就像你的CPU一样，你的GPU需要RAM来高速为其提供数据。没有它，您的GPU将不得不直接从硬盘读取数据，这比RAM慢很多倍。
如果您没有足够的VRAM（视频 RAM(Video RAM)），也会发生同样的事情。您的GPU被迫将数据从RAM交换到硬盘，导致您的GPU性能崩溃。好消息是，在某些情况下，可以增加Windows 10系统上的VRAM，尽管它可能无法完全达到您的预期。
集成与专用 GPU
从广义上讲，现代计算机中有两种类型的GPU（图形处理单元）。
集成GPU内置于与(GPUs)CPU相同的封装中。如果不更换整个CPU(CPU)，就无法将它们更改为更好的模型。这些GPU(GPUs)在笔记本电脑和低端台式电脑中很常见。您会在大多数主流CPU(CPUs)和桌面系统中找到它们。他们的显示器连接在主板上。
集成GPU(GPUs)的一个关键属性是它们没有自己的专用VRAM。相反，系统RAM的一部分被分配给GPU。这是使您可以增加可用的VRAM数量的关键事实。
专用GPU(GPUs)就像完整的独立计算机。他们有自己的芯片封装、自己的冷却系统和自己的RAM模块。这些内存模块属于一种特殊类型，称为GDDR – 图形双倍数据速率(GDDR – Graphics Double Data Rate)内存。
由于其性质，专用GPU(GPUs)通常比集成 GPU 性能好得多。权衡是专用GPU(GPUs)占用更多空间并需要更多功率。
使用专用卡也无法增加其VRAM，因为这是显卡本身的固定硬件功能。
增加VRAM 会(VRAM Will)或不会做什么
VRAM与GPU性能没有直接关系。GPU的性能只有在VRAM用完时才会受到影响。换句话说，如果图形工作负载不需要比可用数量更多的VRAM，那么它对GPU性能的影响为零。
是什么推高了VRAM要求？有几个因素会增加图形的内存占用：
- 更高的分辨率
- 复杂的 3D 几何图形和效果
- 大型 GPU 加速数据集
- GPU 加速的高分辨率视频和照片编辑
正如您可能已经意识到的那样，您有时可以选择减少工作负载而不是尝试增加VRAM分配，但最终VRAM要求与GPU需要处理的数据量相关。
如何在 BIOS 中增加 VRAM
BIOS是计算机的基本固件，可让所有硬件初始化并进行通信，以便将控制权移交给您的操作系统。因此，可以在此处找到控制专用GPU的(GPU)VRAM分配的设置。
在现代系统中，您无法为集成GPU指定固定数量的(GPU)VRAM。相反，您可以根据需要选择它可以获取的最大RAM量。(RAM)这是因为您的集成GPU现在正在与您的CPU竞争内存资源，而您不希望GPU占用它那一刻不需要的内存！
至于更改值的实际步骤，每个BIOS都不同。首先(First)，您需要重新启动计算机，然后反复按BIOS快捷按钮，直到它出现。该按钮也因一个BIOS不同而异，因此请寻找屏幕提示或查阅您的主板手册。
进入BIOS后，您想要查找包含“集成外围设备”、“VGA 共享”或类似设置的页面。该设置应称为“集成图形内存分配”，并以 MB 或 GB 为单位显示值。
您所要做的就是将该值更改为更高的值。然后保存并退出BIOS。但是，您的特定BIOS可能根本没有此选项，使其完全自动且不受您控制。
通过添加更多 RAM 来增加 VRAM
虽然专用GPU(GPUs)不允许您升级其VRAM，但大多数台式机和笔记本电脑允许您升级系统RAM的数量。由于集成GPU(GPUs)将系统RAM用作VRAM，因此您可以通过升级系统RAM来增加可用的(RAM)VRAM数量。这不仅可以让您为集成GPU分配更多内存，还意味着CPU也将拥有更多内存。所以这是个好消息。
这里需要注意的是，您的集成GPU可能被硬限制为某个共享的最大VRAM大小，这仍然可能小于您的需要。您需要在主板手册或BIOS设置中确认最大尺寸。
专用 GPU(Dedicated GPU)是最佳解决方案
集成GPU(GPUs)变得越来越好。例如，最新的Intel Iris Pro和Iris Plus GPU(Iris Plus GPUs)可以与专用的入门级GPU 并驾齐驱(GPUs)。这对于超极本和其他小型、轻薄型设备来说是个好消息。
但是，如果您需要中等或更高水平的GPU肌肉，那么专用GPU是您的最佳选择。在桌面系统中，这很容易做到。只要您的机箱中有空间、合适的电源和开放的PCIe插槽，您就可以将任何您喜欢的GPU插入系统。
对于笔记本电脑，事情变得更加复杂。具有Thunderbolt 3的笔记本电脑也可能支持外部 GPU(external GPUs)。这使您可以在笔记本电脑对接时访问功能强大的专用GPU 。
一些罕见的笔记本电脑型号使用称为MXM模块的专用GPU系统。(GPU)您可以购买替换GPU(GPUs)并将它们换成您机器中当前的 GPU。这项技术通常只在高端游戏和工作站笔记本电脑中找到。
云替代品？
如果您的GPU没有足够的VRAM（或足够的GPU能力）来完成您需要的工作，您也许可以从云端获得一些帮助。对于游戏玩家来说，现在有多种用于高端游戏的流媒体解决方案。如果您有足够快的互联网连接，那么Google Stadia、GeForce Now和其他类似产品可能是您获得负担得起的高端游戏的门票。
如果你需要你的GPU来做更严肃的工作，那么可以租用功能强大的虚拟机并将你的计算机用作它们的远程终端。对于某些专业任务，例如CAD或工程模拟，您可以订阅云应用程序，为您完成所有繁重的工作。在短期内，这可能是获得更好GPU性能的最具成本效益的方式。
