Windows 8.1 x64 - Low memory while playing full screen games

Anonymous
2013-12-01T18:38:14+00:00

Info: This bug was fixed on August 12th 2014 with the release of the month's Patch Tuesday. Make sure to install every update available for your system, if you're having the problem described on this thread.


Hello, I've been facing a "tough" problem with my computer running Windows 8.1 x64. I did not upgrade from Windows 8, I did a clean install and for the past month, everytime I play some of the new 2013 games (Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Battlefield 4, CoD:Ghosts etc.), I'm constantly getting a "low memory" warning from time to time. 

So, giving that my laptop is capable of running these games (Asus N56VZ - Intel Core i7, Intel HD 4000 + Nvidia GT650 M, 6GB DDR3, 750GB 7200rpm, Full-HD 15,6" screen), I began searching for an answer. Here's what I've concluded:

When the game (eg: Battlefield 4) opens, the memory consumption begins to rise, and rise, and rise, non stop, until the system doesn't have more memory available and triggers the low memory warning. However, in the exact moment that I "alt+tab" out of game OR the memory warning does it for me, all of the occupied memory is emptied instantly, like magic!

I was able to "understand" this using Process Explorer by MS (sysinternals), heres a screenshot that shows the "climbing" and the sudden drops:

http://prntscr.com/2809xc

I cant really discover where all this memory is being allocated/used, and I have no idea on whats causing this. I also don't know if this is Windows-related, device-related or driver-related.

Is anyone facing this as well? 

[UPDATE DECEMBER 9th] This issue is triggered when the resolution in which the games are being played differs from the resolution configured on Windows.

If you are playing a game, say, in 1366x768, you need to change the system resolution to the same 1366x768 BEFORE opening the game. That will stop the excessive memory consumption and you'll be able to play the game fine.

My system is in Portuguese, but I think it's easy to get it:

This also concludes that the issue is Windows-related and not driver related, so we'll have to wait for Microsoft to patch it. Meanwhile, remember to change your resolution when you're going to play.

[UPDATE APRIL 26th 2014]

According to some Intel folks at communities.intel.com (http://is.gd/71Vha2), Microsoft has confirmed the issue with Windows 8.1 in an internal email. It resides - as it was explained - on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) which triggers a memory leak when running fullscreen games with a resolution different than the desktop resolution.

The memory leak fills the system memory and page file with junk until there's no more memory available.

We assume Microsoft is already working on a fix for this, altough we never heard anything "official" from them regarding the issue. 

[UPDATE AUGUST 14th 2014]

The problem has been finally fixed by Microsoft with the release of the August updates on Aug. 12th.

Make sure to install every single update available - including the optional ones - and you'll no longer receive low-memory warnings when running fullscreen games/apps with different resolution/refresh rate.

Also make sure you're using the latest drivers available for your Intel and/or Nvidia GPU (it might be important).

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Gaming

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2014-08-13T05:04:19+00:00

I might be a bit cynical but I looked through all the support KB's from the updates today and couldn't find anything that related to fixing this issue (unless I'm missing something)...

Yesterday i have made the update and i found via the link also no description, but...

Yah!, after nearly 10 months, microsoft have now solved this bug.

With the latest patches (Patch Day 12.08.2014, also install the optional Updates),

all different resolutions and framerates works well.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-07T13:39:13+00:00

    Hi,

    Here's the Windows x64 version;

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/jr7pi8jngrrgn1v/9.17.10.2875\_win64.rar

    I have the 32bit version too if anyone needs it.

    Hope they help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-07T13:06:42+00:00

    Hey Guys, I've been following this thread for a bit because I have same problems.  I wanted to add some info and request if anyone could either send me a link, or willing to upload and send me a working intel 9.17.10.2875 Driver? 

    Before upgrade      Win 8.0         Intel 4600 Driver: v10.18.10.3379

    After Upgrade         Win 8.1         Intel 4600 Driver: v10.18.10.3379

    Attempted               Win 8.1         Intel 4600 Driver: v9.18.10.3071

    Need                         Win 8.1         Intel 4600 Driver: v9.17.10.2875

    The earliest driver for my computer which i purchased over summer 2013 is 9.18.10.3071 (dated 3/19/2013) and it still has memory spike/ leakage problems.  When I do a cmd "dxdiag" The 9.18.10.3071 lists DirectX versions UP TO 11.1  BUT NOT 11.2 .  If that's true - and I'm still memory leaking like crazy - then is it a 11.2 problem??  Because here's the thing - When I was running Win 8.0 --I had been running the latest Intel Driver: v10.18.10.3379... which though I can't test dxdiag (now that I've upgraded to win 8.1 and changed drivers), people have said has DX 11.2.

    I've looked for 2875 driver but cannot find any. Does anyone know how I can obtain it, or would anyone be willing send me theirs?

    I've went ahead and sent an email to Microsoft, thinking of sending one to Intel as well. If someone could help me out - I'll name my firstborn after you. 

    ******@gmail.com

    My rig: HP Envy 17t-j000 Quad, i7-4702MQ, Intel HD 4600, Nvidia Geforce GT 740M (9.18.13.3221).  Upgraded Win 8 pro 64bit--->Win 8.1 pro 64bit

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-05T18:09:11+00:00

    haha!

    see?

    who says microsoft arent reading these threads?

    thats the reason i logged on to this thread and comments using this laptop and not using TOR.

    i've been expecting this reaction. i let the internet open for a few moments.

    so, actually what kind of ethics really does microsoft use in respect to the consumers's privacies?

    anti-trust it is.

    im still going to convert my other laptop to maverick.

    while i downloads stuff using windows. XD

    im watching microsoft.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-05T17:21:18+00:00

    Good to hear this! Remember to disable automatic updates in Windows otherwise you will have the same problem back again in short time...

    Bye,

    S.

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