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If your system memory is faulty, it can cause all manner of weird and wonderful problems, many of which you wouldn’t relate to system RAM being the culprit. Another part of your system that might have its own memory is the video card. That could also fail or become faulty as well. While a problem with system RAM can sometimes be difficult to pin down, video memory problems should be easier to identify because the issues will be related to displaying the image on the screen.
This can manifest itself in a few ways, such as getting ablue screen of deathor a restart while playing games. If you are getting lag and fps drops in games, here’s a complete guide onhow to fix stuttering issues. Problems are more likely to occur when your graphics card is working hard. If you suspect there is a fault with your video card’s memory it would be a good idea to test it and help determine if you need to replace or return your card.
Here are six free tools that can help you test the memory of your video card. They were tested with and work in Windows 10 and 7.
1.OCCT
OCCT is a well known testing tool that is able to stress multiple parts of the system like CPU, video card and power supply. It does also have a dedicated option specifically for stress testing video card memory. There is a more general GPU stress testing feature available for testing other areas of video card stability. The OCCT memory test is OpenCL based and can run on pretty much any video card.
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/occt_memtest.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (1)")
After running the program, click on Memtest neat the bottom. Select the video card from the drop down if you have more than one card in the system, then press the big red play button. If any errors are detected, the program will log and display them. OCCT is portable so it doesn’t need to be installed.
Download OCCT
2. GpuMemTest
GpuMemTest is a simple tool to run a number of tests on your video card’s memory. It aims to put stress on the VRAM as well as the memory controller by running a number of test patterns. The tests include sequential, random, alternating read and write, block copy, random data, and sparse inversions.
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (2)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gpumemtest.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (2)")
After install, you only really need to run GpuMemTest and press the Run Test button. The drop down boxes don’t really need touching unless you have a multi GPU set up. A total of eight tests are performed with four to fourteen passes each. Although the website suggests this is only for NVidia video cards, GpuMemTest should work with AMD cards as well because it uses OpenCL (Open Computing Language) for testing.
Download GpuMemTest
3. FurMark
While FurMark doesn’t specifically scan for memory errors, it does run a demanding test that will stress the video card and its memory. Because of that, it could show errors that the video card’s RAM produces. FurMark has been around for many years and is a popular tool to stress test the graphics card for stability when it’s being overclocked. It’s an OpenGL based test and should run on most video cards.
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (3)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/furmark.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (3)")
After downloading and installing FurMark, run the program, select the test resolution you want and then Press GPU stress test. Run the test for several minutes and watch for any artifacts during the testing. The very useful GPU-Z and GPU Shark video card information tools are also included.
Download FurMark
4. MSI Kombustor / EVGA OC Scanner X / FurMark Asus ROG Edition
Besides the standard FurMark, there are three other versions made specifically for video card manufacturers MSI, EVGA, and Asus. These versions are customized and have a few differences from the original FurMark. They each have their own user interface skins, some of the tests have company branding, they include Vulkan based tests but they don’t include the GPU-Z tool (EVGA OC Scanner has the NV-Z tool from 2014).
The ROG edition has a useful GLmem tool to check video card memory usage and a floating hardware monitor window. All three programs have custom tests where you can force them to use more VRAM than normal. The MSI and Asus tools can run a test that uses up to an extra 6500MB so most VRAM of an 8GB card can be tested. EVGA OC Scanner can only add up to 3072MB of VRAM (enough for up to 4GB cards).
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (4)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/furmark_rog_msi_kombustor.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (4)")
Enabling the Artifact Scanner should help make it easier to pick up errors because they will be automatically detected. The MSI and Asus versions of FurMark are kept up to date while EVGA OC Scanner X dates back to 2014. It also requires a free EVGA.com account to download the tool. A shared login service like BugMeNot has a few logins for EVGA.com that might help.
