4gb ram 3 gb usable part 1

anchit

i have win pro 64 bit with 4gb ram it says only 3063 usable. i think that my graphics card is using the rest as hardware reserved memory how to reclaim that 1 gb of memory??

Night Hawk

Your startups as well as the background services in Windows are simply taking the first 1gb as well as some possible mapping out. Presently here I see 1.34gb taken off likely having a few things for that difference running the 64bit Ultimate.

If you were seeing a large drop when looking in the task manager>performance tab there you would then have to consider a problem was present. The first thing however would be looking at the startup items seen in the msconfig utility and simply uncheck anything you can disable without worry being able to manually start it up when needed; 3rd party mainly rather then anything video or sound related.

The fewer items to start with the less ram will be occupied.

Dinesh

It's normal. The rest of the RAM is being used by your graphics card.

whs

What is your graphics? If it is an on-board chipset, then it possibly uses that RAM. If it is a dedicated graphics card with its own memory, then there is another problem.

The Master

if your graphics is on board then it must be using it but if not its another problem

Night Hawk

Dinesh was correct there even with onboard video rather then a separate expansion in how shared system memory is allocated. If you have 256mb for the onboard Windows will likely match that by mapping another 256mb bringing the total to 512mb used.

Another factor not to forget is the fact that the 64bit Windows will place more data in the active ram seeing far less data swapping out to the drive where the 32bit relies on the paging file for supplimenting with the virtual memory. If a default 32bit 7 install runs at 400mb the 64bit equivalent uses about 300mb more to bring that to 700mb.

fpopic

i have the same problem.
I had 1x2GB 800mhz (kingmax) ddr2 , and then i bought one stick more
now i have 2x2gb of same memory, but my windows 7 x64 says it is only 3,0 of 4Gb used.
I have indicated 128mb card

My Everest (AIDA64 Extreme Edition Pro) report :
Report.htm - ************ - online file sharing and storage - download
My DxDiag report:
DxDiag.txt - ************ - document sharing - download

stormy13

I would start by going here. This neat little MSFT tool will give you some good basic information on the weak link(s) in your system's performance which of course is the ultimate goal of freeing up more physical memory.

While the article talks about Vista the tool is available in Windows 7 and I believe can be accessed and run in W7 as indicated in the article for Vista.

Quote:

Windows Experience Index

Understand and improve your computer's performance in Windows Vista

By Stephanie Krieger
When presenting at a user group meeting last week, someone asked me if a low Windows Experience Index (WEI) score of 1 or 2 means that he should not use Windows Vista on that computer. The answer is "not at all."
One of my favorite capabilities of Windows Vista is that it scales itself to fit your computer to help give you the best possible performance. For example, if your computer doesn't have the graphics capability to effectively display the new Windows Aerovisual effects, Windows Vista won't enable those effects on your computer.
In this article, I'll show you where to find your computer's WEI base score and subscores, as well as how to interpret them. I'll also show you how you can use these scores to help know what to look for when buying a new computer, upgrading your existing computer, or troubleshooting performance issues.
Finding your scores

Here's how to find your computer's WEI scores:

1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools.
2. View the Windows Experience Index base score and subscores for your computer. If you have recently upgraded your hardware and want to find out if your score has changed, click Update my score. If you don't see subscores and a base score, click Score this computer.

This image shows the WEI scores for the computer I used to write this column:

cont on link

fpopic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

i have the same problem.
I had 1x2GB 800mhz (kingmax) ddr2 , and then i bought one stick more
now i have 2x2gb of same memory, but my windows 7 x64 says it is only 3,0 of 4Gb

And that is all you're going to get with that motherboard unless it has the memory re-mapping option in the bios, which I doubt it does with that old SiS chipset (SiS 671/ 968) in it that only supports up to 4 GB of ram,

Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia

Your problem is a hardware limitation, and nothing to do with Windows,

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

scroll down to the Workaround section and change the 8 to a 4 here,

Quote:

Note When the physical RAM that is installed on a computer equals the address space that is supported by the chipset, the total system memory that is available to the operating system is always less than the physical RAM that is installed. For example, consider a computer that has an Intel 975X chipset that supports 8 GB of address space. If you install 8 GB of RAM, the system memory that is available to the operating system will be reduced by the PCI configuration requirements. In this scenario, PCI configuration requirements reduce the memory that is available to the operating system by an amount that is between approximately 200 MB and approximately 1 GB. The reduction depends on the configuration.

and it explains why you're not getting the full 4 GB.

