Solved Windows 8 under VMWare Player : better graphics performance possible?

[Golden]

Hi,

I'm running an updated Windows 8 CDP under VMWare Player. Navigating around 8 is not as snappy as I would have hoped, and the graphics performance is horrible. Is this because I'm running as a virtual machine?

Is my only hope of using the full capability of my graphics card to run W8 natively?

Regards,
Golden

 

[Kynix]

As you propapbly know, every virtual machine creates virtual parts for the computer, and those parts are just emulating real ones. since it is impossible to emulate a good graphics card. So don't atleast wait staring at the clock for a fix for the issue.

 

[Hopachi]

Hi Golden,

You got good hardware so this solution should work.

Try to install Vmware Tools to replace the Basic Display Adapter with a better one. You need to go to settings in your vm and activate 3D graphics acceleration.

See screenshot:


Then start up the vm and install the tools.


Good luck
Hopachi

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I did post a way of increasing the graphics VRAM in a VM under vmware on the W7 Forum.

A Tip on increasing Graphics VRAM in a VMWare WM - Windows 7 Forums

When I ist posted that (a few vmware releases ago) the default VRAM size was 16 MB --it might have changed but in any case you can still adjust it.


You need to increase the basic VRAM.

Also enable on the HOST any graphics acceleration and enable 3D graphics on the VM.

So long as you have the latest version of vmware tools installed graphics also on a VM should be fine --don't expect to play serious games where the game needs to make direct hardware calls however --it won't work.

Basic multi media should be fine now.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Hopachi]

Thanks Jimbo

64 mb = 67108864 bytes
128 mb = 134217728 bytes

It works, but if you install VMware Tools then you standard get 128 VRAM from the VMware drivers.

Can we then apply a 256 mb = 268435456 bytes or even 512 mb = 536870912 bytes ? (128 worked always very well.)

These last two lines are a bit extreme but theoretically should work for someone with a 512 or 1024 mb graphics card. I don't know if you get a boost in performance.

I'll let you know after some benchmarks in VMware Player.

Thanks
Hopachi

 

[Hopachi]

I'm back

32mb without tools installed and 128mb with tools it's only for Windows XP and older. My mistake

For the tests I used a fresh install of Windows 8 CP x64 on VMware Player 4.0.2 (tools 8.8.2).

My host is a laptop and gets this score:


Now for the guest:
Windows 8 gets without the tools 256mb (0mb dedicated):


And with the tools... 1596mb !! (896mb dedicated)

You see the score is better for the graphics.
That's way better than I expected so no need for manual setting vram of 256 or 512 if you use the tools and your host graphics card is good enough.

Also manual setting the vram didn't work for WMware Player 4 (what am I doing wrong?):
svga.vramSize = "512000000" (not working)
svga.vramSize = "536870912" (also not working)

Use the standard settings and you're good to go.

Regards,
Hopachi

 

[Golden]

Hi Hopachi,

Thanks for going to so much effort to demonstrate the VMTools. I followed your suggestions, and W8CP x86 is far, far, far more snappier now!

Here is the new WEI.

Thanks again +Rep to you

 

[Hopachi]

Thanks Golden

Great score.


Hopachi

 

[01matrix01]

Hi Hopachi,

Thanks for going to so much effort to demonstrate the VMTools. I followed your suggestions, and W8CP x86 is far, far, far more snappier now!

Here is the new WEI.

Thanks again +Rep to you

Golden your score 7.3 for windows 8 guest is amazing!!!

Can you tell me your hardware configuration?

Thanks in advance