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
    2014-06-16T03:21:34+00:00

    @danachuka-

    Driver 2875, 2884 and 3107 (windows 8.0) will work in your case.  You should feel lucky that you have a driver you can install to avoid the issue.  Those of us with 4400 or 4600 graphics are screwed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-16T03:37:00+00:00

    People said that about 2000, xp, vista. Now ppl say Xp was the best version ever. Every version has had its own issues and bugs pll

    almost every version is "the worst" :). I think Win ME still holds "the worst" crown. 

    8.1 has issues but it really needs only a few things to behave :

    FRESH install. Never upgrade to it, or your nightmares will never end, and if u, did, I'd back up and reinstall it or go back to 8. No real reason 8.1 is needed

    dx 11.1/2 are nice but will get very little use as 12 is coming. And 12 will run on 7,8,8.1 (supposedly)

    if u have an intel or intel / nv hybrid gpu, either wait for intel to fix their driver or go back to 7 or 8

    in the end, 8.1 actuall us FANTASTIC for gaming IF IF you have good, solid, new, med to high end hardware AND it was installed fresh (not upgrade)

    granted im im not giving MS a pass on this. We should be able to upgrade. But the mem leak is all on INTEL. I've watched the leak with debug tools. It's crystal clear it's intel driver and intels part of the nvidia Optimus system. 

    Remember, in 8.1, the enter memory management system is brand new with higher caps. And this is causing driver fakers, mem leaks, efc. But that's up to Sw companies to fix, not ms.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-17T04:52:31+00:00

    Okay now I am a little confused, up until now I thought that this was an Intel driver issue, since so many facts points to that and then I came across this post:

    Error when running games: “Your computer is low on memory. Save your files and close these programs.”

    In this post, Mr Sharath Srinivasa is confirming that this is an MS issue and that they are working to resolve it. To me, Mr Sharath Srinivasa looks like he is working for MS.

    What is your view on this? 

    Thanks

    René

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