Download FurMark Asus ROG Edition |MSI Kombustor | EVGA OC Scanner X
5. Video Memory stress Test
Video Memory stress Test is from back in 2008 and by the same developer behind the useful Check Flash USB drive testing utility. This tool allows you to test your video card RAM using one of three different test types; DirectX, CUDA and OpenGL. It looks similar to the system memory tester Memtest86+ and works in a similar way by running a number of predefined patterns to test the memory as thoroughly as possible.
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (5)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/video_memory_stress_test-1.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (5)")
Three testing sets are present which you can run, they are Full, Express 15% or Small which is good for quickly checking of overall memory integrity. A notable issue is the problems scanning on cards with 3GB or more of dedicated memory. It’s also mentioned online that the CD/floppy version can only read 512MB of video card memory.
It may also fail when trying run tests in 24-bit or 32-bit color display modes, run the vmt.loader.bat in the folder to configure your own set of tests. Because of its age, Video Memory stress Test is probably best suited to older video cards or lower end cards with 1GB/2GB of VRAM.
Download Video Memory Stress Test | Download CD/floppy version
6. MemtestG80/MemTestCL
These two utilities have been grouped together because they have subtle differences but are essentially the same. MemtestG80 will test Nvidia graphics cards that are CUDA enabled (2007 and newer) while MemtestCL tests cards that support OpenCL. Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and any other video cards should be compatible with MemtestCL.
Both versions of Memtest are command line based so to configure them from the defaults you will need to add arguments in Command Prompt or a batch file. Running the executable without arguments will perform a default test of scanning the first 128MB on the first card in the system, and run 50 passes. The tests are a mixture of custom patterns and some based on Memtest86 test patterns.
![6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (6)](https://i0.wp.com/whatsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/memtestcl-1.png "6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023] (6)")
To test more memory and/or alter the number of times it runs the test, run the program in Command Prompt and add an argument to the command line:
MemtestCL/MemtestG80 [-gpu #] [amount of GPU RAM to test in MB] [number of tests]
If you have more than one graphics card in the system, use the -gpu option, otherwise, it can be excluded. By default, these tools will ask to send statistics to the [emailprotected] group, you can disable this option through the command line or press n to answer no.An open source version of MemtestCL is available on Github that excludes the data logging options.
Download MemtestG80 | Download MemtestCL
FAQs
6 Free GPU & VRAM Memory Test Tools [Best for 2023]? ›
OCCT is a stability checking tool, free for personal use. It comes with 4 built-in tests aimed at testing CPUs, GPUs and Power supplies. OCCT also monitors temperatures, voltages and fan speed, as well as system constants such as CPU Usage, Memory Usage and FPS (if testing in 3d).
What tool for test GPU memory? ›OCCT is a stability checking tool, free for personal use. It comes with 4 built-in tests aimed at testing CPUs, GPUs and Power supplies. OCCT also monitors temperatures, voltages and fan speed, as well as system constants such as CPU Usage, Memory Usage and FPS (if testing in 3d).
How do I check my CPU RAM and GPU? ›Press CTRL + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click the Performance tab. This tab displays your system's RAM, CPU, GPU, and disk usage, along with network info.
Is GPU VRAM the same as RAM? ›In simplest terms, VRAM is a type of RAM. RAM refers to the computer's general memory. Another type of RAM called synchronous DRAM is what computers rely on to run programs, load an operating system and execute tasks. VRAM is the portion of RAM that is specifically dedicated to processing graphics-related tasks.
How can I test my GPU for free? ›- GPU Benchmark Software Review.
- List of the Best GPU Benchmark Software. Comparison Table of Top Benchmarking Software. #1) Heaven UNIGINE. #2) Novabench. #3) PassMark. #4) 3DMark. #5) Geekbench. #6) MSI AfterBurner. #7) Basemark GPU. #8) Cinebench. #9) HWMonitor.
Find Out What GPU You Have in Windows
You can find out what graphics card you have from the Windows Device Manager. In your PC's Start menu, type "Device Manager," and press Enter to launch the Control Panel. Click the drop-down arrow next to Display adapters, and it should list your GPU right there.
