How to increase video memory on an MSI laptop: from BIOS settings to Windows tweaks

Video memory (VRAM) is a critical resource for modern games, video editing and graphics work. On laptops MSI with integrated or discrete graphics, its capacity is often limited by factory settings, which leads to lags, low FPS or errors like OUT_OF_MEMORY. Unlike desktop PCs, where you can physically add RAM or install a new video card, laptop owners have to look for software solutions.

This article is not about “magic utilities” that promise to double VRAM in 5 minutes. We'll sort it out methods that really work - from changing parameters in BIOS to manually editing the Windows registry - which have been tested on models MSI GF63, GE76 Raider, Modern 14 and others. Important: the effectiveness of the methods depends on the configuration of your laptop. For example, on chips Intel UHD Graphics the maximum increase will be 512–1024 MB, and at NVIDIA RTX 3060 with Dynamic VRAM - up to 4–8 GB.

1. Checking the current amount of video memory and its types

Before increasing VRAM, you need to understand what kind of graphics you are working with and how memory is allocated. On laptops MSI There are three scenarios:

• 🔹 Integrated Graphics (Intel HD/UHD, AMD Radeon Vega): uses part RAM as video memory (usually 128–512 MB by default).
• 🔹 Discrete graphics (NVIDIA GTX/RTX, AMD RX): has its own memory (e.g. 4GB GDDR6), but can borrow RAM for tasks like Resizable BAR.
• 🔹 Hybrid system (NVIDIA Optimus, AMD SmartShift): switches between integrated and discrete graphics, VRAM is allocated dynamically.

To find out the current VRAM size:

1. Click Win + R, enter dxdiag and go to the tab Screen.
2. Look at the line Display memory (VRAM). For example, 1024 MB (1 GB).
3. For detailed information use GPU-Z (download from the official website TechPowerUp). In the section Memory pay attention to Dedicated (allocated memory) and Shared (shared).

Important! If in GPU-Z in the field Memory Type indicated System Memory, your graphics are using RAM. This means that increasing VRAM is possible by reserving more RAM.

2. Increasing VRAM via BIOS: step-by-step instructions

The most reliable way is to change the settings in BIOS/UEFI. However, not all models MSI support this option. For example, in laptops with Intel 11th generation and newer the option may be hidden, and on older platforms (MSI GL62, GE62) - available in the section Advanced.

How to get into the BIOS on MSI:

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Hold down the key Delete (on some models - F2) and turn on the power.
3. If the logo appears MSI, release the button - you are in the BIOS menu.

Further actions depend on the firmware version:

Critical detail: on laptops with processors Intel 12–13 generations and graphics Iris Xe The VRAM option in the BIOS is often locked. In this case, proceed to methods 3–5.

Make a backup copy of important data|Connect the laptop to a power source|Record the current BIOS settings (take a photo)|Do not interrupt the process of saving settings-->

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect BIOS settings can lead to Windows boot failure or artifacts on the screen. If the laptop does not turn on after the changes, reset the BIOS by removing the battery (for 30 seconds) or using a jumper CLR_CMOS (see model manual).

3. Tweak the Windows Registry to Increase VRAM

If the BIOS does not have the necessary options, you can manually set the amount of video memory through the registry. This method works on Intel HD/UHD Graphics and some hybrid systems (for example, NVIDIA Optimus + Intel).

Instructions:

1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm administrator rights.
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel

   If folders Intel no, create it (right button → Create → Section).

3. Inside Intel create a section GMM (from Graphics Memory Manager).
4. On the right side of the window, create DWORD value (32 bits) with name DedicatedSegmentSize.
5. Set the value to megabytes (For example, 512 for 512 MB or 1024 for 1 GB) and select the number system Decimal.
6. Restart your laptop.

