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
    2014-06-11T14:11:54+00:00

    8.1 changed total virtual address space from 8tb to 128tb which prompted Intel to write new drivers and they messed up. Microsoft changed memory management and limits. They are NOT changing it back it's up to intel to get their act together one more option. Buy a REAL gpu. Even a cheap nv or ati is better than intel. Problem solved. If u don't want to do that 1) u can wait and cry and whine 2) set insanely large page files 3( use an older driver 4) hellllllo!!! Keep game and desktop same res. this is how 90% if gamers game i don't see why all the fuss. There's EASY work arounds. Whining won't fix it use a bandaid fix until intel fixes the drivers and quit bitching. Or **** to intel. Or go pay 99-129$ REAL gpu that will run circles around the intel built in graphics.

    Most people with this problem are either Mac users running windows or notebook users stuck with Optimus and thereby forced to use the intel gpu that it's built in the friggin CPU you expert ! Changing refresh rates and/or resolutions don't always work because the nvidia gpu renders the picture and the intel gpu outputs it. Before raging about "PC gamers" being to retarted you should first get your facts right !

    i for myself have since the newest driver from the 21.05. No problem like that. Will still see of that holds on. 

    Yeah ah but please you "experts" stop staying that people should buy a real card when the intel chip is built in the CPU or forced as like in notebooks. 

    Geeeez

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-11T13:31:30+00:00

    8.1 changed total virtual address space from

    8tb to 128tb which prompted Intel to write new drivers and they messed up. Microsoft changed memory management and limits. They are NOT changing it back

    it's up to intel to get their act together

    one more option. Buy a REAL gpu. Even a cheap nv or ati is better than intel. Problem solved. If u don't want to do that

    1. u can wait and cry and whine
    2. set insanely large page files

    3( use an older driver

    1. hellllllo!!! Keep game and desktop same res. this is how 90% if gamers game

    i don't see why all the fuss. There's EASY work arounds. Whining won't fix it

    use a bandaid fix until intel fixes the drivers and quit bitching. Or **** to intel. Or go pay 99-129$ REAL gpu that will run circles around the intel built in graphics.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-11T13:16:27+00:00

    I'm really sick of this. REALLY f***ing sick of this. Intel says Microsoft is working on a solution. Some also say Intel f***ed it up. I just don't know what to think anymore.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-11T10:30:41+00:00

    many work arounds for this issue have already been posted... this is NOT The forum to post to get it fixed.. you need to hound INTEL... They made new 8.1 drivers that do not work properly...

    1. roll back to an earlier driver version and they work
    2. increase page files to 32-64GB
    3. run the game in the SAME resolution as your desktop

    Why people run games in non native desktop resolutions is beyond me... maybe a lower res for performance.. but then a game will NOT look as good on a LCD monitor if it's not in the monitors native res.

    So until intel fixes this.. do one of the above

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