To start, open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by pressing the Windows key + R, then typing dxdiag and pressing Enter. This will open a window with information about your graphics card, including the name and model number. Under the Display tab, you'll see a list of all the graphics features your card supports.
How do I fix my CPU graphics card? ›- Fix 1: Install latest drivers. ...
- Method 2: Check if the graphics card is enabled! ...
- Method 3: Restore BIOS settings to default. ...
- Method 4: Update BIOS. ...
- Method 5:Check power supply to Fix the graphics card not detected error.
In computer architecture, shared graphics memory refers to a design where the graphics chip does not have its own dedicated memory, and instead shares the main system RAM with the CPU and other components.
What is rendering GPU? ›GPU and CPU rendering are two ways of processing the data and calculations needed to create a realistic image from a 3D model. GPU stands for graphics processing unit, and CPU stands for central processing unit. GPU rendering uses the power of your graphics card, while CPU rendering uses the power of your processor.
Does resetting Windows remove GPU drivers? ›
Resetting your PC will remove the drivers you have installed.
How do I reset my graphics card memory? ›You can quickly reset your graphics driver using the Win + Ctrl + Shift + B keyboard combination. This command makes your screen turn black for a second, but it restarts your graphics driver, which can potentially fix any issues you've been having.
How do I free up VRAM on my computer? ›How to Increase VRAM in Windows. The best way to increase your video RAM is to purchase a new or better graphics card. If you're using integrated graphics and suffer from poor performance, upgrading to a dedicated card (even one of the best budget graphics cards) will do wonders for your video output.
How do I see all hardware on my computer? ›To check your PC hardware specs, click on the Windows Start button, then click on Settings (the gear icon). In the Settings menu, click on System. Scroll down and click on About. On this screen, you should see specs for your processor, Memory (RAM), and other system info, including Windows version.
How do I know if my motherboard is bad? ›Common symptoms of motherboard issues are similar to CPU problems: The system does not display anything; an error code appears; one or more beeps occur; the system locks; the system reboots; a Windows BSOD (blue screen of death) appears; or one or more of the ports, expansion slots, or memory modules fails.
What program to check CPU and GPU? ›HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring tool for Windows that monitors computer temperatures, voltages, and fans. The software monitors the hard drive and video card GPU temperature. These metrics give you a strong indication of the overall health of a device.
What is video memory size in BIOS? ›The maximum amount of graphics memory depends on the system BIOS configuration. In most cases, the total does not exceed 128 MB. On some older computers, the system BIOS doesn't limit the graphics memory to 128 MB. You may see maximum graphics memory up to 224 MB.
Where is VRAM located? ›Modern VRAM is found in a BGA package soldered onto the graphics card. Like the GPU itself, the VRAM is cooled by the GPU heatsink.
What graphics card has the most VRAM? ›What is the most powerful GPU for gaming? That would be the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti. It has a whopping 24GB of VRAM, a base clock of 1.67GHz which can be overclocked to 1.86GHz, second-generation ray tracing tech, and third-generation tensor cores. It also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, Nvidia DLSS, and G-Sync VRR.
How do I check if my GPU is corrupted? ›- The Computer Crashes and Won't Reboot. One moment, your graphics card is running the latest graphic-intense game without a single issue. ...
- Graphic Glitches While Playing Games. ...
- Abnormal Fan Noise or Performance.
How do I check my GPU without Device Manager? ›
See what graphics card you have using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Open the Run window (Win + R), type dxdiag and press Enter on your keyboard or click OK. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens. Next, click on the Display tab and, in the Device section, see the Name of the graphics card you're using.
How to test GPU in BIOS? ›Detect My Graphics Card (BIOS)
Navigate through the setup menu using the arrow keys until you find a section such as On-board Devices, Integrated Peripherals, Advanced or Video. Look for a menu that enables or disables graphics card detection. If it's disabled, use the menu to enable it; otherwise leave it alone.
