have sufficient aftermarket cooling as well, I just want to see if i can change something within windows 7 to permanently dedicate a large amount of minimum memory to the graphics.

[MiRai]

Why not avoid the headache and wait a few weeks to pick up a new video card after your new computer is
built? Or just hold off altogether on the system until you can afford the entire thing?

You mention you've been out of the scene for awhile... so, what's another few weeks?

[Hotnutz]

I would rather hop in for light stuff just to knock the dust off, and the other game I have been playing patches tomorrow with some stuff that is going to ruin the game.

Anyways.... Is there anyone out there that knows something I can do to DVMT in win 7, I would rather get advice from others since I am not finding the information anywhere else yet.

Even if it some sort of predefined settings, registry entries whatever I may have to change is fine as long as I get it to allocate a large minimum amount of memory to the chip.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

The core management for that (i.e.: setup) is in BIOS, not the OS. If you have options in there for aperture size, pool and such, you can tweak it. If you don't have those options, you're SOL.

[edit] And looking at the ASRock site, there are no BIOS tweaks that change that. You might poke around in the UEFI tool and see if there are options for it. If not, sorry.

[Hotnutz]

Yes I spoke with ASRock tech support and they said the adjustments are in the UEFI Bios, but upon further research other people have reported that regardless of the bios settings that Windows 7 is basicly taking over and using the DVMT. Now im not 100% sure if this will be the same with the Z68 boards but I guess I will have to see when it gets here tomorow.

[Cptan]

I have no knowledge of the DVMT, but maybe you can compare your system vs my laptop, which is a Dell Studio for office use. It is powered by i7 1.6GHz, 8GByte Windows 7 64-bit and display thru ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470. Based on some benchmarks, some claims that the Intel HD 3000 has slightly better performance than the HD 5470.

The system is definitely far from good, but I am still able to 5 boxed wow clients. All screen resolution set at 1280x768.

I recently downloaded Bandicam video capturing software to replace the non-performing Cam Studio. Take a look at this non-heroic boss fight and see if the speed and graphics are ok to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjp393qjmbc

[Hotnutz]

interesting, it's not bad at all, ya my major concern was just if it would allow enough memory to be shared for running 5 clients. no worries tho I forgot that I am on really crappy internet now so I will be taking about another day or w/e to get it all set to go. I will keep you guys updated because if this is functional as a 5 box rig without the extra card, it may be a nice budget 5-box system for people. I spent just under $600 for this rig.