Only 2GB ram usable after installing ATI Radeon 5850

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
       #1

    Only 2GB ram usable after installing ATI Radeon 5850


    Hi all

    I'm running Windows 7 Pro, 32 Bit, 4GB ram.

    I have just recently (in the last week) installed an ATI Radeon 5850 Graphics Card to run triple screens.

    Everything seemed to be ok, but today (6 days after installation) when I right click on "Computer" in the start menu, and choose "Properties", windows tells me there's 4GB there but only 2GB usable.

    I did a search on the forum and found the issue discussed many times. Part of my issue I think is that the graphics card is using some shared memory (although I didn't notice it earlier in the week). I saw that others had posed from dxDiag so I found where that was - here is the result

    ---------------
    Display Devices
    ---------------
    Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series
    Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
    Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6899)
    DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
    Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6899&SUBSYS_03481043&REV_00
    Display Memory: 1782 MB
    Dedicated Memory: 1016 MB
    Shared Memory: 765 MB
    Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

    If this is my problem, how do I go about fixing it?

    Cheers
    Griffo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #2

    Check your BIOS for re-mapping options.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Wow that was quick tw33k, thanks.

    I'm not so good when it comes to that side of things, so I'm off to google it.

    Gigabyte P55-UD3R is the motherboard I think.

    Is there any easy way to explain where the option "might" be (guessing it's different for each type of motherboard?)

    Thanks
    Griffo

    EDIT - just found this on google

    The BIOS must support the memory remapping feature. The memory remapping feature allows for the segment of system memory that was previously overwritten by the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) configuration space to be remapped above the 4 GB address line. This feature must be enabled in the BIOS configuration utility on the computer. View your computer product documentation for instructions that explain how to enable this feature. Many consumer-oriented computers may not support the memory remapping feature. No standard terminology is used in documentation or in BIOS configuration utilities for this feature. Therefore, you may have to read the descriptions of the various BIOS configuration settings that are available to determine whether any of the settings enable the memory remapping feature.
    Last edited by Griffo; 07 Nov 2010 at 02:03. Reason: Found part of answer to own question
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,436
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
       #4

    I think it could be because it is sharing your RAM with your graphics card.

    Correct me if i am wrong please.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch Linux
       #5

    Griffo said:
    Hi all

    I'm running Windows 7 Pro, 32 Bit, 4GB ram.

    I have just recently (in the last week) installed an ATI Radeon 5850 Graphics Card to run triple screens.

    Everything seemed to be ok, but today (6 days after installation) when I right click on "Computer" in the start menu, and choose "Properties", windows tells me there's 4GB there but only 2GB usable.

    I did a search on the forum and found the issue discussed many times. Part of my issue I think is that the graphics card is using some shared memory (although I didn't notice it earlier in the week). I saw that others had posed from dxDiag so I found where that was - here is the result

    ---------------
    Display Devices
    ---------------
    Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series
    Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
    Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6899)
    DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
    Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6899&SUBSYS_03481043&REV_00
    Display Memory: 1782 MB
    Dedicated Memory: 1016 MB
    Shared Memory: 765 MB
    Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

    If this is my problem, how do I go about fixing it?

    Cheers
    Griffo
    You are using a 32-bit OS, use 64-bit to use all your RAM
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hi HonorGamer

    I'm guessing that is it, but notice it has 1GB dedicated before the shared. I also only noticed the drop today (system slowed up quite noticeably) - but I hadn't noticed it before today, even though I've been on it all week.

    I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how to lose the shared graphics memory (if that is at all possible).

    I'm just hutning around trying to figure out how to do the bios remap that tw33k has suggested.

    Cheers
    Griffo
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #7

    I'm not sure exactly what it will say in your BIOS but if it's there you'll find it. You do realise tho that with 32 bit you can only use 3GB max?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi tw33k

    Yes I realise the 32 bit limitation - just seemed weird that it dropped today (or at least that's when I noticed it).

    I think I will definitely look to a 64 bit system though.

    Thanks
    Griffo
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch Linux
       #9

    Griffo said:
    Hi tw33k

    Yes I realise the 32 bit limitation - just seemed weird that it dropped today (or at least that's when I noticed it).

    I think I will definitely look to a 64 bit system though.

    Thanks
    Griffo
    You must do a clean install if you want to install x64
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #10

    Even with x64 you'll need to sort the memory mapping problem or it will happen again.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:18.
Find Us