How does VRAM allocation work in GPU(s) of those in AMD APUs?
How does VRAM allocation work in GPU(s) of those in AMD APUs?
Hello everyone, recently I reflected on something while checking VRAM usage in a game. I didn’t find any official details from AMD about VRAM allocation on their APUs, especially for laptops. For example, when looking up the Ryzen 5 5500U, I noticed no information about its built-in GPU VRAM on the AMD site. I recall a build guide mentioning that some early or second-generation Ryzen APUs let you set the amount of system RAM assigned to the GPUs in the BIOS. I think what I saw was a video from Tech YES City explaining this process, and it seems clear how AMD handles GPU VRAM for desktop models. I’m sure the same applies to mainstream Ryzen 7 4750G and newer Zen architecture chips. I’m curious if AMD has ever provided guidance on this for laptop GPUs. Thank you for your time and thoughtful comments.
APUs don't possess VRAM; they rely entirely on system RAM. Within the BIOS, you can allocate a specific quantity of system RAM exclusively for APU use and determine how much should be shared.
It should be adjustable through the BIOS settings, though this option might also be disabled. This is especially relevant for laptops or pre-assembled PCs using a custom OEM BIOS from manufacturers like Acer, Dell, HP, etc.