AMD SAM Technology: How to Improve Steam Game Frame Rates
Enabling AMD SAM technology can give your games a real performance boost. Many users see up to a 10% increase in frame rate when playing on high settings. For example, with a Ryzen 5800X3D and Radeon 6700 XT, you might see frame rates jump from 70-80 fps to around 90 fps. You do not need to be an expert to try this. Most modern systems support it, so you can start seeing smoother gameplay quickly.
AMD SAM Technology Benefits
How It Works
amd sam technology helps your computer play games better. Usually, your CPU can only use a small part of your GPU’s memory. This can make games run slower and cause delays. When you turn on this feature, your CPU can use all the GPU memory. This lets your system move game data faster and easier.
Tip: When your CPU and GPU share data faster, you get less lag and smoother games.
This technology removes old limits on how your computer parts talk. It works like a bigger, faster bridge between your CPU and GPU. This means you get lower latency and better use of graphics memory. It helps games run better, especially if they use lots of VRAM.
Impact on Steam Games
You might wonder if this really helps in games. The answer depends on your game and system, but most people see a small frame rate boost and smoother play. Here is a table that shows what happens in some popular games:
Game | Avg FPS (SAM Disabled) | Avg FPS (SAM Enabled) | Min FPS (SAM Disabled) | Min FPS (SAM Enabled) | Frame Time (ms) Disabled | Frame Time (ms) Enabled | VRAM Usage Increase (GB) | CPU Usage Change (%) | Performance Benefit Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hogwarts: Legacy | 96 | 100 | 79 | 82 | 11.5 | 10.5 | +0.3 | -1 | Slight increase in avg and min FPS, lower frame time |
The Last of Us Part I | 91 | 103 | 79 | 86 | 12.1 | 10.6 | +1.1 | +13 | Noticeable avg and min FPS increase, lower frame time, higher CPU |
Horizon Forbidden West | 87 | 91 | 78 | 82 | 10.9 | 10.6 | +1.5 | -2 | Slight FPS increase, similar frame time, higher VRAM usage |
Avatar: Pandora Border | 53 | 53 | 43 | 44 | 18.2 | 17.7 | +0.6 | +2 | No significant FPS change, minor frame time improvement |
You can see the gains are usually small, just a few frames per second. Some games get bigger boosts, but others do not change much. Most of the time, you get a small improvement in how games run. This is easiest to see in open-world games or games that use lots of graphics memory.
Note: amd sam technology does not always give a big boost, but it helps your system work better. You might see smoother games and fewer slowdowns, especially in hard-to-run games.
Requirements
Compatible Hardware
You need certain parts to use amd sam technology. Most new computers can use this feature, but you should check your parts first. Here is a table to help you see if your computer is ready:
Hardware Component | Official Compatibility | Extended Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
CPUs | Ryzen 5000 Series | Ryzen 3000 and 2000 Series |
GPUs | Radeon RX 6000 Series | Radeon RX 5000 Series |
Motherboards | 500 Series Chipset Motherboards | B450 and X470 Motherboards |
Software/BIOS | Latest Chipset Driver, Radeon Software 20.11.2+, BIOS with AGESA 1.1.0.0+ | Same requirements apply |
Some people have used this feature with older CPUs and motherboards. If you have a Ryzen 3 3300X or Ryzen 5 3600X, you might still use this feature if you update your system.
BIOS and Driver Updates
You need to keep your BIOS and drivers updated. Updates can add new things and fix bugs. Here are the lowest versions you need:
BIOS: AGESA 1.1.0.0 or newer
Radeon Software Driver: Version 20.11.2 or newer
Chipset Driver: Latest version
Tip: Check your motherboard’s website for the newest BIOS. Updates can give you more options for amd sam technology.
Software Setup
After you update your hardware and drivers, check your system settings. Make sure your operating system is updated. Windows updates can help your computer work better. Some features, like Multi Plane Overlays, can change how games run. Steam settings do not change how amd sam technology works, but keeping everything updated helps stop problems.
Note: If you have trouble, you can turn off this feature in your BIOS. Try different settings to see what works best for your games.
