Intel Iris XE - 128VRAM - Registry edit not working. HP UEFI setting ignored

[penguinpages]

I transitioned to a new laptop:

HP Zbook Firefly 15 G8 

32GB RAM

Windows 11

Driver  Iris Xe  5/13/2022 30.0.101.1994

I don't play super high rez games, but I would like to do some gaming on occasion.  

Issue: VRAM from DirectX displays 128MB RAM which the game company uses and so stops it from running properly.

I have tracked many forums on this thread... and I have made the registry change:

1) Create Key:   \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\"GMM"  (folder)

2) Create Value: Type: 32bit DWORD, Name: "DedicagedSegmentSize"  Decimal Value "512"

I have also boot UEFI and changed value from 128 to 512 (max setting).

DirectX Diag still showing no change.   There are other conversations about tools that can adjust VRAM but they are not on sites I would trust.. and I think they are just doing above two steps.  

I have contacted the game vendor but they are pushing back this is a Intel driver issue... and yes... I posted that this was noted by Intel as NOT being there issue.. but not seeing that being redressed by vendor.

I don't want to or care to get into finger pointing between development teams, I just need a means to get this fixed.

Question

1) Why does the Intel Iris driver not reflect what is set within UEFI for allocated VRAM?  

2) Why does the registry key setting not effect the Iris driver

If there are debug tools to run or other data collection I can also run those.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello, penguinpages,

Thank you for posting on the Intel️® communities.  

To have a better understanding of your issue, please provide me with the following:

• What is the name of the game you are experiencing issues with?
• What is the issue exactly, does the game crash? Does it run but with low performance?
• When did the issue start? Does the game run properly before?
• Do you receive any error messages? If so, please provide me with a screenshot of it.
• Create a report using the Intel®️ System Support Utility (Intel®️ SSU)  
  • Download the Intel SSU (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18377/25293/intel-system-support-utility-for-windows.html)
  • Open the application and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel®️ SSU will take you to the "Summary View." 
  • Click on the menu where it says: "Summary" to change it to "Detailed View." 
  • To save your scan: click on "Next"; then "Save." 

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[penguinpages]

Thanks for response:

• What is the name of the game you are experiencing issues with?  -> Dungeons and dragons online Standing Stone engine that runs many games
• What is the issue exactly, does the game crash? Not directly. Splash screen loads and hangs. Support notes this as issue with video card not having suffient RAM (Stand Stone Support tickets 238891  and 248001) 
  •  Does it run but with low performance?  No.. never gets past loading first few splash screens.
• When did the issue start? New Intel Laptop. Old laptop Windows 11 ran fine HP ZBook 15u G6.  New  HP Zbook Firefly 15 G8 does not work
  • Does the game run properly before? Never on Intel Iris XE chipset
• Do you receive any error messages? If so, please provide me with a screenshot of it.  I can.. it would be just a still shot of game loading screen.. not much help.

Attached is run of SSU diagnostics.  PS: Someone needs to fix / review that tool. target URL for "Submit" post collection is servicerequestmgmt.intel.com  but that is no longer a valid URL.

Thanks for help

[Jean_Intel]

Hello penguinpages,

I appreciate the information provided.

There is no way to preset your VRAM to a specific value. You can only limit the maximum memory that it can take. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) does not have a dedicated memory; it uses shared memory that will be allocated automatically depending on various factors. The option to adjust the maximum memory is usually available in the BIOS, but the setting may not be available for all systems.

If you want to confirm the amount of graphics memory your computer has, try the following:

• Switch to the Windows* Desktop
• Right-click on a blank area of the desktop and select Display settings
• Click Advanced display settings
• Click Display adapter properties.
• The total available graphics memory is listed on the Adapter tab under Adapter Information.

The actual maximum graphics memory limit reported by Windows can vary. The memory limit is dependent on non-Intel-controlled factors—for example, available system memory, BIOS, or system settings. For more detail on how Windows handles memory management, see Microsoft documentation for Graphics Memory Reporting through WDD.

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[penguinpages]

I did make changes in UEFI (BIOS) and set it to 512GB (see below attached image) but the Chipset / driver is ignoring this.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello penguinpages,

I understand that you made changes to changes on the BIOS settings; however, keep in mind that it is a BIOS option that I am not entirely sure of what it does. That's why I recommend you check the amount of graphics memory your computer has using the steps provided in my previous post. 

Also, I want to confirm why you state that the Chipset/driver is ignoring your BIOS setting. Are you confirming that the video memory is not 512GB?

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[penguinpages]

Are you confirming that the video memory is not 512GB? 

Correct:  Base system noted 128MB and so I bumped it to 512MB .. which is the maximum from memory options within UEFI.

Images of screenshot per your previous note. I just assumed dxdiag as well as SSU export made it clear the graphics allocated memory is 128MB.

[penguinpages]

Game vendor just replied and again closed ticket that this is issue with Intel graphics card  

##########

 (Standing Stone Games Help)

Jul 27, 2022, 9:33 AM PDT

Greetings,
 
Thank you for your reply. Your current graphics card does not have enough dedicated memory to run DDO. Unfortunately we are not able to provide further troubleshooting as your device does not meet the minimum requirements. If you have any further questions concerning your graphics card, then I would suggest to contact Intel directly.
 
Kind regards,

Customer Support
Standing Stone Game

[n_scott_pearson]

Let's clear this up once and for all.

1. Settings in BIOS are not transferred to runtime.
2. No runtime registry settings are available to change the minimum allocation.
3. Any game that will not work (especially because of an absolutely silly test like this) has a major bug in it. They need to fix it. Their game will not work with any Intel iGFX solution released in the past 4 years (i.e. 7th gen processors and release of DCH-architected GFX drivers).

My opinion is my own, not Intel's, but these are the facts.

...S

[Jean_Intel]

Hello penguinpages,

I hope you are doing fine.

I have not heard back from you. So we will close this thread. If you need any additional information, submit a new question, as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards.

Jean O. 

Intel Customer Support Technician.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello penguinpages,

As my last comment, Keep in mind that the Integrated GPU shares your normal system RAM instead of using its own dedicated VRAM, so maybe they can provide you with steps on how to increase the it, maybe a list of compatible RAM with higher capasity.

Best regards.

Jean O. 

Intel Customer Support Technician.

[Bernhardt]

Removed my reply after doing some digging on the topic.

[penguinpages]

Thanks for the responses.  I really do appreciate the responses and candid details.  

I contacted Standing Stone and they are saying this is a hardware / driver issue. That DirectX reports the memory they address and so until I fix what DirectX diag reports, the game will not be able to function. 

It is just disappointing that a nice new shinny laptop... 3 x performance in CPU and RAM than old one.. can not run this kind of older game for when I want to just relax and play something.  Really wish there was a means to get directX to report back, even if false, what UEFI has set, or some random number that then gets past this error.  Even if it is a hack around software game code not properly using standards published for modern coding.