How to Check VRAM in Windows 10: Simple Steps to Monitor Your GPU Memory

By / November 9, 2025

If your computer starts lagging during games, video editing, or graphic-heavy tasks, the culprit might be your VRAM — the Video RAM that fuels your graphics performance. But how do you check how much VRAM you actually have on Windows 10? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to check VRAM in Windows 10, understand what it means, why it matters, and how to upgrade or optimize it if needed. Whether you’re a gamer, designer, or just a curious PC user, this guide will walk you through everything in a simple, beginner-friendly way.

What Is VRAM?

VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) is a special type of memory that your graphics card (GPU) uses to store image data — textures, shaders, and frame buffers — while rendering visuals on your screen.

Think of VRAM as your graphics card’s workspace. The more VRAM you have, the better your GPU can handle high-resolution images, complex 3D graphics, and multiple monitors simultaneously.

2. Why Is VRAM Important?

If you play modern games, edit 4K videos, or use design tools like Adobe Premiere or Blender, VRAM plays a major role in performance.

Here’s why it matters:

  • Smooth gaming experience: Higher VRAM prevents texture pop-ins and stutters.

  • Better rendering: Applications load and display visuals faster.

  • Supports higher resolutions: Essential for 1440p or 4K gaming.

  • Multi-display setups: Handles multiple monitors efficiently.

In short — more VRAM = better visual performance.

3. How to Check VRAM in Windows 10 — Overview

There are multiple ways to find out how much VRAM your system has. Here’s a quick overview before we dive into each:

Method Tool/Path Difficulty Accuracy
Display Settings Built-in Windows option Easy Moderate
DirectX Diagnostic Tool dxdiag command Easy High
Task Manager GPU tab Easy High
GPU-Z Third-party app Medium Very High
BIOS Startup menu Advanced High
Third-Party Tools e.g., Speccy, HWiNFO Medium High

Let’s go step by step through each method.

4. Method 1: Check VRAM via Display Settings

This is the simplest way to view your dedicated VRAM without installing anything.

Steps:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.

  2. Scroll down and click Advanced Display Settings.

  3. Under Display Information, click Display Adapter Properties.

  4. In the pop-up window, check the Adapter tab.

  5. Look for Dedicated Video Memory — that’s your VRAM amount.

You’ll also see Shared System Memory, which your GPU borrows from regular RAM if it needs extra space.

5. Method 2: Check VRAM Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool is built into Windows and provides a detailed look at your graphics information.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type dxdiag and hit Enter.

  3. Wait for the tool to load, then switch to the Display tab.

  4. Under Device, look for Display Memory (VRAM).

This method shows accurate VRAM readings for integrated and dedicated GPUs.

💡 Pro tip: If you have multiple GPUs (e.g., Intel + NVIDIA), check both Display 1 and Display 2 tabs.

6. Method 3: Check VRAM in Task Manager

Windows 10’s Task Manager now includes a dedicated GPU performance section.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager.

  2. Click the Performance tab.

  3. Select your GPU from the sidebar.

  4. You’ll see graphs showing GPU usage, temperature, and memory usage.

Hover over Dedicated GPU memory — this indicates how much VRAM your GPU currently has and how much is being used.

This view is excellent for real-time monitoring during gaming or rendering.

7. Method 4: Use GPU-Z to Check VRAM Details

For more in-depth data, use GPU-Z, a free and lightweight tool.

Steps:

  1. Download GPU-Z from TechPowerUp.

  2. Run the executable (no installation needed).

  3. On the Graphics Card tab, look for:

    • Memory Size: Total VRAM.

    • Memory Type: GDDR5, GDDR6, etc.

    • Bus Width: Memory bandwidth information.

GPU-Z gives you the most technical and accurate VRAM info, great for enthusiasts and professionals.

8. Method 5: Check VRAM via BIOS (Advanced Users)

You can also check VRAM allocation through the system BIOS.

Steps:

  1. Restart your PC.

  2. Press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or DEL) to enter BIOS.

  3. Navigate to the Advanced, Chipset, or Video Configuration tab.

  4. Look for Video Memory or IGPU Memory settings.

You’ll see the allocated VRAM for integrated graphics (like Intel UHD or AMD Vega).
(Note: This won’t show dedicated GPU VRAM from cards like NVIDIA or AMD.)

9. Method 6: Check VRAM Using Third-Party Tools

Other reliable apps to check VRAM include:

  • Speccy – Simple overview of all hardware specs.

  • HWiNFO – Comprehensive, professional-grade monitoring.

  • MSI Afterburner – Popular among gamers for real-time VRAM usage monitoring.