您的所有选择
那是相当多的信息！因此，如果您需要更多 VRAM，让我们总结一下我们上面列出的不同选项：
- 增加BIOS中的(BIOS)VRAM分配。
- 增加(Increase)与集成GPU共享的系统RAM量。
- 请改用专用 GPU。
- 为您的GPU(GPU)工作负载寻找基于云的解决方案。
如果这些解决方案都不可行，那么可悲的是，最后的手段是购买一台全新的计算机，并确保它具有完成工作所需的GPU规格。
How to Increase VRAM in Windows 10
Just like your CPU, your GPU needs RAM to feed it data at high speed. Without it, your GPU would have to read data directly from your hard drive, which is many times slower than RAM.
If you don’t have enough VRAM (Video RAM) the same thing happens. Your GPU is forced to swap data from RAM to the hard drive, bringing your GPU performance crashing down. The good news is that in some cases it’s possible to increase VRAM on your Windows 10 system, although it might not achieve exactly what you’d expect.
Integrated vs. Dedicated GPUs
Broadly-speaking, there are two types of GPU (graphics processing unit) to be found in a modern computer.
Integrated GPUs are built into the same package as the CPU. They can’t be changed for a better model without also replacing the entire CPU. These GPUs are common in laptops and lower end desktop computers. You’ll find them in most mainstream CPUs and on desktop systems. Their monitor connection is on the motherboard itself.
One key attribute of integrated GPUs is that they don’t have their own dedicated VRAM. Instead, a portion of system RAM is allocated to the GPU. This is the key fact that makes it possible to increase the amount of VRAM at your disposal.
Dedicated GPUs are like complete self-contained computers. They have their own chip package, their own cooling system and their own RAM modules. These memory modules are of a special type called GDDR – Graphics Double Data Rate memory.
Thanks to their nature, dedicated GPUs are generally much better performing than integrated ones. The tradeoff being that dedicated GPUs take up more space and need more power.
With dedicated cards it’s also not possible to increase their VRAM, since this is a fixed hardware feature on the graphics card itself.
What Increasing VRAM Will or Won’t Do
VRAM isn’t directly tied to GPU performance. The GPU’s performance only ever suffers as a result of VRAM when you run out of it. In other words, if the graphics workload does not require more VRAM than the available amount, it will have zero impact on GPU performance.
