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
    2014-02-23T04:40:35+00:00

    I submitted this entire thread as well as significant technical specs to INTEL's graphics department.

    Let us hope they do something about it. This is an easily reproduceable error on any 4000 Series Intel chipset. So it shouldn't be too hard to patch.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-19T14:44:38+00:00

    For some reason keeping the same resolution in desktop and game doesn't fix it for me. I have 1920x1080@60Hz set in windows and im using the same resolution in games, yet memory leak still occurs. Will they ever fix it?

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-19T14:26:59+00:00

    Nice concise list, Dennis!

    Unfortunately, option D does not exist for any person using 4th generation graphics (4600, 4400, etc).  I have tested every single released Windows 8.0 and 8.1 HD 4600 driver under 8.1 and they all have the memory leak.  Since I use WMC and XBMC on this setup I have opted for option A (desktop at 1920x1080 and full screen programs at same resolution.  I have also inserted a cheap HDMI A/B switch between my display and the PC in order to keep windows from changing the resolution when the display is powered off.

    I have been on this setup for 5-6 days and not a single Low Memory dialog have I seen.  However, this is certainly a horrible way to use a computer for end users.  Intel and or Microsoft need to figure this issue out and get it fixed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-18T21:24:12+00:00

    As stated above it seems to be a problem of Windows 8.1 and the Intel Graphics driver (and Nvidia Optimus?).

    You have 4 possibilities:

    a) Play on the resolution (and refresh rate) you’ve set in your Windows settings.

    b) Lower/raise the resolution (and refresh rate) of Windows to what you’ve set your game to.

    c) Play in windowed mode.

    d) (If possible) downgrade your Intel graphics driver to something like version 9.17.10.2875 and disable the “Intel Corporation Adapter WDDM1.2, Graphics Adapter WDDM 1.3 ….” Windows Update for now.

    For me solution d) worked flawlessly, but I have a HD4000, so I’m not sure if downgrading that far is even possible for your HD4400.

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