To check the result, open again dxdiag. If the VRAM value has not changed:

• 🔹 Make sure integrated graphics is enabled in BIOS (iGPU Multi-Monitor = Enabled).
• 🔹 Try creating additional settings in the same registry section:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel\GMM

  — DedicatedSegmentStart (meaning 0),

  — StolenMemorySize (meaning 256 or 512).

4. Optimize graphics drivers for dynamic VRAM allocation

Modern drivers NVIDIA And AMD support technology Dynamic VRAM, which automatically reserves part of the RAM for graphics tasks. However, this mechanism may be limited by default. Let's look at the settings for both platforms.

For NVIDIA video cards (GTX/RTX):

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel (right click on the desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel).
2. Go to Manage 3D Settings → System Settings.
3. Find the option Page file size for GPU and install Allow maximum size.
4. In the section SLI/PhysX Settings make sure that PhysX processor installed on your discrete card (for example, RTX 3060).

For AMD video cards (Radeon RX):

1. Open AMD Adrenalin Software (tray icon or via the Start menu).
2. Go to Performance → Settings → Advanced.
3. Activate Smart Access Memory (if supported by processor Ryzen).
4. In the section Graphics turn on Radeon Super Resolution - this will reduce the load on VRAM in games.

For integrated graphics Intel:

• 🔹 Update drivers via Intel Driver & Support Assistant (official website).
• 🔹B Intel Graphics Control Panels (Win + X → Intel Control Panel) select profile Maximum performance.
• 🔹 Turn on Hardware acceleration in the browser settings (for example, in Chrome: chrome://settings/system).

⚠️ Attention: After updating drivers NVIDIA on laptops with Optimus The ability to manually switch graphics may disappear. To return it, open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Software Settings and manually add applications (for example, chrome.exe), choosing a discrete card for them.

5. Using the paging file and virtual memory

If physical video memory is sorely lacking (for example, for rendering in Blender or games like Cyberpunk 2077), you can use swap file on SSD. This will not increase VRAM directly, but will help avoid errors OUT_OF_MEMORY.

How to configure the swap file:

1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → Advanced.
2. In the section Virtual memory click Edit.
3. Uncheck Automatically select the size of the paging file.
4. Select a drive (preferably SSD) and install Specify size:
   • 🔹 Original size: 1.5 × [RAM size] (for example, for 16 GB of RAM - 24576 MB).
   • 🔹 Maximum size: 3 × [RAM size] (For example, 49152 MB).

Additional trick for games: some titles (for example, GTA V or The Witcher 3) allow you to manually limit VRAM usage. To do this:

1. Find the game configuration file (usually in the Documents\My Games).
2. Open it in Notepad and add the lines:

   MaxVideoMemorySizeMb=4096
   MaxWellMemoryUsage=0.9

   (where 4096 — desired amount of VRAM in MB).

6. Alternative methods: from overclocking to upgrade

If software methods do not work, consider the following options:

• 🔹 Overclocking video memory (only for discrete cards): using MSI Afterburner increase Memory Clock at +100–200 MHz. This will not add VRAM, but will speed it up. Risk: overheating and artifacts.
• 🔹 Adding RAM: on laptops MSI with two RAM slots (for example, MSI GF65 Thin) you can install larger modules. The video memory of the integrated graphics will increase proportionally.
• 🔹 External video card: through Thunderbolt 3/4 connect eGPU (For example, MSI Gaming Dock with RTX 3070). This will give you a full 8–16 GB of VRAM, but will cost $1000–2000.
• 🔹 Game optimization: use mods like Dynamic Resolution Scaling (in Cyberpunk 2077) or utilities Special K, which reduce the load on VRAM.

For owners MSI Creator/Workstation: some models (eg MSI WT75) support video card replacement. Check the service manual (Service Manual) on the website MSI — compatible GPUs are indicated there.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about increasing video memory on MSI

1. Откройте AMD Adrenalin.
2. Перейдите в Производительность → Настройка → Графика.
3. Активируйте Radeon Anti-Lag и Radeon Boost.