Enable Smart Access Memory
Check Compatibility
Before you turn on smart access memory, you need to make sure your computer supports it. Follow these steps to check if your hardware is ready:
Check your processor. You need at least a Ryzen 5000 series, but some Ryzen 3000 chips might work if your motherboard supports them.
Look at your motherboard. A 500 series board works best, but some B450 boards can also support this feature.
Make sure your Windows uses UEFI mode. You should not have Compatibility Support Module (CSM) turned on.
Go into your BIOS settings and look for “Above 4G Decoding.” This must be enabled.
Find the “Resizable BAR” option in BIOS and set it to “On” or “Auto.”
Test your system after setup. Sometimes, even if your parts look right, you need to check if smart access memory works as expected.
Tip: If you are not sure about your hardware, check your motherboard manual or the manufacturer’s website for details.
Update BIOS and Drivers
You need the latest BIOS and drivers for smart access memory to work well. Here is how you can update them:
Download the newest BIOS for your motherboard from the official website.
Update your BIOS by following the instructions from your motherboard maker.
Install the latest chipset drivers for your system.
Download and install the newest graphics drivers.
Make sure your Windows is up to date.
Many users forget to set their BIOS to full UEFI mode. If you leave legacy support on, smart access memory will not work. Sometimes, old or broken graphics drivers can also cause problems. If you have trouble, use a tool to fully remove your graphics drivers and then reinstall the latest version.
Note: Always back up your important files before updating BIOS.
Enable in BIOS
Now you can turn on smart access memory in your BIOS. Follow these steps:
Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS (usually Del or F2).
Go to the advanced settings menu.
Find the PCIE Subsystem settings.
Turn on “Above 4G Decoding.”
Enable “Re-Size BAR Support” or set it to “Auto.”
Go to the Boot menu and turn off CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
Save your changes and restart your computer.
Many people forget to disable CSM or do not enable 4G decoding. Both settings are needed for smart access memory to work. Always double-check these options before you leave BIOS.
Verify in AMD Software
After you set up your BIOS and drivers, you need to check if smart access memory is active. Open your graphics software and look for the smart access memory status. You should see a message that says it is enabled. If you do not see this, check your BIOS and driver settings again.
Sometimes, even if you change BIOS settings, driver problems can stop smart access memory from working. Make sure you use the latest drivers and that you installed them correctly.
Alert: If you still have trouble, try removing your graphics drivers completely and reinstalling them. This fixes most issues.
Optimize Steam Settings
You can get the best performance boost by pairing smart access memory with the right game settings. Here is a table to help you choose the best options:
Setting | Description | Performance Impact | Best Practice with Smart Access Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
Anti-Aliasing (AA) | Smooths jagged edges in games | High AA lowers FPS | Use moderate AA for balance |
Anti-Aliasing Mode | Lets you control AA through app or driver | Varies | Try Override or Enhance for each game |
Morphological Filtering | Adds post-process AA with less FPS drop | Low to moderate | Enable in fullscreen mode |
Anisotropic Filtering | Sharpens textures far away | Small FPS drop | Use x4 or x8 |
Texture Filtering Quality | Changes how sharp textures look | Small FPS drop | Keep at Standard |
Surface Format Optimization | Lets driver use faster formats | Improves performance | Keep enabled |
Shader Cache | Stores shaders to load games faster | Faster loading | Keep enabled |
Tessellation Mode | Adds detail to objects | High detail lowers FPS | Limit tessellation for better FPS |
Wait for Vertical Refresh | Syncs FPS to monitor to stop tearing | Can lower FPS or add lag | Turn off unless you see screen tearing |
Frame Rate Target Control | Caps your FPS to save power and heat | Lowers max FPS | Set near your monitor’s refresh rate |
Application Profiles | Lets you set options for each game | N/A | Make profiles for your favorite games |
Tip: Try different settings to see what works best for your games. Smart access memory helps most when you play open-world or high-detail games.
When you follow these steps, you give your system the best chance for a real performance boost. Smart access memory works best when your hardware, BIOS, drivers, and game settings all work together.