To check if your graphics card is working in Windows 10 or Windows 11 press the 'Windows key + R. ' Then type 'dxdiag' into the box and hit 'enter. ' Choose the 'Display' tab and you'll see information about your graphics card and any issues in the 'Notes' section.
How do I update my graphics driver? ›Open the Windows menu and type the phrase device manager. Open the Device Manager from the results. Click Display adapters in the drop-down menu, right-click on your GPU, and select Properties. Navigate to the Driver tab and click Update Driver.
How do you test if a GPU is fried? ›Plug your display cable to the MoBo, then pull put your GPU. If the system works, your Graphics Card is most likely fried. You can try to attach other PCI-E cards to it's slot, something sacrafical but functional. If the PC recognizes and uses it, your GPU is 100% dead.
How can I check if my graphics card is working properly? ›Open Windows' Control Panel, click "System and Security" and then click "Device Manager." Open the "Display Adapters" section, double click on the name of your graphics card and then look for whatever information is under "Device status." This area will typically say, "This device is working properly." If it does not ...
How do I know if my GPU is strong? ›There are many factors that dictate the performance of a GPU, but an easy place to start is with how many processing cores, called “CUDA cores” or “RTX cores,” an Nvidia GPU offers. This is usually a good indicator of its performance capabilities.
How to fix GPU with BIOS? ›- Restart your PC.
- As the system's rebooting, Press “Del” on your keyboard to enter the BIOS setting.
- Once you are in on your “BIOS Menu,” click “Peripherals” and press “Enter.”
- Find the “Initial Display Output” and press “Enter.”
- Select your “PCI” slot where your GPU installed.
Restart your computer and push your BIOS key repeatedly as the system boots up. Find a menu called “Video Settings,” “Graphics Settings,” or “VGA Share Memory Size” under “Advanced.” Increase the pre-allocated VRAM. Save the changes and restart your PC again.
What is shared memory in BIOS? ›The VGA Share Memory Size BIOS feature controls the amount of system memory that is allocated to the integrated graphics processor when the system boots up. However, its effect depends on whether your motherboard supports the older Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) or the newer Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT).
What is dedicated graphics card? ›
What is a dedicated graphics card? A dedicated graphics card is a wholly separate processor from the CPU and has its own dedicated memory. Dedicated graphics cards deliver better performance but use more power, cost more money, and they're found more commonly in desktops than laptops.
What does disable HW overlays do? ›Disable HW overlays: Disables the hardware overlay. Note that using the hardware overlay lets apps that display something on the screen use less processing power. Without the overlay, apps share the video memory and have to constantly check for collision and clipping to render a proper image.
What is debug GPU overdraw? ›Visualize GPU overdraw
Overdraw occurs when your app draws the same pixel more than once within the same frame. So this visualization shows where your app might be doing more rendering work than necessary, which can be a performance problem due to extra GPU effort to render pixels that won't be visible to the user.
Software rendering is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. In the context of computer graphics rendering, software rendering refers to a rendering process that is not dependent upon graphics hardware ASICs, such as a graphics card. The rendering takes place entirely in the CPU.
What key resets GPU drivers? ›The most straightforward way to reset the graphics card driver on Windows is by using the keyboard shortcut. For that, use the key combination Win + Ctrl + Shift + B. This key combination would instantly refresh your graphics driver on your Windows system.
What does factory reset GPU do? ›The Factory Reset option allows the user to quickly restore Radeon™ Software back to default values and settings. To perform a factory reset, follow the steps below: Right-click on the Desktop and select AMD Radeon Software. In Radeon™ Software, click on the Gear icon then select System from the sub-menu.
What is the Windows key for resetting GPU? ›Resetting Graphics Card or GPU
When that happens, the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B) explained above should get everything working.
Press ⊞ Win + Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + B .
