RAM issue

[Coolness]

hey, I have 4gb of RAM, 3gb usable, in a 64-bit OS. Probably just another n00b question, but hey, thats what the forum is for. So, why am i missing a Gig?

 

[noobvious]

hey, I have 4gb of RAM, 3gb usable, in a 64-bit OS. Probably just another n00b question, but hey, thats what the forum is for. So, why am i missing a Gig?

My guess is the highlighted portion of the snip......the other GB is being used by your graphics card.

 

[Datalyss]

I also have 4Gb installed, but Windows is only recognizing 3.44GB. Why is this?

 

[bobkn]

I also have 4Gb installed, but Windows is only recognizing 3.44GB. Why is this?

The standard response: desktop versions of 32 bit Windows (including 7) can address 4GB at most. However, some of these addresses are reserved for other purposes, so that a 32 bit system with 4GB of RAM will always show less than that available. The exact amount will depend on what hardware devices are present.

There are 32 bit server OSes that support PAE (physical address extension) that support more. They don't support 64 bit applications, though, so the limits on individual applications remain.

 

[pparks1]

I also have 4Gb installed, but Windows is only recognizing 3.44GB. Why is this?

Most likely because
1). you are running a 32-bit version of the operating system
2). you have an integrated video card which is sharing system RAM.

 

[whs]

For a 32bit system it is a problem of address space. As was said, graphics (even if they have their own memory) and some other functions need address space which can range from 0.5 to 1.2GBs. Thus the adddress space available for the RAM that the OS uses is between 2.8 and 3.5GB.

For 64bit systems there is no address space problem because the 64bit win7 address space goes up to 128GBs. It is, however, possible that an integrated graphics uses "shared memory" which takes real RAM away from the OS. For the size of that you have to check the specs of the on-board graphics chip.

 

[Coolness]

For a 32bit system it is a problem of address space. As was said, graphics (even if they have their own memory) and some other functions need address space which can range from 0.5 to 1.2GBs. Thus the adddress space available for the RAM that the OS uses is between 2.8 and 3.5GB.

For 64bit systems there is no address space problem because the 64bit win7 address space goes up to 128GBs. It is, however, possible that an integrated graphics uses "shared memory" which takes real RAM away from the OS. For the size of that you have to check the specs of the on-board graphics chip.

My graphics card has 1gb DEDCATED memory, and has nothing to do with system RAM. The OS is 64-bit, and when i had 3gigs (just upgraded) It showed 3 gigs, not 2 gigs. So, whats wrong?

 

[stormy13]

Does the bios report 3 or 4 GB?

Have a look in the bios for anything to do with memory hole or memory remapping, and if available make sure it is set to enabled (being an Acer, it may not be there).

 

[whs]

My graphics card has 1gb DEDCATED memory

See, that's a bit of information you did not give us before. Would have saved me a lot of typing.

 

[stormy13]

My graphics card has 1gb DEDCATED memory

See, that's a bit of information you did not give us before. Would have saved me a lot of typing.

And doesn't make any difference on a 64 bit OS. If that was the case mine would be showing 4 GB installed and 3.5 GB available.

 

[Muad Dib]

Some MOBO/Processor combinations will allow 4GB of RAM and installation of a 64-bit OS.

But you are never going to see the 4GB except in the POST or BIOS display.

Case in point - Dell E510.

I don't know if that is what is happening here - but it is something to consider.

 

[Coolness]

Does the bios report 3 or 4 GB?

Have a look in the bios for anything to do with memory hole or memory remapping, and if available make sure it is set to enabled (being an Acer, it may not be there).

Yeah, but it's 2x 2, so if it werent in BIOS, it would only show 2gigs right? Amd sorry about not telling you all this before.

 

[Dwarf]

Have you checked this option in msconfig?
Select Boot tab, click on Advanced options...

Ensure that Maximum memory: is unchecked as shown below.

Click OK twice to save any changes and then restart to put the changes into effect.

 

[Coolness]

Have you checked this option in msconfig?
Select Boot tab, click on Advanced options...
View attachment 51229
Ensure that Maximum memory: is unchecked as shown below.
View attachment 51230
Click OK twice to save any changes and then restart to put the changes into effect.

Both are done correctly. Thanks for your help ppl. Hope someone can get me the solution tho.

 

[whs]

My graphics card has 1gb DEDCATED memory

See, that's a bit of information you did not give us before. Would have saved me a lot of typing.

And doesn't make any difference on a 64 bit OS. If that was the case mine would be showing 4 GB installed and 3.5 GB available.

Not so. If it was an integrated graphics chip, it could take real RAM away, not only address space.

 

[richc46]

I think that the summary of all that was said appears in this article

Windows Vista: 3GB or 4GB RAM?

 

[Coolness]

I think that the summary of all that was said appears in this article

Windows Vista: 3GB or 4GB RAM?

Uhh, but i have a 64-bit OS, and the artice was about 32-bit OS's. Thanks for your help.

 

[richc46]

I think that the summary of all that was said appears in this article

Windows Vista: 3GB or 4GB RAM?

Uhh, but i have a 64-bit OS, and the artice was about 32-bit OS's. Thanks for your help.

The reasons would be the same. The point of the article is to show that some of the RAM would not show as available. I did not think that the actual allocation was as important as the fact that you do not have a problem

 

[Coolness]

I think that the summary of all that was said appears in this article

Windows Vista: 3GB or 4GB RAM?

Uhh, but i have a 64-bit OS, and the artice was about 32-bit OS's. Thanks for your help.

The reasons would be the same.

Really? So even if i have a 64-bit OS, it doesnt matter, it's the same as 32-bit OS's? Interesting...

 

[Dwarf]

Compare this image from my system to that from the first post in this thread. As you can see, they are both 64-bit systems with 4GB of RAM. Mine, however, is showing the full amount as being usable (it only says xGB usable if less than the installed amount).

Since you have already checked the settings I mentioned in my earlier post about Maximum memory: (you might like to double check),I can only think that it might be a BIOS setting.