Real-World Results
Benchmarks
You can check how amd sam technology helps by looking at real tests. When you turn on this feature, some games run faster. For example, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1080p gets a 20% higher average frame rate. Forza Horizon 4 at 1080p goes up by 19%. Red Dead Redemption 2 gets much better minimum frame rates, so the game feels smoother. Rainbow Six Siege only gets a small boost in average FPS, but the lowest FPS still gets better.
Here is a table that shows how much faster games can get with this feature:
Game | Average FPS Gain | Minimum FPS Gain | Notes on Performance Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Dead Redemption 2 | 8% | 180% (2.8X) | Highest minimum FPS improvement, moderate average gain |
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 14% | 13% | Moderate gains in both average and minimum FPS |
Forza Horizon 4 (1080p) | 19% | 20% | Highest average FPS gain at 1080p, strong minimum FPS gain |
Rainbow Six Siege | 1% | 12% | Lowest average FPS gain, but noticeable minimum FPS gain |
Games that use a lot of CPU or need fast data between CPU and GPU get the biggest boost. Sometimes, the average frame rate only goes up a little, but the lowest frame rates get much better. This means your games will feel smoother, even if the top FPS does not change much.
Note: Not every game gets a big boost. Some games do not change much, and a few might even run a bit slower. Most of the time, you will see the best results in games that use a lot of CPU or when your GPU has less memory.
User Experiences
Many people talk about their results online. Some say their games run better, especially new games that use a lot of VRAM. Others notice smoother games with fewer drops in frame rate.
Some people see big gains on older GPUs with less memory, like the Radeon R9-390 or Polaris series.
A few people have problems, like memory leaks or stuttering, especially with certain graphics settings or APIs.
If you play games that use the Vulkan API, you might see higher VRAM use or some issues with this feature on.
Most people think turning on this feature is worth trying because it can make games smoother and more stable.
Tip: If you have problems after turning on this feature, try changing your game’s graphics API or turn the feature off to see if it helps.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Common Issues
You might have problems when turning on this feature. Many people say the setting can be hard to use or has bugs. Sometimes, you must change BIOS settings more than once. You may need to fully shut down your PC, not just restart it. Here are some common problems:
The feature does not work after you turn it on in BIOS.
The option shows as off or cannot be clicked in your graphics software.
You may need to turn off “Above 4G Decoding” and “Resizable BAR” in BIOS, shut down, then turn them back on and shut down again.
The setting might turn off after a driver update, so you have to do the steps again.
Some people say turning on another BIOS setting called “SIO compatibility” can help bring the feature back.
Tip: If your computer will not start or the screen stays black after turning on the feature, try using a different graphics card. This can help you get into BIOS and turn the setting off.
Confirming SAM is Active
You should check if the feature is working. Open your graphics software and look for a message that says it is on. If you do not see this, check your BIOS settings again. Sometimes, you need to shut down and restart more than once. If you still have trouble, look for help online. The AMD Community forum and Tom’s Hardware forums have many people sharing their fixes. You can find help about BIOS settings, driver updates, and fixing errors like “unsupported feature.”
Note: Community forums often have new tips and real fixes from other users.
Extra Performance Tips
You can get better results by following these tips:
BIOS Settings | Hardware Requirements | Software Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Turn on ‘Above 4G Decoding’ | 500 Series motherboards or newer | Radeon Software Driver 20.11.2+ |
Turn on ‘Re-Size BAR Support’ | Ryzen 3000 series or newer CPUs | Latest motherboard BIOS (AGESA 1.1.0.0+) |
Radeon RX 5000 Series GPUs or newer |
Keep your drivers and BIOS up to date. New updates fix bugs and make your system more stable.
If you see stuttering or low frame rates, try turning off the feature in BIOS. Some computers work better without it.
People had fewer problems after a new driver update removed a buggy filter driver.
Check forums for new fixes if you have problems.
You can make your Steam games run faster by turning on Smart Access Memory. Here is what you should do:
Look at your computer parts and update your BIOS.
Turn on the right options in BIOS and your graphics program.
Change your game settings to get the best speed.
Your results might be different. Try out different changes and tell others what works for you. Keep your software up to date to keep getting better performance.