Basically without the memory re-map option in a situation like yours and as described in that link, you will have the same amount of memory available whether you run 32 bit or 64 bit Windows.

Guest

so I need to change some advanced options in bios, do I need maybe update it to newer version and what is the safer way to do it ?

my bios version is:
ami 080014
06/08/2007
512 KB

GeneO

�� Quote: Originally Posted by anchit

i have win pro 64 bit with 4gb ram it says only 3063 usable. i think that my graphics card is using the rest as hardware reserved memory how to reclaim that 1 gb of memory??

A 64 bit system should be able to see all 4 GB if your MB and BIOS support remapping. Why don;'t you fill in your system spec. We could then help you better. Gene

fpopic

how?
I don't understand you can you step-by-step me

stormy13

There is nothing to change as the chipset on your motherboard only supports up to 4 GB of memory,

PC Chipsets > Desktop PC Chipsets > Intel Core 2 Duo Chipsets > SiS671

Quote:

Single Channel Memory Controller
- Supports DDR2-667/533/400
- Supports two DIMMs
- Up to 2GB per DIMM with maximum memory size up to 4GB

And unless it is an undocumented addition a bios update won't help because all the last one for it did is add support for a few more CPU's over the original bios,

Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia

fpopic

so there is no way to use full 2x2gb's memory or ..

stormy13

Short of a motherboard that does support more than 4 GB or ram, no.

GeneO

�� Quote: Originally Posted by stormy13

There is nothing to change as the chipset on your motherboard only supports up to 4 GB of memory,

PC Chipsets > Desktop PC Chipsets > Intel Core 2 Duo Chipsets > SiS671

Quote:

Single Channel Memory Controller
- Supports DDR2-667/533/400
- Supports two DIMMs
- Up to 2GB per DIMM with maximum memory size up to 4GB

And unless it is an undocumented addition a bios update won't help because all the last one for it did is add support for a few more CPU's over the original bios,

Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia

Ah, for some reason I couldn't see his system spec. Must be the beta Firefox Your chipset/MB needs to be able to support at least 8GB of memory for remapping. Sorry, you are out of luck - your graphics device is using some of your 4GB space and you can't do any better with the chipset/MB you have.

fpopic

but what if I buy external 128mb graphic card

andyparks

It will make it better but might still not see 4 gig what's the psu in the tower

fpopic

it is bad noname 400w

andyparks

The psu is ok for a small graphics card and it would free up some memory

brianzion

have you looked in system configuration? type msconfig in start menu search box and click on msconfig in results to see what windows has allocated your ram at see my snapshot. also type resmon in start menu search box and click on resmon and you will see resource monitor as in other snapshot

fpopic

i tried that but everything is same

brianzion

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

i tried that but everything is same

can you post a screenshot of resmon?

GeneO

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

but what if I buy external 128mb graphic card

That won't make a difference.

yowanvista

The cause is most probably the graphic card which is allocated 1GB as hardware reserved memory, a system BIOS update might help but there is nothing you can do about that unusable 1GB

fpopic

yowanvista

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

The 1GB is reserved for your Graphic card

brianzion

@yowanvista

bit confused over the memory specs?

yowanvista

�� Quote: Originally Posted by brianzion

@yowanvista

bit confused over the memory specs?

Nope, the snips indicate 4GB of physical RAM, 3GB of useable RAM and 1GB of hardware memory

stormy13

You missed this back on page 1,

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

i have the same problem.
I had 1x2GB 800mhz (kingmax) ddr2 , and then i bought one stick more
now i have 2x2gb of same memory, but my windows 7 x64 says it is only 3,0 of 4Gb used.
I have indicated 128mb card

And it isn't all going to the onboard video, the rest of the 1 GB is taken by everything else that requires address space. fpopic forgot to update his specs.

brianzion

thats what i thought guys thanks fpopic specs are wrong and why i suggested posting a resource monitor screenshot to help out

fpopic

yes, sorry I forgot it. Will this information help to solve my problem ?

brianzion

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

yes, sorry I forgot it. Will this information help to solve my problem ?

the information of the machine you post about in the forums will speed up the help to diagnose the root of the problem or querry you are having. here is a link to a program called speccy (which is a free program) it will give you a good system readout. Speccy - Download

fpopic

Speccy:

Code:

Name    SyncMaster on SiS Mirage 3 Graphics             Current Resolution    1680x1050 pixels             Work Resolution    1680x1004 pixels             State    enabled, primary, output devices support             Monitor Width    1680             Monitor Height    1050             Monitor BPP    32 bits per pixel             Monitor Frequency    60 Hz             Device    \\.\DISPLAY1\Monitor0          SiS Mirage 3 Graphics             Memory    128 MB             Memory type    2             Driver version    7.14.10.5290

brianzion

as the other guys have stated you are stuck with the dedication of the ram, are you having really bad performance issues if you are running processor hungry programs if not needed shut them down turn aero off and see if performance goes up.

fpopic

no, PC works fine but I only wanted to use full capacity of ram,

brianzion

have you tried using a flash drive to use readyboost? Understand ReadyBoost and whether it will Speed Up your System readyboost windows 7 performance

fpopic

i have never heard for readyboost, I'll google it but does this have sth to do with overcloocking (because i don't need that)

stormy13

�� Quote: Originally Posted by fpopic

I only wanted to use full capacity of ram,

Which unfortunately due to the 4 GB hardware limitation, you are using it all.

brianzion

no have a read of the link i posted you last post.

Seeker619

Physical memory allocation in Windows 7

The following table shows how the Resource Monitor categorizes the memory currently installed on a Windows 7-based computer.
Collapse this tableExpand this table

Memory allocationDescriptionHardware ReservedMemory that is reserved for use by the BIOS and some drivers for other peripheralsIn UseMemory that is used by process, drivers, or the operating systemModifiedMemory whose contents must go to disk before it can be used for another purposeStandbyMemory that contains cached data and code that is not actively in useFreeMemory that does not contain any valuable data and that will be used first when processes, drivers, or the operating system need more memory
Note To view how the installed memory is allocated in Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Click StartCollapse this imageExpand this image
   
   
   , type resource monitor in the Search programs and files box, and then click Resource Monitor in the Programs list.
2. Click the Memory tab, and then view the Physical Memory section at the bottom of the page.

Memory status in Windows 7

The following table defines the Resource Monitors current reported status of the installed memory on a Windows 7-based computer.
Collapse this tableExpand this table

Memory allocationDescriptionAvailable Amount of memory (including standby and free memory) that is immediately available for use by processes, drivers, and the operating system Cached Amount of memory (including standby and modified memory) that contains cached data and code for rapid access by processes, drivers, and the operating system Total Amount of physical memory that is available to the operating system, device drivers, and processes Installed Amount of physical memory installed in the computer
Windows 7 memory reporting

Windows 7 reports how much physical memory is currently installed on your computer. Windows NT-based operating systems before Windows Vista Service P1 report how much memory is available to the operating system. The available memory reported in these earlier versions of Windows does not include hardware reserved memory. This is a reporting change only.

You will see this reporting change in Windows Vista SP1 and later versions of Windows in the following locations:

• The RAM value in Welcome Center
• The Memory value at the bottom of the My Computer windows
• The Memory value in the System Properties windows
• The Total amount of system memory value of the View and Print Details page of the Performance Information and Tools item in Control Panel

Additionally, the System Information tool (Msinfo32.exe) displays the following entries on the System Summary page:

• Installed Physical Memory (RAM)
• Total Physical Memory
• Available Physical Memory

The reporting in the following diagnostic tool has not changed:

• The Performance tab in Task Manager

When the physical RAM that is installed on a computer equals the address space that is supported by the chipset, the total system memory that is available to the operating system is always less than the physical RAM that is installed.

For example, consider a computer that has an Intel 975X chipset that supports 8 GB of address space. If you install 8 GB of RAM, the system memory that is available to the operating system will be reduced by the PCI configuration requirements. In this example, PCI configuration requirements reduce the memory that is available to the operating system by an amount that is between approximately 200 MB and approximately 1 GB. The reduction depends on the configuration.
Physical memory limits in Windows 7

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for the different versions of Windows 7.
Collapse this tableExpand this table

VersionLimit in 32-bit WindowsLimit in 64-bit WindowsWindows 7 Ultimate 4 GB 192 GB Windows 7 Enterprise 4 GB 192 GB Windows 7 Professional 4 GB 192 GB Windows 7 Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB Windows 7 Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB Windows 7 Starter 2 GB 2 GB