Easy Question about FX go5200

jaime2784 · 2nd Oct 2007, 07:34 AM

Hello guys! I have a very simple question that has been bugging me for a while now. I have an Inspiron 5150 with a go5200, in the Dell website it says that the card has 64MB of memory. But when I go to Display Properties>Settings>Advanced>Adapter, System Information, Direct X diag, and CMOS/BIOS and it says it is only 32MB. I called tech support and they told me that the card is reading right, that it is 64MB but it takes the other part it takes it from system memory.

I thought that these cards have dedicated memory. And even if it shared it should say it is 64MB, don't you guys think? Is there any of you who have or had an Inspiron that could tell me if this is right? For example if you had the 64MB version of this card, could you tell me if it read 64MB on your information? Thank you.

peaz · 2nd Oct 2007, 08:56 AM

Actually, the tech support guys are right. The video card does have a dedicated memory, but only 32MB onboard. If you read the fine print, it will state that the 64MB is derived from 32MB dedicated + 32MB shared RAM. This is normal marketing technique most manufacturers use.

Oh, it will definitely only show 32MB of RAM on the card. Shared RAM only kicks in when the card needs more than 32MB that's already on board.

jaime2784 · 2nd Oct 2007, 09:38 AM

Okay, I just want to have this clear. There are two models for this card 32MB and 64MB (for this inspiron). If the 64M says that it has only 32MB then the 32MB will say 16MB only? My doubt comes when for example this computer,

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell...6.html?tag=sub

,it says it has 64MB but, will it says so in the system information or he has a 128MB go 5200?
Because if you go to this forum there are people saying they have the 64MB version. Do they know by doubling what his system is showing?
http://forums.techarp.com/archive/index.php?t-7220.html

I just want to have this clear, sorry.

Adrian Wong · 2nd Oct 2007, 10:50 PM

Actually, the amount of framebuffer is entirely up to the vendor. But the GPU supports TurboCache, which just means it can use some of the system memory as graphics memory.

Some vendors may tell you the actual physical graphics memory size, while others lump it together with the TurboCache memory.

2nd Oct 2007, 07:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
jaime2784 Newbie Join Date: 2 Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	Easy Question about FX go5200 Hello guys! I have a very simple question that has been bugging me for a while now. I have an Inspiron 5150 with a go5200, in the Dell website it says that the card has 64MB of memory. But when I go to Display Properties>Settings>Advanced>Adapter, System Information, Direct X diag, and CMOS/BIOS and it says it is only 32MB. I called tech support and they told me that the card is reading right, that it is 64MB but it takes the other part it takes it from system memory. I thought that these cards have dedicated memory. And even if it shared it should say it is 64MB, don't you guys think? Is there any of you who have or had an Inspiron that could tell me if this is right? For example if you had the 64MB version of this card, could you tell me if it read 64MB on your information? Thank you.

2nd Oct 2007, 08:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
peaz ARP Webmaster Join Date: 13 Oct 2002 Location: http://atpeaz.placidthoughts.com/ Posts: 8,584 Reputation: 1673 Rep Power: 32	Actually, the tech support guys are right. The video card does have a dedicated memory, but only 32MB onboard. If you read the fine print, it will state that the 64MB is derived from 32MB dedicated + 32MB shared RAM. This is normal marketing technique most manufacturers use. Oh, it will definitely only show 32MB of RAM on the card. Shared RAM only kicks in when the card needs more than 32MB that's already on board. __________________ Ken Ng Tech ARP Follow me at Twitter Shoot and Earn Money from Stock Photography

2nd Oct 2007, 10:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 32,304 Reputation: 3574 Rep Power: 75	Actually, the amount of framebuffer is entirely up to the vendor. But the GPU supports TurboCache, which just means it can use some of the system memory as graphics memory. Some vendors may tell you the actual physical graphics memory size, while others lump it together with the TurboCache memory. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

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2nd Oct 2007, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
jaime2784 Newbie Join Date: 2 Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	Okay, I just want to have this clear. There are two models for this card 32MB and 64MB (for this inspiron). If the 64M says that it has only 32MB then the 32MB will say 16MB only? My doubt comes when for example this computer, http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell...6.html?tag=sub ,it says it has 64MB but, will it says so in the system information or he has a 128MB go 5200? Because if you go to this forum there are people saying they have the 64MB version. Do they know by doubling what his system is showing? http://forums.techarp.com/archive/index.php?t-7220.html I just want to have this clear, sorry.