There are many ways to get better performance from a gaming PC, ranging from simple tweaks to more advanced optimizations. For those using AMD Radeon graphics cards and Ryzen processors, one powerful tool is Smart Access Memory (SAM).
This technology allows the CPU to access the GPU’s video memory more efficiently, improving communication between the two components and ultimately enhancing gaming performance and other demanding applications.
SAM is designed specifically to maximize performance on AMD hardware, giving PC gamers an edge when using Radeon GPUs and Ryzen CPUs. While similar features, like Resizable BAR, are available for Intel and Nvidia users, this guide focuses on how Smart Access Memory works, its benefits, and the hardware required to use it.
Greater Vram Access by CPU
Before this technology existed, processors could only access a limited portion of a GPU’s memory—just 256MB at a time. This restriction created a bottleneck, slowing down communication between the CPU and GPU.
With AMD Smart Access Memory (SAM), the processor can fully access the GPU’s VRAM, regardless of its size. This optimizes data transfer between the two components by making better use of PCIe bandwidth, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving overall performance.
As a result, gaming, video editing, and 3D modeling benefit from smoother performance, faster load times, and better efficiency—making SAM a valuable tool for those looking to maximize their PC’s potential.
How Much Performance Can Smart Access Memory Add?
According to AMD, enabling Smart Access Memory (SAM) can provide up to an 11% performance boost in games when using a Ryzen 7 5800X paired with a Radeon RX 6800 XT. However, actual gains will vary depending on the hardware configuration. The impact is most noticeable in CPU-bound scenarios, where the processor is the main performance limiter.
While a 10-11% boost might not seem groundbreaking, it can make a real difference—especially for budget-friendly setups. On entry-level GPUs like the RX 6600 or RX 7600, SAM can provide enough extra power to push games closer to 60 FPS, making gameplay much smoother.
Let’s be honest—an extra 10 FPS won’t mean much to someone already running games at high frame rates. But for those working with mid-range or entry-level hardware, that extra push can turn a choppy experience into a much more enjoyable one. And that’s where SAM truly shines.
How to Enable AMD Smart Access Memory
Activating AMD Smart Access Memory (SAM) is simple, though the method depends on your preference. The traditional way is through the motherboard BIOS, but for those who find BIOS settings a bit intimidating, there’s an easier option—AMD’s Adrenalin software.
To enable SAM via Adrenalin, follow these steps:
- Open the AMD Adrenalin software.
- Navigate to the Smart Technology tab.
- Scroll down to find AMD Smart Access Memory (it’s the last option).
- Click the toggle button to enable it.
- Restart your PC to apply the changes.
That’s it! With just a click, your system will take advantage of better CPU-to-GPU memory access, boosting gaming and performance-heavy tasks.
Which Hardware Supports AMD Smart Access Memory?
Not all PCs can take advantage of AMD Smart Access Memory (SAM), as it requires specific hardware. Initially, SAM was limited to Ryzen 5000 processors, but AMD later expanded support to include Ryzen 3000 and newer CPUs, along with compatible Radeon GPUs and AMD chipsets.
Compatible Hardware
CPUs:
- Ryzen 3000 Series (except Ryzen 5 3400G & Ryzen 3 3200G)
- Ryzen 5000 Series
- Ryzen 7000 Series
- Ryzen 8000 Series
- Ryzen 9000 Series
GPUs:
- Radeon RX 6000 Series
- Radeon RX 7000 Series
- Radeon RX 9000 Series (upcoming)
Chipsets:
- AMD 500 Series (AM4)
- AMD 600 Series (AM5)
- AMD 800 Series (AM5) (upcoming)
For laptops with Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs, most manufacturers ship them with SAM already enabled by default, meaning no manual activation is needed.
