How to Check VRAM on Windows 11

Want to know how to check VRAM on Windows 11?

While some users may consider the computer’s RAM to be the only component associated with the PC’s storage and memory, it’d be a surprise to discover the role that VRAM plays. Random Access Memory or RAM is used to store data and manage CPU-bound resources, and VRAM determines the performance of your PC during graphics-intensive tasks.

VRAM holds a special portion of your computer’s RAM that helps it perform efficiently, especially when creating motion graphics, playing video games, 3D Modeling, etc. So, if you’re looking to get into such tasks or want to know why your PC performance is lagging when executing such tasks, you need to check the VRAM as it may be responsible.

This guide has mentioned several methods below that will walk you through the steps in detail. So, carefully follow any method to find out how much VRAM your computer possesses.

Let’s get right into it!

1. Check VRAM By Windows Settings. 

As mentioned earlier, knowing your computer’s VRAM can help you determine why you may be experiencing poor performance when executing tasks related to graphics. Thankfully, to check VRAM on Windows 11, you don’t need to install any third-party application.

Windows Settings provide you with easy access to all information related to your system. Simply follow the steps below to find out how much VRAM is available on your PC:

  1. Start by opening the Windows Settings from the Start Menu or simply press Windows + i.
  2. Once there, select System from the left pane.
  3. From the right side of the screen, click Display.
windows settings
  1. Then, scroll down and click on Advanced Display under Related settings.
display settings
  1. Below the Display information section, select Display adapter properties for Display 1.
advanced display settings
  1. From the window that pops up, look for the Dedicated Video Memory label. Your current VRAM capacity will be stated right next to it.
Check VRAM on Windows 11

2. Use the Task Manager to Check VRAM on Windows 11.

Another option to quickly check VRAM on Windows 11 is through the Task Manager. It is a system monitor and manager of ongoing and startup tasks. Through it, you can also check your PC’s performance, speed, memory, and so on.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. First, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
  2. From there, on the sidebar, click on Performance.
  3. Then, select GPU 1 to view the performance stats of your GPU.
performance tab
  1. Right below Dedicated GPU Memory, you will be shown the available VRAM capacity.
Check VRAM on Windows 11

This will help you determine whether low GPU storage is the primary cause behind any performance issue you might be facing.

3. Through DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

One default diagnostic tool on Windows 11 is called the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. It is used to check the system’s functionality and troubleshoot audio and video-related hardware faults. You can generate a diagnostic report file with insights into the system’s graphics, sounds, and other devices.

Here’s how to launch and use the tool on Windows 11:

  1. Launch Run by pressing Windows + R from your keyboard.
  2. Next, type dxdiag in the dialogue box that opens.
run command box
  1. Click OK or press the Enter key.
  2. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open in a new window.
  3. At the very top of the window, click on the Display tab.
  4. Under the Device section, you will find Display Memory (VRAM), and the VRAM capacity will be listed next to it.
directx diagnostic tool

4. Use the OEM Control Panel.

For all the dedicated GPUs, you get a specified OEM Control Panel through which you can monitor and manage their performance and settings. The utility also displays detailed information regarding the GPU specifications, including the VRAM capacity. Now depending on your OEM, there are different sets of instructions that you’ll need to follow.

These are the steps you need to follow if you own NVIDIA:

  1. First, press Shift and Right-click on your desktop.
  2. From there, click on the Nvidia Control Panel.
Check VRAM on Windows 11
  1. On the window that pops up, select System Information from the left pane.
NVDIA control panel
  1. Then, scroll down the Details section until you locate Dedicated video memory. The VRAM capacity will appear on its right side.
Check VRAM on Windows 11

If, on the other hand, you own an AMD card instead, you’ll get two different utilities depending on its model. Now, follow either of the two instruction sets below according to the software currently installed on your PC.

For Radeon Software: 

  1. Press Shift and Right-click on your desktop.
  2. Next, select AMD Radeon Software.
Check VRAM on Windows 11
  1. Once the window opens, click on the Gear icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Then, select System. You will be able to see your GPU model along with its VRAM capacity.
AMD radeon software

For AMD Catalyst Center:

  1. Anywhere on your desktop, Right-click and press Shift.
  2. Then, select AMD Catalyst Control Center.
  3. On the window that opens, click Information on the left sidebar and choose Hardware
  4. The screen will display the details of the current graphics card installed on your system. Look for the value Memory Size. This is your VRAM capacity.

5. Use Third-Party Software.  

Although Microsoft provides you with default options to check VRAM on Windows 11, nobody stops you from utilizing a third-party tool for the same purpose. In fact, many users prefer a non-default program as they provide you with ease of use and a friendly user interface. 

While there are many third-party programs you can choose from, you should always go for one that’s reliable and trustworthy such as CPU-Z. Follow the steps below to learn how to install and use the software:

  1. First, download and install CPU-Z on your PC.
  2. Then, launch the software on your computer.
  3. Once the app opens, click on the Graphics tab on the top.
  4. Under the Memory section, next to the Size label, you will see your VRAM capacity. 
CPU Z graphcs tab

That was it! Here we end our guide on how to Check VRAM on Windows 11. If you figure that your PC is low on VRAM capacity, waste no time in taking the necessary measures to deal with the issue, as your system performance would be compromised otherwise. For further queries, head to the comment section. We’ll respond to it as soon as possible.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 😊

Author

  • Aimen Choudhry

    Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.

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