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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:
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).
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.
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.
It's impossible to talk to anyone at Microsoft about it, though. I've been trying to get a response for months on that forum, and I've spent over 20 hours on the phone with 11 different service representatives. No one in tech support has heard of the issue, and unless you let them ask you the same useless questions and reinstall your drivers for the billionth time, they won't transfer you to the next level of support.
Hi,
Emannxx,
I am not IT Professional but i was also suffring from same issue while playing Simcity Limited Edition Online as well as Offline.
Previously i was using Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade 32 bit pack with 8 Gb memory installed.Memory shows 3.44 Gb out of 8 Gb installed.
but while playing Simcity i was getting error Windows is ruuning on low memory please save your programmes.
Then i started to find out solution for this on microsoft community & does the same as said by Experts on community but problem not solved even after switch to Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade 64 bit pack.Memory now shows 9.90 Gn out of 10 Gb installed (I added 2 Gb Ram More) but worthless.
Problem was still on.
I don't know this is a Windows issue or Motherboard issue(Gigabyte)Support Intel i3 4130 4th generation Processor.
one day i use recommended setting said by windows for eg. Resolution 1360*768(Recommended)
& Same setting i enabled in Simcity Game.
Hurrrah & Problem solved & after 1 week observation i am writing my comment to all Microsoft Community.
Good Luck
I am new to this thread. I have been trying to wade through it all for a solution. I am a novice, but I have this same low memory issue. I only have two games on my laptop- Skyrim and Borderlands2. I have the following-
intel3rd gen ivy bridge quad core processor, 8 gb ram, nvidia GT 630M w/ 1gb, 1TB hard drive, with t least 700gb available.
i use the nvidia card to play games, manually selected using nvidia control panel.
i have tried to play games full screen or windowed at same/ matching resolution as desktop.
i still have this problem. But it is ONLY with Borderlands 2, NOT with Skyrim, which seems to be a more graphically intensive game.
any ideas?
Conclusion: u can solve the problem setting the same resolution for both fullscreen game and deskop.
Temporary Solution:
To prevent the memory leak, the workaround is to first set the Screen Resolution in Win8.1 and make sure the game resolution matches.
Let me know if you can validate the above as a workaround.
This does not work for me. I am a novice, so forgive my ignorance.
Here is what I have-
**Nvidia Geforce GT 630M- 1GB :**Driver- 9.18.13.3788 (5/19/14)
Intel i7 3630QM 2.4GHz (3rd Gen Ivy Bridge)
Intel HD 4000 on board video : Driver- 10.18.10.3621 (5/16/14)
8GB RAM
431GB free on 750 GB hard drive
I have the desktop resolution AND the game resolution BOTH set to 1366x768 (native screen res).
I only have two big games on my comuter- Borderlands2, and Skyrim.
I play both games via STEAM client.
I ONLY get low memory message while playing Borderlands2.
I do NOT get the low memory message while playing Skyrim.
I have my NVidia control panel set to play both games using the NVidia GPU.
Does anybody have any information that may help me resolve this. I have been searching everywhere on this and similar threads and can't seem to find a solution.