This is by far the easiest way to reset your graphics drivers. Simply press the Windows Key, plus Shift, Ctrl, an B at the same time. You will hear a beep and your screen will flash quickly. This indicates your graphics drivers have been reset.
No it does not. Contrary to popular belief a factory reset does not completely wipe all data from your Android device. When you do a factory reset, the system does not remove your Google account or any other accounts you have added. Additionally, any files stored on the SD card are not affected.
How to overclock my GPU? ›How to safely overclock your GPU? To safely overclock your GPU, increase the clock rate at increments of 10 MHz, and test your system for stability and performance after each adjustment. If your system struggles, lower your overclock by 10 or 20 MHz, then test again.
How many GB should a graphics card have? ›
We recommend a graphics card with at least 6-8GB of VRAM and a decent amount of processing power for editing 1080p or 2160p footage on a Full-HD timeline.
How do I check my dedicated graphics memory? ›Select Screen Resolution. Select Advanced Settings. Click the Adapter tab if not already selected. The amount of Total Available Graphics Memory and Dedicated Video Memory available on your system is displayed.
Is VRAM in your GPU? ›Video RAM (or VRAM, pronounced "VEE-ram") is a special type of RAM that works with your computer's graphics processing unit, or GPU. The GPU is a chip on your computer's graphics card (also called the video card) that's responsible for displaying images on your screen.
Where is GPU VRAM located? ›Modern VRAM is found in a BGA package soldered onto the graphics card. Like the GPU itself, the VRAM is cooled by the GPU heatsink.
Is VRAM located on GPU? ›VRAM is something that physically exists on your GPU, so you can't increase your VRAM without changing your GPU. However, you can do some things to make sure your PC is making the most of the VRAM available to it.
How do I check which GPU I have? ›You can find out what graphics card you have from the Windows Device Manager. In your PC's Start menu, type "Device Manager," and press Enter to launch the Control Panel. Click the drop-down arrow next to Display adapters, and it should list your GPU right there.
What is a good GPU memory size? ›According to Nvidia's Professional Solution Guide, modern GPUs equipped with 8GB to 12GB of VRAM are necessary for meeting minimum requirements. However, you can probably get away with less VRAM. Adobe Premiere Pro's minimum requirement for VRAM is 2GB, and 4GB to 6GB is recommended.
How much VRAM is good for gaming? ›For high refresh rate 1080p and 1440p gaming, we recommend buying a current or last-gen GPU with at least 8GB of VRAM. You can run games just fine with 6GB of VRAM, but with memory consumption increasing with every new game released, it's best to get something stronger from the start to remain futureproof.
Does a CPU have VRAM? ›While regular RAM reads and stores data for the CPU, VRAM completes the same job for your GPU. Generally, the more VRAM a system has, the faster it performs because it doesn't need to rely on the computer's RAM or processor as much. Essentially, it's a buffer between the CPU and your display.
What is GPU VRAM used for? ›What Is VRAM Used for? Similar to system RAM, Video Random Access Memory (VRAM) stores graphics data so that the GPU can access it, fast, allowing you to see visuals on your computer screen.
How much GPU do I need? ›
For general use, a GPU with 2GB is more than adequate, but gamers and creative pros should aim for at least 4GB of GPU RAM. The amount of memory you need in a graphics card ultimately depends on what resolution you want to run games, as well as the games themselves.
What is a GPU processor? ›Graphics processing unit, a specialized processor originally designed to accelerate graphics rendering. GPUs can process many pieces of data simultaneously, making them useful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications.
How do I know if my graphics card is installed? ›Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to check graphic card in laptop
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Enter dxdiag, press Enter, and if prompted, click Yes to continue. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens and lists your graphics card under the Display tab.
Open Windows' Control Panel, click "System and Security" and then click "Device Manager." Open the "Display Adapters" section, double click on the name of your graphics card and then look for whatever information is under "Device status." This area will typically say, "This device is working properly." If it does not ...