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
    2014-05-05T18:31:26+00:00

    @TallBear-

    I do not think that anyone will ever be able to track the issue using the tools/methods you mention.  The memory leak only occurs when you are in full screen mode.  As soon as you alt-tab out of fullscreen mode (say in order to refresh RAMMap) the commit level goes back to a normal level.  Is there a tool that will do all the stuff you mention but run quietly in the background behind the fullscreen app?  That is the only way to catch it.

    So one way around this is to alt-tab out every 5-10 minutes and then get back into the fullscreen app.

    What I am concerned about is that Microsoft has not said it is their issue and Intel has basically passed the buck.  This seems like a perfect situation for absolutely nothing to get done on this problem while the end used twist in the wind.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-05T10:46:40+00:00

    try using the good performce ones that leak and get RamMap

    http://download.sysinternals.com/files/RAMMap.zip

    before installing it. make 32-64gb ina single page-file or divided across physical disks/arrays... NEVER more than 1 per physical disk/array even if u have more than 1 partition per drive. i shouldnt need to explain why

    install,run rammap, its not real time, so you must refresh it, when the leak takes up a lot of memory, refrsh rammap, and tell it to dump all working sets

    also google vmmap64

    run that when the leak is also high.sort by working set, try commit, and other options... see what process it taking gigabytes of info.. when u find it, dump whatever u can

    if neither app helps, run taskmgr in windows, click perf tab, the resource monitor link.. go to memory.. sort by working set... if SYSTEM is the culprit, thats ntoskernel and most drivers are stored here

    also on the memory area of taskmgr make sure paged and non paged are under 1gb.. if not then theres the leak from the driver.. i think ram map can clear the pools...

    if youre leaking into non paged, then u r hosed... as that can not be swapped to disk, but unused code can b cleared out

    )

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-05T09:36:16+00:00

    So which driver should we roll back to for now?

    I like the new drivers just because of the right-clicked menu on desktop has "smaller" intel logos for making the logo area in line :D. Before, they were using a bit bigger one which was messing up that bar lol.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-05T01:42:06+00:00

    It's kind of weird that this bug happened after the release of the Xbox One.

    I'm just saying....

    I have this bug since after installing the new and the worst Windows Vista version (Windows 8.1 of course).

    I just can't believe how Windows and Intel haven't done anything yet. Specially from Intel, because their reputation as Graphics Hardware's Vendors is now worst than before.

    I have to say that I used to be an Intel/Windows fan, but now I feel regrets for not have bought a computer with a PowerPC processor and Windows 1.0.

    My specs

    Lenovo Z480

    Win 8.1

    Intel i5-3210M with Intel HD 4000

    By now I'm using driver's version 9.17.10.3223 from Lenovo's website without memory problem, but with compatibility, performance and other kind of issues.

    But if I use the new one, it's even worse.

    I'm considering to install iOS in my computer, at least I would be able to play games without memory leaks, and my computer will have a colorful theme!

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