How to Configure VRAM with 16GB RAM and Ryzen 5 5600G

When considering how much VRAM you can allocate to your system with 16GB RAM and an Ryzen 5 5600G paired with an Asus TUF Gaming B450M Pro S motherboard, it’s crucial to understand the integrated graphics setup. The Ryzen 5 5600G comes with integrated Radeon graphics, which means VRAM is essentially a portion of your system RAM. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to configure this setting in the BIOS.

VRAM Allocation Basics

With the default BIOS settings, the integrated graphics typically allocate around 2GB of system RAM as VRAM. However, the exact amount can vary based on the BIOS version and other system settings. It’s possible to increase this allocation up to the maximum supported by the system, which could be around 4GB, depending on your RAM configuration and other system settings.

BiOS Configuration for Adjustable VRAM

To change the VRAM allocation, you need to access the BIOS settings during the system boot process. Look for options related to integrated peripherals or graphics, and adjust the shared memory settings. This can help you allocate more VRAM, improving performance in certain scenarios.

Performance Considerations

While increasing the VRAM allocation can help, it’s important to remember that this will reduce the amount of RAM available for other applications. Balancing VRAM allocation against system RAM is crucial for overall system performance. For instance, while 4GB might be the theoretical maximum, in practice, allocating less than 2GB to VRAM is advisable to ensure enough system RAM remains for other tasks.

Automated VRAM Allocation

Integrated graphics do not have dedicated VRAM but use a portion of your system RAM (CPU RAM) as VRAM. The allocation is typically around 256MB to 512MB. This is automatically managed by the system, so it can be adjusted in the BIOS, depending on the manufacturer. However, prebuilt PCs from major OEMs, such as Dell, may lock down BIOS options, making manual adjustment impossible.

The integrated GPU can use more than the allocated amount if needed, up to half of your total RAM capacity, though it rarely reaches that level. APU systems like the Ryzen 5 5600G are designed to share data between the CPU and GPU, so it’s often better to leave the VRAM allocation at default and let the APU handle it automatically.

However, in some scenarios, you might need to allocate more VRAM. For example, if your CPU is using too much RAM, not leaving enough for the integrated GPU, or if some games refuse to boot due to insufficient VRAM detection. In these cases, increasing the VRAM allocation might be necessary.

It's generally advisable to leave enough system RAM available to ensure optimal performance. A good rule of thumb is 4GB, which is the upper limit for effective VRAM utilization with the Vega 7 integrated GPU.