Possible to turn off an IGP?

Cloudium

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Dec 2, 2007
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IGP + VRAM + RAM + miscellaneous memory might just exceed the 4GB limit on 32bit. So, once I get my GPU, I'm looking into turning off the IGP to make sure this doesn't happen. Yes, I could go 64bit Vista but I rather not.

So, could I turn off the IGP? And if I do so, will it's memory still be read?
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
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Going to need your system specs.

Motherboard make and model
Are you using XP or Vista 32?

At any rate, 32 bit systems cannot address a full 4GB of RAM anyway. It will show up in task manager as something like 3.6GB total memory installed. Onlly 64 bit systems can address a greater amount of memory. You will need Vista 64 to address the full 4GB of RAM, or greater.

 

Cloudium

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Dec 2, 2007
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But 32bit systems can adress 4GBs of memory, and that's what I'm talking about. Anyway, my PLANNED systems specs:

32bit Vista
High end 9000 card (probably 768MB or so of VRAM)
3GBs of RAM
IGP with 256MB

I don't think other stuff would matter that much.
 

mruffin75

Senior member
May 19, 2007
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And just to add to this...

IGP solutions use shared memory, so basically they take a chunk of your system memory and allocate it to graphics.. so whether or not you disable it or not, it's not going to make a difference to the amount of RAM in your system, well at least the problem you think you may have at least.. let me explain:

Say you have a PC with 2GB of RAM...and you're using IGP which says it has 256MB...

2GB - 256MB = 1.75GB

And you turn off the IGP..

2GB - 0 = 2GB

But either way..you will still have 2GB...there will be no change...
 

mruffin75

Senior member
May 19, 2007
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Depends on the mainboard...

Some turn off the IGP as soon as you plug in a video card...others you may have to do it in the BIOS..

You didn't mention what mainboard you have.
 

Cloudium

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Dec 2, 2007
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OK but I have yet to decide my MoBo so I can't just yet. But if any MoBo can, then I will be fine. Thansk a lot for the help guys.
 

daveybrat

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Wouldn't it just be easier then to buy a motherboard without onboard graphics?? :D
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Cloudium
But 32bit systems can adress 4GBs of memory, and that's what I'm talking about. Anyway, my PLANNED systems specs:

32bit Vista
High end 9000 card (probably 768MB or so of VRAM)
3GBs of RAM
IGP with 256MB

I don't think other stuff would matter that much.

No, they don't. You can install 4GB of memory in the motherboard, but that doesn't mean it all gets used. You will only see just over 3GB ever being utilized on 32 bit. This is with or without onboard video by the way.

You will need 64 bit OS to use the full 4GB. That is a fact. If there are workarounds, all the better.

3GB is a sweet spot for a 32 bit OS. You will be fine.

Anyway, with your setup, and the IGP using 256MB of system memory, you will have 2.75GB available to the OS.

As far as turning off your IGP completely when you DO eventually get a graphics card, well, that all depends on the mobo you end up with.
 

Cloudium

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Dec 2, 2007
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^Ok but I was using memory as in general memory, not the RAM kind specifically. I'm still deciding on my MoBo, and when I done I can post it here and you guys can tell me if it's possible to turn off teh IGP on taht MoBo or not.

The reason I want a MoBo with IGP is due to to the recent news about 9800 GX2, which is reported to be at least 30% more powerful than the Ultra. I definitely find this disappointing; I expected it to be so powerful that they can promise 40 til 50% more power months before it has launched, since that's what you would expect from a next gen GPU. I think Nvidia has decided to work on the post G100 series instead since ATi isn't puting up any high end competition.

I could off course get an EVGA GT so I can step up, but that won't do me any good if the G100 series is a disappointment. I also want to see what ATi has to offer, and you can't step up to ATi cards IIRC. I don't want to buy a cheap GPU to use temporary either, since I know I can find a board with IGP for cheaper anyway.

And that's that basically.
 

Cloudium

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Dec 2, 2007
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http://tinyurl.com/2e5gyt

Ok, I have gotten it down to those MoBos. All seem pretty decent. I heard plenty of good stuff about GB ones so I'm leaning more towards it. Also, is it possible to get an E2200 to 3.2GHz or higher with any of these boards?
 

mruffin75

Senior member
May 19, 2007
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If you're hanging out for a high-end video card, just buy something cheap now (eg. a 3850 or 8600 or whatever) and a decent mainboard which doesn't have IGP.

You'd be better off with a mainboard that doesn't support IGP anyway, and even low end cards like even the 2600 Pro would be worlds apart from IGP.