PC Graphics

[jambill123]

I have an HP 15" laptop with Ryzen 5 5500u w/ 8GB ram and integrated Radeon graphics. I've looked around for a few games and other software and for the most part my graphics memory seems adequate. A couple of games, however, require 2GB dedicated graphics memory and I have 512MB. This seems a little low. I didn't realize this when I bought my computer although I am very happy with it. Is there anything I can do to play with the big boys or is this a learn to love it situation and just look for it in the next laptop? I bought this only a couple of months ago. Thanks!!

[johnnyenglish]

Hi,
I'm sorry but this laptop is not something made to play Triple A games, I've check performance and it should land around 90-100fps on CS GO.

Sure you can game some e-sports quite well but maybe you should start saving for a better laptop down the road.

Good luck

[jambill123]

Hello, thanks for the share. I thought as much about the gaming ability.. I was just hoping for a glimmer of hope to be able to handle some (ok to good) games. I knew I was limited but was just kind of wondering where I stood. I prefer offline games like Quake 1 and 2. I have those but they seem to run in a window rather than fullscreen. Thanks for your input though. I enjoy the conversation very much and I'm learning a lot. Take care.

[MADZyren]

So did I get it right, that you have Ryzen 5500U and integrated graphics, no dedicated GPU, and 8 gigs on DDR4? There is one thing you can do and that is to get another 8 Gb stick of DDR4 SO-DIMM (make sure it is compatible - you can use a tool on Kingstons webpage). Your current system runs in so called single-channel memory mode because you only have one memory stick (8Gb) installed. If you install another one, your system runs in dual-channel memory mode which will improve iGPU performance remarkably. It will not turn your laptop into a gaming powerhouse, but will improve performance of both the CPU and integrated GPU (mostly latter).

Before buying anything, check that you actually have only one 8 Gb stick and not 2x4, but 2x4 is not very common, so I suspect you have 1x8 SO-DIMM installed.

This is the first benchmark I could find comparing single-channel and dual-channel memory configuration in laptop with integrated graphics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=924DNcai3Sk 

[jambill123]

Hi there. Yes it is an hp 15" laptop ef2040tg with the Ryzen 5 5500u 2.1ghz hexacore with 1x8gb ram 3200mhz. My laptop says AMD Radeon graphics..(a bit generic sounding to me). Do I have any specific grade or standard or model of graphics or is it just plain ol' Radeon? I know they're integrated graphics but I was hoping for some kind of benchmark to refer to..ie: Radeon 7, Radeon 580, or something to help identify my level of graphics capabilities..( or the lack thereof). A couple of games I was interested in indicated that my graphics did not meet minimum requirements. The games would call for 1-2GB or 4GB and up. I don't expect to play the most sophisticated games but I would hope to be able to play a somewhat decent game with what I've got. My task manager says I've only got 512MB dedicated video memory but a total of 4.2GB. I'm a bit unsure of what it means and would love to hear more from you or anyone you know might be able to help. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and helping me figure this out. I really appreciate it. (I will post  a pic of the gpu in task manager).  Thank you again..:)

[MADZyren · Accepted solution]

Ryzen 5500U always has the same integrated chip. 

This is the first benchmark that came across from youtube https://youtu.be/c9f-2M_hcFo?t=663 

And here is another where it says specifically mentions having upgraded to dual-channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9e7at2q10I 

EDIT: Here are a couple of videos about increasing VRAM from BIOS and benchmarks: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAsnPWSQtLw 

http://tech-profis.com/vram-matter-vega-11-ryzen-5-2400g-apu 

Apparently the amount of 'dedicated' memory does not affect performance as GPU automatically uses the amount of system memory it needs. Maybe if some game complains about it, you might try to increase it from BIOS if that way game is allowed to run, but shouldn't affect performance according to this.

[jambill123]

Thank you so much for your time in helping me with this. I think I've got it..(kinda mostly). Do I have any particular graphics though? ie: vega 7 or vega 10 or ?? Ex:(Or do I just have the generic yellow bottle of Tide laundry detergent - LOL)  Anyway thank you for the time you've taken to help me. Those links were really interesting. 

[MADZyren]

Google says Vega 7

[jambill123]

[elstaci]

Does your HP Laptop have two GPUs? One is Integrated and the other is Dedicated?

Some laptops in BIOS Settings you can increase the Integrated Graphics Video Memory from 512MB to 2GB or above. But if your BIOS has no setting to increase your Integrated Graphics Memory than what you have is permanent.

If your Laptop BIOS setting does have a IGPU Memory setting you can increase your IGPU vRAM but with only 8GB of RAM it might not be a good idea to increase to 2GB since the IGPU takes away from your System RAM Memory.

If you not sure if your laptop has a Dedicated GPU card installed run SPECCY and it will tell you most of the hardware an software you have installed.

Also GPU-Z can probably tell you plus show if your AMD driver is properly installed.

[Vynski]

You will probably have to check with HP as I did with MSI, but check to see if XMP is enabled in the BIOS for your memory to run at faster speed.  That is after you accept @MADZyren's advice and install another 8GB of RAM.  Since mine was not available in the BIOS, I contacted MSI and they responded with "YES, it is set enabled by default in my machine".