Silicon maker AMD has introduced a new feature called Variable Graphics Memory (VGM). VGM will let users dedicate a portion of the system’s RAM as dedicated video memory without diving into BIOS settings. Currently, this feature is exclusively available on AMD AI 300 “Strix Point” laptops.
With this upgrade, users will be able to experience enhanced graphics performance as up to 75% of the system memory will be converted into VRAM through AMD’s Adrenalin app. The amount of RAM you can dedicate to VRAM depends on your system’s total memory. To give you some context, a 32GB laptop originally equipped with 512MB of video memory can be transformed into a 24GB laptop with 8GB of dedicated VRAM using the “medium” setting.
If you play games like Alan Wake 11, which needs a good amount of VRAM, then this is very useful. Initial tests have shown mixed results. When tested on an Asus Zenbook S 16, one of the first Strix Point laptops to feature this capability, activating VGM increased performance in some games. However, other titles saw minimal improvement or even slight performance drops. So this means that the benefits of VGM will defer from game to game.
In addition to VGM, AMD is also launching Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2) for Strix Point laptops. Previously we saw this feature on desktop GPUs. It uses AI to generate new frames and reduce jitter and lag. It also promises a boost in frame rate. AMD claims that a laptop achieving 39fps in Horizon Zero Dawn could potentially reach a smooth 66fps when you combine VGM, AFMF 2, and AMD’s FSR upscaling technology.
Along with all of this, AMD announced the RX 7800M, a new 12GB video memory chip for laptops.