MOBO update can't find need some help


  1. Posts : 5
    windows 7 ultimate 64bit
       #1

    MOBO update can't find need some help


    my computer specs: just added 4GB RAM plus anew video card. reason why i am looking for an update is bc my usable RAM is 2.67GB out of 4 GB.

    HP Pavilion a1120n Desktop PC Product Specifications - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,879
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    First thing is that motherboard only supports up to 4 GB of ram, so regardless of running 32 bit or 64 bit Windows you will never get the full 4 GB. This should help explain it some,

    The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

    Various devices in a typical computer require memory-mapped access. This is known as memory-mapped I/O (MMIO). For the MMIO space to be available to 32-bit operating systems, the MMIO space must reside within the first 4 GB of address space.

    For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory must be mapped within the first 4 GB of address space. If 4 GB of system memory is already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory. These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the operating system.

    The reduction in available system memory depends on the devices that are installed in the computer. However, to avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB. See the "More information" section for information about potential driver compatibility issues.

    If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB.
    Going by what you say is available I would guess that your new video card has 1 GB of memory on it. If so it has to be mapped as well, and it in addition to the rest of what is described above would bring it down to what you're seeing. Also did you remember (or did it auto-disable) the onboard video? If not that will get you another 128 MB freed up.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    windows 7 ultimate 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    stormy i disabled the onboard video it did give back just a little bit. Performance wise everything is good i was trying to find a fix to the usable and reserved hardware memory issue. Thanks for the info
      My Computer


 

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