How Resizable BAR & Smart Access Memory Boost Your Gaming FPS

Resizable BAR and Smart Access Memory are modern technologies that can help boost your FPS in games by optimizing how your CPU and graphics card share data. As PC games demand more resources, gamers are always on the lookout for ways to squeeze extra performance from their hardware. Resizable BAR allows the CPU to interact more efficiently with the GPU, removing data transfer bottlenecks. In this article, we'll explain how the technology works, how to check if your components are compatible, and provide a step-by-step guide to enabling Resizable BAR or Smart Access Memory in your BIOS settings.

What Are Resizable BAR and Smart Access Memory (SAM)?

Traditionally, CPUs could only access VRAM in small 256 MB chunks. That was enough for older games and lower resolutions, but today's high-resolution titles with complex textures and large models require much bigger data transfers. The 256 MB limit forced the CPU to queue up tasks, creating micro-stutters and limiting your potential FPS.

Resizable BAR (Base Address Register) removes this bottleneck at the PCI Express level. When enabled, the CPU can access the entire memory of the graphics card at once, transferring data in large packets instead of small fragments. This reduces bus load and allows game assets to load into memory much faster. If you want to dive deeper into how VRAM allocation affects gaming, check out our guide: How Much VRAM Do You Need for PC Gaming? Video Memory Explained.

AMD vs. NVIDIA: What's the Difference?

There's often confusion between AMD's Smart Access Memory and NVIDIA's Resizable BAR. Technically, they're the same feature based on the open PCIe standard; the difference is all in marketing and software optimization.

Smart Access Memory (SAM) is AMD's commercial name for the feature, first launched as an exclusive benefit for Ryzen CPUs paired with Radeon graphics cards. NVIDIA soon followed with support for GeForce RTX cards, using the generic term Resizable BAR. Today, both implementations work on the same principle and are supported on most modern platforms regardless of brand.

Does Resizable BAR Actually Increase FPS?

In real-world gaming, Resizable BAR can offer genuine performance gains-but don't expect your frame rate to double overnight. On average, you'll see a free boost of 5-10%, and in heavily optimized titles, the increase can reach up to 15%. The biggest improvements appear in open-world games with large textures and constant background asset streaming. For more tips on software-based FPS boosts, check out our article: How to Increase FPS in Games Without Upgrading Your PC.

Sometimes, enabling the feature may have no noticeable effect. This is normal and depends on the game engine and how intensively it exchanges data between the CPU and VRAM.

Should You Keep Resizable BAR Enabled?

The answer is clear-yes, you should enable this feature. Some gamers worry that older, less optimized games might experience micro-stutters or performance drops, but hardware makers have addressed this at the driver level.

For example, NVIDIA drivers use a "whitelist" system, activating Resizable BAR only in games where it's proven to help. In other titles, the GPU ignores the new memory access scheme and sticks to the old standard. So, it's completely safe to keep the setting turned on at all times.

Supported Graphics Cards and CPUs: System Requirements

To use Resizable BAR or SAM, your PC must meet certain hardware requirements. The technology relies on relatively recent interface standards, so it won't work on decade-old systems.

• AMD CPUs: Ryzen 3000 series (except G-series with integrated graphics), Ryzen 5000, Ryzen 7000, and newer.
• Intel CPUs: 10th Gen Core processors and all newer generations.
• NVIDIA GPUs: GeForce RTX 30-series and RTX 40-series.
• AMD GPUs: Radeon RX 6000, RX 7000, and newer models.
• Motherboards: AMD 400-series chipsets or Intel 400-series chipsets and newer.

Important: Your motherboard must operate in UEFI mode. The legacy Compatibility Support Module (CSM) must be fully disabled in BIOS settings; otherwise, the option for Resizable BAR may not appear at all.

How to Enable Resizable BAR (Smart Access Memory) in BIOS

To activate the feature, enter your motherboard's BIOS. Restart your PC and repeatedly press the Delete or F2 key during the boot screen. BIOS interfaces vary, but the settings are usually found under Advanced, Boot, or PCI Subsystem Settings.

1. Find and enable Above 4G Decoding. Without this, memory addressing won't work correctly.
2. Afterward, you'll see the Resizable BAR Support setting (or Clever Access Memory on some ASRock boards). Set it to Auto or Enabled.
3. Make sure CSM (Compatibility Support Module) is disabled so your system runs in pure UEFI mode.
4. Besides proper BIOS configuration, fast storage devices also impact loading speeds. For more on this, see our article: How DirectStorage Transforms PC Gaming: Faster Loads, Smoother Worlds.
5. Save your BIOS settings by pressing F10 and reboot your PC.

How to Check If Resizable BAR Is Active in Windows

The easiest way to verify if Resizable BAR is enabled is with the free tool GPU-Z. Launch the program and look at the bottom section of the main window. The Resizable BAR line should read Enabled. Clicking it provides a breakdown of requirements and highlights any missing components.

NVIDIA users can check status in the NVIDIA Control Panel: open the panel, click Help in the top menu, and select System Information. In the pop-up, find the Resizable BAR line; it should say "Yes."

For AMD Radeon cards, the status appears in the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition app. Go to Performance > Tuning, and at the bottom of the page, ensure the AMD Smart Access Memory switch is enabled.

Conclusion

Resizable BAR is a great example of how software optimization can deliver free performance improvements. By removing outdated hardware limitations, it lets your CPU and GPU work together more efficiently. While the FPS boost varies from game to game, this technology will never reduce your system's performance.

If your PC meets the requirements, you should definitely enable this feature. Just a few minutes in your BIOS can reward you with smoother gameplay, higher FPS, and faster loading in all modern games.

FAQ

1. Do I need to update my motherboard BIOS to enable Resizable BAR?

   If you have an older platform (e.g., B450, X470, Z490 chipsets), you'll almost certainly need a BIOS update, as support for Resizable BAR was added via newer firmware. On the latest boards, the option is usually available out of the box.

2. What should I do if my PC won't boot (black screen) after enabling Resizable BAR?

   This usually happens if your operating system was installed on an MBR-partitioned disk using legacy CSM mode. Disabling CSM for Resizable BAR breaks the Windows bootloader. To fix it, reset BIOS settings (by removing the CMOS battery), then convert your disk to GPT or reinstall Windows in UEFI mode.

3. Does Smart Access Memory work on NVIDIA graphics cards?

   Not under the SAM name, as that's AMD's trademark. However, the equivalent Resizable BAR technology works on NVIDIA cards, offering the same benefits and results in games.