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Many users of Lenovo Yoga and Thinkpad laptops want to improve their gaming and graphics performance by enabling the Resizable Bar (Resizable BAR). This feature allows the CPU to access the entire GPU memory, leading to better performance in many modern games and applications. Here is a step-by-step guide to enable Resizable Bar on these laptops.
Prerequisites
- A compatible Lenovo Yoga or Thinkpad laptop with a supported GPU and CPU.
- The latest BIOS firmware installed.
- Updated graphics drivers from NVIDIA or AMD.
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system.
- Secure Boot enabled in BIOS.
Step 1: Update BIOS Firmware
Visit the official Lenovo support website and download the latest BIOS update for your specific model. Follow the instructions provided by Lenovo to safely update your BIOS firmware. A BIOS update is essential for enabling Resizable Bar support.
Step 2: Access BIOS Settings
Restart your laptop and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, or DEL) during startup to access the BIOS menu. The key varies depending on your model, so consult your user manual if needed.
Step 3: Enable Resizable Bar in BIOS
Navigate through the BIOS menu to find settings related to graphics or PCIe configuration. Look for options labeled “Resizable BAR,” “Above 4G Decoding,” or similar. Enable these options.
Ensure that “Secure Boot” is enabled for compatibility. Save your settings and exit BIOS. Your laptop will restart with the new BIOS configuration.
Step 4: Update Graphics Drivers
Download the latest graphics drivers from NVIDIA or AMD, depending on your GPU. Install the drivers and restart your laptop to apply changes.
Step 5: Enable Resizable Bar in Windows
Open the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings. Navigate to the “System” or “Gaming” section. Look for an option to enable Resizable BAR or Smart Access Memory (SAM). Turn it on.
Step 6: Verify the Setting
Use tools like GPU-Z or HWInfo to verify that Resizable BAR is active. You can also check in the graphics driver settings or benchmark performance in games to notice improvements.
Additional Tips
- Always back up your BIOS settings before making changes.
- Ensure your operating system is fully updated.
- Consult your laptop’s manual or support site for model-specific instructions.
- If you experience issues, revert BIOS settings to default and update drivers again.
Enabling Resizable Bar can significantly boost your gaming and graphics performance on Lenovo Yoga and Thinkpad laptops. Follow these steps carefully to enjoy the benefits of this feature.