Virtualbox macOS high sierra showing 7mb vram even i set to 128 in virtualbox settings any fix

Guide: Fixing VRAM and Choppy GUI in VirtualBox Running macOS High Sierra

Target Audience: Users running macOS High Sierra in VirtualBox on a Windows/Linux Host

Objective:

Resolve the issue of macOS High Sierra showing only 7MB VRAM and experiencing a choppy GUI in VirtualBox, despite having a capable hardware setup.

Understanding the Issue:

• VirtualBox's default settings for macOS do not fully utilize your GPU capabilities, often leading to limited VRAM allocation and poor graphics performance.
• macOS in VirtualBox doesn't directly use your AMD RX 580 for rendering; instead, it relies on VirtualBox's emulated graphics, which are quite limited.

Steps to Address the Issue:

1. Increase VRAM via VirtualBox Settings:

   • Shut down the macOS High Sierra VM.
   • Go to VM settings in VirtualBox, navigate to Display, and set the Video Memory to the maximum allowable amount (usually 128MB).
   • Note: This may not always reflect correctly in macOS due to the way VirtualBox handles GPU emulation.

2. Modify VM Configuration File:

   • Locate the VirtualBox VM configuration file (.vbox) for your macOS VM.
   • Ensure the VM is completely shut down and VirtualBox is closed.
   • Open the .vbox file in a text editor and search for the <Display> section.
   • Modify the VRAMSize value to 256MB or higher. For example: <VRAMSize>256</VRAMSize>.
   • Save the file and reopen VirtualBox.

3. Install VirtualBox Guest Additions:

   • While Guest Additions are not officially supported for macOS, there are unofficial versions available that may improve performance.
   • Be cautious with unofficial tools, as they can affect system stability.

4. Enable 3D Acceleration:

   • In VirtualBox settings, under the Display section, ensure that the "Enable 3D Acceleration" option is checked.

5. Adjusting System Resources:

   • Allocate more CPU cores and RAM to the VM if available. For your setup, assigning 4 CPU cores and 8GB RAM could enhance performance.
   • Ensure your host machine has enough resources to handle this allocation without affecting its performance.

6. Update VirtualBox:

   • Running the latest version of VirtualBox can resolve many performance issues. Ensure you have the latest version installed.

Additional Recommendations:

• Host OS Settings: Ensure your host operating system (Windows/Linux) is using the AMD RX 580 correctly and that drivers are up to date.
• VM Alternatives: Consider using alternative virtualization software like VMware, which might offer better graphics performance for macOS.
• Hardware Limitations: Understand that virtualizing macOS on non-Apple hardware will have inherent limitations, especially regarding graphics performance.

Feedback and Support:

• If issues persist, seek advice on forums dedicated to VirtualBox or macOS virtualization, where users might have specific insights for such configurations.

Reminder:

• Modifying VM configuration files and using unofficial tools carry a risk of system instability. Always back up important data before making such changes.
• Running macOS on non-Apple hardware, even in a virtual environment, may violate Apple's software license agreement. Proceed with awareness of these limitations.