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
    2014-06-13T19:54:22+00:00

    So? -.-

    Follow your own advice then. Buy any NVIDIA, since they're all better than every Intel integrated graphics cards? You say your PC works fine. Then you say you're trying to help, but also have a laptop facing this issue. Get your s*** together d***head.

    P.S. Nice double reply.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T19:56:53+00:00

    I do I have a Titan Z in my desktop, and I have 2 780tis in my husbands desktop

    in the house , everything is intel/nv, except the PS4&XBONE. 

    any nv or ati card that's current will blow any current intel integrated system out of the water

    my WORK laptop has an Optimus system and I don't game on that. If it's a device I don't game on, I don't care how crappy the graphics system is. When I bought the work laptop, I just needed a cheap system. 

    Once this issue popped up, I started running games on it to find WORKAROUNDS to help ppl

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T20:07:00+00:00

    yeah sorry i put on my imaginary bullsh1t shield .. its harmony now here .. nvidia gpu renders - intel outputs .. still .. sigh

    Well... I'm waiting. List some other , helpful working around I have not listed. Do you? Have some wisdom or idea for ppl to try that might help until this is all resolved?

    .. And your reply makes no sense... It's pretty much what i said.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T20:12:07+00:00

    So? -.-

    Follow your own advice then. Buy any NVIDIA, since they're all better than every Intel integrated graphics cards? You say your PC works fine. Then you say you're trying to help, but also have a laptop facing this issue. Get your s*** together d***head.

    P.S. Nice double reply.

    Let's see. I have 2 desktops. Mine and my husbands. A 6 yr old gaming laptop. A work laptop with Optimus. Probably older systems downstairs that run boinc non stop

    Gee I didn't realize listing my whole home/work inventory was a requirement to help ppl. 

    And yes, both desktops do have intel graphics on the CPU,,we never use them... But those are not Optimus. The mobo has it's own video out which can b disabled 

    i also said (for non Optimus people) put in a nv or ati card to solve this issue

    theres 1 thing in common the intel igp

    be it in Optimus or stand alone is causing this issue 

    nvidia ppl had this SAME issue. It was fixed my nv driver update... But nv / ati do beta releases. So when the beta came out that did this, ppl rolled back until nv fixed it. Then installed the whql release and poof gone

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