These tools are great if you want detailed logs, temperature readings, and performance stats.

10. How to Check Dedicated vs Shared VRAM

Windows often shows two types of GPU memory:

Type Description
Dedicated VRAM Physical memory on your graphics card (cannot be changed manually).
Shared System Memory Portion of regular RAM temporarily used by your GPU.

You can view both using the Display Adapter Properties method (Method 1).

Dedicated memory is what truly determines performance — shared memory only helps a little when VRAM runs out.

11. What to Do If You Have Low VRAM

If your games or apps show errors like “Out of Video Memory,” you’re running low on VRAM.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Lower resolution (e.g., 4K → 1080p).

  • Reduce texture quality in games.

  • Close background apps that use GPU.

  • Update GPU drivers for better memory management.

  • Upgrade your graphics card if possible.

You can also increase shared VRAM through BIOS or Windows registry tweaks (explained next).

12. How to Increase VRAM on Windows 10

While you can’t physically add VRAM to your GPU, you can allocate more shared memory.

Option 1: Through BIOS

  1. Enter BIOS at startup.

  2. Locate Advanced > Graphics Settings.

  3. Find DVMT Pre-Allocated or IGPU Memory.

  4. Increase the value (e.g., from 128MB → 512MB).

  5. Save and exit.

Option 2: Through Registry Editor

⚠️ Be careful — incorrect registry edits can cause system issues.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Intel

  3. Right-click the Intel folder → New → Key, name it GMM.

  4. Inside GMM, right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) → name it DedicatedSegmentSize.

  5. Set its Value Data to any number between 512 and 1024 (in MB).

  6. Restart your computer.

This trick increases shared VRAM for integrated GPUs.

13. Common Mistakes When Checking VRAM

Here are some common errors to avoid:

❌ Confusing VRAM with RAM — they are not the same.
❌ Checking only one GPU — laptops often have two (integrated + dedicated).
❌ Ignoring shared memory — it impacts performance slightly.
❌ Assuming you can upgrade VRAM physically — you can’t unless you change the GPU.

14. How Much VRAM Do You Really Need?

It depends on what you do. Here’s a quick guide:

Usage Type Recommended VRAM
Basic tasks (browsing, HD video) 2GB
Casual gaming 4GB
Modern AAA games (1080p) 6GB–8GB
1440p gaming / 4K editing 8GB–12GB
3D rendering / VR / AI tasks 12GB+

If your VRAM is lower than your workload demands, you’ll notice lags, frame drops, or visual artifacts.

15. Troubleshooting: Why Is My VRAM Not Showing Correctly?

If Windows doesn’t show the correct VRAM:

  • Update GPU drivers (use NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin).

  • Check BIOS settings — integrated GPUs may have dynamic memory allocation.

  • Ensure proper GPU detection in Device Manager.

  • Reseat your GPU if using a desktop PC.

  • Reinstall DirectX if the diagnostic tool misreports memory.

16. Conclusion: Keep Your GPU in Check

And that’s it — now you know how to check VRAM in Windows 10 using multiple methods, from built-in tools to advanced software.

Monitoring your VRAM is essential for optimizing performance, preventing stuttering, and ensuring your system runs smoothly during demanding tasks.

So the next time your game lags or your video editor slows down, check your VRAM first — it might be time for an upgrade!

17. FAQs

1. What is a good VRAM amount for gaming?

For most modern games, 6GB to 8GB of VRAM is ideal. 4GB may suffice for older titles.

2. Can I increase VRAM without buying a new GPU?

You can only increase shared VRAM via BIOS or Registry tweaks — not physical VRAM.

3. Does VRAM affect FPS?

Yes. Insufficient VRAM causes stuttering and frame drops, especially in high-resolution gaming.

4. How can I check VRAM on a laptop?

Follow the same methods — Display Settings or dxdiag work perfectly on laptops too.

5. Why is my VRAM usage so high?

Running high-resolution textures, multiple monitors, or 4K videos consumes more VRAM. Lowering quality settings can help.

18. Summary & Key Takeaways

✅ VRAM is your GPU’s dedicated memory for handling graphics.
✅ You can check VRAM in Windows 10 via:

  • Display Settings

  • DirectX Diagnostic Tool

  • Task Manager

  • GPU-Z or other third-party tools
    ✅ Dedicated VRAM = actual GPU memory; Shared memory = borrowed from RAM.
    ✅ Low VRAM causes performance issues — upgrade GPU or allocate more shared memory.
    ✅ For gaming and creative work, aim for at least 6–8GB VRAM.

By keeping an eye on your VRAM usage, you’ll ensure smoother performance and a longer-lasting PC experience.

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