{"id":37082,"date":"2026-07-23T17:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T12:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/?p=37082"},"modified":"2026-07-23T19:35:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T14:05:04","slug":"shared-gpu-memory-windows-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/shared-gpu-memory-windows-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Shared GPU Memory in Windows 11 – What is it and Why You See It in Task Manager\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

When suddenly the game you are playing, e.g., Cyberpunk 2077, won\u2019t start, and you see a blank screen<\/a> with a message not enough video memory<\/b>, what do you do?<\/p>\n

Do you open Task Manager, restart the PC, or reinstall the game?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The smartest way to fix issues like the game not launching is to open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), view memory usage, and check the GPU tab. It will tell what\u2019s wrong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when you do so, you will see two numbers under the GPU tab – Dedicated\u00a0 GPU memory 4 GB and Shared GPU memory 16 GB, four times the size of your graphics card.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is it and why is it there?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t some free graphics memory that you can use. It is computer memory marked as 16 GB by Windows that can be borrowed, not used by the graphics chip.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"GPU<\/p>\n

If it can\u2019t be used, why is this memory allocated? Well, this is what this post is about and why you get\u00a0 “not enough video memory\u201d because Windows 11 doesn\u2019t explain it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Shared GPU memory?<\/h2>\n

Every PC has two types of graphics memory: <\/span>dedicated and shared<\/b>. Where <\/span>dedicated memory <\/b>is the physical memory built onto the graphics card, a portion of which is set aside for the graphics chip to be used even before you boot Windows. This is a fixed amount that matches the graphics card or laptop it’s sold with, called VRAM. In contrast, <\/span>shared memory <\/b>is not a physical part of the graphics card. It is borrowed from the memory used by the processor, browser, and other active programs, like a permission slip that allows using X amount of memory when dedicated memory is full.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Does the Number not Match the Actual RAM?<\/h3>\n

Many people on Microsoft community forums have raised this issue. They upgraded RAM or reinstalled a graphics driver, and what they see is a change in the allocation of shared memory that doesn’t make sense. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>One person went from 7 GB of shared memory to 3 GB after upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10<\/span><\/a> and installing a new graphics driver, while using the same 14 GB of RAM without making any configuration changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"14<\/p>\n

\"Advanced<\/p>\n

Another thread is<\/span> about a user with an RTX 3060 and 12 GB of real dedicated memory, who can see a separate 8 GB of shared memory<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"GPU<\/p>\n

The thread explains it as shared memory is automatically released when an app needs it. This means the memory is not permanently taken away, it is just the standby memory. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>This 50% allocation of memory is a general rule but it isn\u2019t fixed because it depends on<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. The graphics software driver version installed
\n<\/span>2. Whether there is a separate and an integrated graphics card.
\n3. BIOS firmware settings, and in some cases, OEM-specific limits.<\/p>\n

Not only this, when your system has both a built-in and a separate graphics chip, you see two GPUs listed as GPU 0 and GPU 1 in Task Manager, each with its own dedicated shared numbers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"GPU<\/p>\n

In this kind of setup, games sometimes stutter because, even with a separate graphics card, the game is likely assigned to the built-in graphics chip. In such cases, before applying any troubleshooting, go to the game\u2019s graphics options in Windows and understand why <\/span>the GPU is missing in Task Manager<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>why GPU crashes, but the PC stays on<\/span><\/a>. If this doesn\u2019t help, update the graphics driver through Device Manager, by visiting the manufacturer\u2019s website, or with a dedicated driver-updating tool like Advanced Driver Updater.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"download\"<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Dedicated vs. Shared GPU Memory
\n<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDedicated GPU memory (VRAM)<\/b><\/td>\nShared GPU memory<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What it is<\/b><\/td>\nPhysical memory built onto the graphics card<\/span><\/td>\nA reserved or borrowed portion of system RAM<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Speed<\/b><\/td>\nFast, as built for the use of a graphics chip<\/span><\/td>\nSlow as it travels from RAM to the GPU<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who else can use it<\/b><\/td>\nNobody except the GPU<\/span><\/td>\nCPU and every other active app, when the graphics chip is not using it.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical size<\/b><\/td>\nFixed at the time of manufacture (4 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, etc.)<\/span><\/td>\nBy default, roughly half of the system RAM. However, it is adjustable sometimes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for<\/b><\/td>\nGaming, rendering, and video editing.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nBackup capacity, light 2D tasks, browser, and video playback.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why is the Speed of Shared Memory Slow?<\/h3>\n

<\/b>It is because of how the data moves. On a modern graphics card, dedicated memory moves data at roughly 448 GB per second. Whereas, on a PC without it, the memory moves data at less than a quarter of that speed. Not only that, shared memory travels through shared internal connections with limits, while dedicated memory skips these passes.
\n
\nHow to Fix Video Stuttering or Lagging Issues on Windows<\/span><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Does Increasing Shared GPU Memory Actually Improve Performance?<\/h3>\n

No, and sometimes things may get worse. If your system has a separate memory card, Windows automatically manages shared memory, and you can\u2019t change that. However, if you are an advanced user with a system that has integrated graphics, changing the pre-allocated amount in BIOS can help in some specific situations, not overall. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n

\n
\n
<\/i><\/div>\n
\n

Tip : <\/strong>Never treat a shared memory number as a physical one. Changing the allocation will only change the amount of RAM reserved before the operating system loads.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Also note that the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling setting, found under Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Advanced graphics settings, does not change the RAM percentage marked for sharing.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Change Shared GPU Memory in Windows 11<\/h2>\n

You cannot do it from Windows 11 settings. To do so, you need to access firmware or, if it is newer hardware, then a driver-level control panel.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Integrated Graphics – BIOS\/UEFI<\/h3>\n

1. Restart your PC and press F2, Delete, or Esc to enter BIOS.
\n\"press
\n<\/span>2. Click the Advanced tab.
\n<\/span>3. Go to Chipset or North Bridge settings to find a graphics or video memory section.
\n<\/span>4. Look for a setting like DVMT Pre-Allocated, IGD Memory, or UMA Frame Buffer Size.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"BIOS
\n5. Increase the value within the range the BIOS allows.
\n<\/span>6. Save and exit to apply changes.
\n<\/span>7. On the next reboot, the new allocation will be applied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember, on OEMs, consumer laptops, you may not find this option, as the company keeps it locked to prevent instability issues. Alongside this, you need to understand –\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n