What pushes up the VRAM requirement? There are a few factors that can increase the memory footprint of your graphics:
- Higher resolutions
- Complex 3D geometry and effects
- Large GPU-accelerated datasets
- GPU-accelerated high resolution video and photo editing
As you may have realized, you sometimes have the option of decreasing the workload rather than trying to increase the VRAM allocation, but ultimately the VRAM requirement is tied to the amount of data the GPU needs to process.
How to Increase VRAM in the BIOS
The BIOS is the basic firmware of your computer, letting all the hardware initialize and communicate so that it can hand over control to your operating system. So it makes sense that the settings which control the VRAM allocation of a dedicated GPU would be found here.
In modern systems you don’t get to specify a fixed amount of VRAM for your integrated GPU. Instead, you get to choose the maximum amount of RAM it may grab as it needs it. This is because your integrated GPU is now in competition with your CPU for memory resources and you don’t want the GPU hogging memory it doesn’t need right that minute!
As for the actual steps to change the value, every BIOS is different. First you’ll need to reboot your computer and then repeatedly press the BIOS shortcut button until it appears. That button also varies from one BIOS to the next, so look for an on-screen prompt or consult your motherboard manual.
Once you’re in the BIOS, you want to look for a page that contains settings for “integrated peripherals”, “VGA share” or something similar. The setting should be called something like “integrated graphics memory allocation” and show a value in MB or GB.
All you have to do is change that value to a higher one. Then save and exit from the BIOS. However, your particular BIOS may not have this option at all, leaving it completely automatic and out of your hands.
Increasing VRAM by Adding More RAM
While dedicated GPUs don’t allow you to upgrade their VRAM, most desktop and laptop computers do let you upgrade the amount of system RAM. Since integrated GPUs use system RAM as VRAM, you can increase the amount of VRAM available by upgrading system RAM. Not only will this let you allocate more memory to the integrated GPU, it means the CPU will have more memory as well. So it’s good news all around.
The one caveat here is that your integrated GPU might be hard limited to a certain shared maximum VRAM size, which could still be less than you need. You’ll need to confirm the maximum size in your motherboard manual or in the BIOS settings.
A Dedicated GPU Is the Best Solution
Integrated GPUs are getting much better. For example, the latest Intel Iris Pro and Iris Plus GPUs can stand toe to toe with dedicated entry-level GPUs. This is great news for ultrabooks and other small, thin and light devices.
However, if you need a moderate or better level of GPU muscle then a dedicated GPU is the way to go. In a desktop system that’s a pretty easy thing to do. As long as you have space in your chassis, the right power supply and an open PCIe slot, you can pop any GPU you like into the system.
For laptops, things get more complicated. Laptops that have Thunderbolt 3 may also support external GPUs. This allows you to access a powerful dedicated GPU when your laptop is docked.
Some rare laptop models use a dedicated GPU system known as MXM modules. You can purchase replacement GPUs and swap them out with the current one in your machine. This technology is usually only found in high-end gaming and workstation laptops.
A Cloud Alternative?
If your GPU doesn’t have enough VRAM (or enough GPU power) to do the job you need it to, you may be able to get some help from the cloud. For gamers, there are now multiple streaming solutions for high-end gaming. If you have a fast enough internet connection, then Google Stadia, GeForce Now and other similar products could be your ticket to affordable high-end gaming.
If you need your GPU to do more serious work then it’s possible to rent powerful virtual machines and use your computer as a remote terminal for them. In the case of certain professional tasks such as CAD or engineering simulations, you can subscribe to cloud applications which do all the heavy lifting for you. In the short term that may turn out to be the most cost-effective way to access better GPU performance.
All Your Options
That was quite a lot of information! So let’s summarize the different options we’ve outlined above if you need more VRAM:
- Increase the VRAM allocation in your BIOS.
- Increase the amount of system RAM shared with your integrated GPU.
- Use a dedicated GPU instead.
- Look for cloud-based solutions for your GPU workloads.
If none of these solutions are possible, then the last resort, sadly, is buying an entirely new computer and making sure that it has the GPU specifications you need to get the job done.
