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
    2014-05-03T14:57:12+00:00

    I don't think its something no more supported. In fact older intel drivers (before win8.1) work better. I think should be more a wrong way to use a new feature... others have learned now, intel not yet!

    SC

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-03T14:30:25+00:00

    They all use the same API.  that's why games etc... Don't talk to the hardwAre.. They talk to an API layer...Every game uses DirectX or OpenGL API calls. Intel, nv, ati all use the same DirectX and OpenGL API calls. Or at least they should

    the intel drivers are not using memory properly and are leaking it b/c they are not optimized to handle 128tb virtual address space in 8.1 vs 8tb in vista, 7, and 8 (x64)

    8.1 x64 changed the entire memory management System and limits from 8tg to 128tb.. Paged and non paged pool max sizes and changes to every other memory pools. Intel needs to re code drivers for the change.

    if this were a ms bug, there'd be a ms kb article acknowledging this and saying a fix is underway, and nv, and ati ppl would be screaming. 

    Pressure re intel into making new drivers 

    I watched their  drivers leak memory when I yanked out my gtx cards and turned intel on. (I use debug utilities on them). I know exactly what they are doing wrong. I've emailed intel support , and they blow me off. 

    Nv and ati ppl had this SAME mem issue! Ati and nv nade new drivers (within 1-2 days if 8.1 coming out and the new drivers were in beta for months prior to 8.1). Issue solved. Intel needs to get off Their butts

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-03T08:01:12+00:00

    That's simply not true. If Intel drivers use an API in a documented way, but nVidia / AMD do not, its still not Intels fault if that API has an issue.

    So calm down, and hope for the promised MS bugfix.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-03T06:12:43+00:00

    I agree with TallBearNC. After all neither of NVIDIA or ATI users aren't complaining on this, but Intel users are. It's known that this bug affects 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation integrated graphics. Mine is a 3rd and I'm having this issue. So for sure it can't be Microsoft's fault, Intel has to be the culprit.

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