AGP Aperature Size

[sswingle]

I went into my BIOS to enable fast writes, and I noticed the next option down was agp aperature size. It is currently set at 32MB, but can go up to 128. My question, what does the aperature size setting mean, and should it be set to equal the RAM on my video card, or are these two seperate things.

My video card has 128 MB. Having it set at 32 seems low, but since I don't know what it is refering to, I left it that way for now.

Thanks!!

 

[Mem]

To put it very simple AGP size allows the video card to borrow memory from you main PC ram if and when it needs more(say your 128mb video card needs 192mb for textures it can borrow ithe rest from the main system ram),remember very few games will need more then 128mb at the moment but down the road that`ll change,however if you have a 16mb video or 32mb card right now then it`ll be a different case.

Common sizes are 64mb or 128mb,if you`ve 128mb main PC ram then 64mb max setting is wise for AGP size,if you`ve 256mb or 512mb ram in your PC then using 128mb will be fine,feel free to try both sizes and remember the video card will only use it if needed.

So AGP size determines how much memory it can borrow from your system ram,you are saying it can borrow 64mb of main ram maximum if needed(if you set it to 64mb AGP size).

Some games require lots of memory for textures etc.

 

[VIAN]

And if you set the Aperature size remember that the amount of memory you specified is dedicated to AGP textures and that you system can't use it.

 

[emb09]

Originally posted by: Mem
To put it very simple AGP size allows the video card to borrow memory from you main PC ram if and when it needs more(say your 128mb video card needs 192mb for textures it can borrow ithe rest from the main system ram),remember very few games will need more then 128mb at the moment but down the road that`ll change,however if you have a 16mb video or 32mb card right now then it`ll be a different case.

Common sizes are 64mb or 128mb,if you`ve 128mb main PC ram then 64mb max setting is wise for AGP size,if you`ve 256mb or 512mb ram in your PC then using 128mb will be fine,feel free to try both sizes and remember the video card will only use it if needed.

So AGP size determines how much memory it can borrow from your system ram,you are saying it can borrow 64mb of main ram maximum if needed(if you set it to 64mb AGP size).

Some games require lots of memory for textures etc.

good info. thanks.

 

[rbV5]

And if you set the Aperature size remember that the amount of memory you specified is dedicated to AGP textures and that you system can't use it.

That is false, if the graphic card does not utilize the memory, it is not taken from system memory. It is not set aside in "reserve".

 

[BMI]

By the way, I'm trying to find about video playback system utilizing removable hard drives.

Any help would be great...

 

[Mem]

That is false, if the graphic card does not utilize the memory, it is not taken from system memory. It is not set aside in "reserve".

rbV5 is correct,it will only use it when it needs too,even then it may not need to borrow the full amount of the AGP size set in the BIOS.

 

[Emultra]

Will the amount of selectable MBs AGP Aperature size increase if I install more RAM? Maximum size is now 128 MB, I think (I have 256 MB DDR RAM). Say I buy another 512, will I be able to set it at 256 MB Aperature, or must it be specifically supported by the motherboard?

 

[Mem]

Say I buy another 512, will I be able to set it at 256 MB Aperature, or must it be specifically supported by the motherboard?

It depends on what the motherboard BIOS maximum AGP setting is,so it depends on the motherboard in question,you can set 256mb AGP size if your motherboard as that option in BIOS.

 

[VIAN]

Sorry about my wrong information.

 

[psxjunky]

Tweak3D article on Aperture Size

Credit for finding this goes to nigelcc at the Sudhian forums.

 

[Emultra]

Thanks for answer, Mem.

 

[edmundoab]

i think I have seen the same title of this thread 3 times...

 

[BFG10K]

Leave it at 64 MB, raising it to 128 MB or 256 MB only if you have problems.

 

[THUGSROOK]

benchmark it and find out which is best
i get an extra 170 3dmarks (03) by using a 256mb ap over a 128mb ap.

gotta test it to find out what your system likes tho.

 

[Mem]

Leave it at 64 MB, raising it to 128 MB or 256 MB only if you have problems.

Hmm that`s wrong,I`ve both my PCs at 128mb AGP size (over 3 years now) and never had a problem,besides they wouldn`t have it as an option in BIOS if it did cause problems.

I would say you don`t really need to use 256mb AGP size,bottom line is don`t set it too high if you don`t have much main system ram(no more then half the amount of the total system ram is the normal guideline).

 

[Slammy1]

I've read a number of contradictory things about aperture size. Some say it's meaningless and should be set to 0, others as high as you can go. What I've gathered from it is a statement I read once seems to be the best guideline, 1/4th the system RAM. This is subject to changes in video memory and game design, so I guess there really are no fast true rules.

 

[Mem]

1/4th the system RAM. This is subject to changes in video memory and game design, so I guess there really are no fast true rules.

Other factors as well,like one person with a 256mb video card won`t need to set the AGP size as high as somebody with say a 32mb video card,also other factors like the in game in question and what AA/AF resolution settings are in use,too many variables as they say.