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
    2014-02-05T06:27:37+00:00

    maybe. but the GTX780m in my laptop supports 11.2 . and the intel HD 4600 i think supports 11.1.

    but i'll try installing the one that came from the laptop vendors disc(windows 8.0 version). i havent test it.

    since i have refreshed the windows 8.1 and i havent got any intel GPU drivers saved in my download folders.

    its such hassle if i also need to retrovert the nvidia driver.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-05T05:11:07+00:00

    Hello, I had the same problem one month ago..

    After even only one minute of game my committed memory raised up to the maximum available (no matter on how much was set this maximum) and therefore the message appeared.

    I have traced back the problem to the Intel HD4000 graphic drivers. I've sweeped out the intel drivers with driver sweeper and reinstalled the original drivers (old ones, for W7/W8) and the problem did not appeared anymore... Until Yesterday.

    After a small check I verified that Windows updated "silently" the Intel graphic drivers to the new, W8.1 version again. I reinstalled the old ones and no more raising commited memory again! And I confirm that this is achieved with desktop resolution different from full screen game resolution!

    Now I've disabled automatic updates of W8.1 for the moment.

    This seems definitely a solution for me. I see that you have also the Intel graphic card as first card. Probably you can try!

    I attach the "good" version of Intel drivers that works for me...

    And data on Geforce drivers I have installed also:

    Operating System:                Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center, 64-bit

    DirectX Version:                     11.0

    GPU:                                       GeForce GT 630M

    Driver Version:                       331.82

    Direct3D API Version:            11.1

    Direct3D Function Version:   11_0

    This is only a speculation but may it be because in this way, both desktop and games graphic drivers use DX11.0 instead 11.2 and therefore W8.1 does not force the same, higher version for both?

    Bye,

    S.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-04T23:24:30+00:00

    Thats the point. You said it yourself microsoft KNEW this already. Its intentional. Its another microsoft's way shoving their features down their consumer's throat. I have GTX780m SLI and still not get smooth enough frame rates in assassin's creed IV:black flag while on other games it runs beyond 60fps. It is MY RIGHTS if i want to lower my resolution to achieve it. And microsoft with windows 8.1 act like i should accept the lower frame rates or choose to use different OS.

    Im now thinking of turning my alienware into a Mac.

    Ps: i do compatibility troubleshooting and eventually prompt to send report to microsoft. And i some time gets the "does the program runs correctly?" box. And i also ignore the low memory warning until it crashes and force closes. The system gathers data for the crash after for the bug reporting service. My alienware NEVER CRASH before windows 8.1

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-04T23:18:47+00:00

    I agree with VipaSoft.  We have to report this issue as many ways as possible.  I have been having the issue for months and I never had an actual crash or something to send to Microsoft.

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