Question about usable memory vs Installed Memory?

Question

Hi, 

Why is it that many computers running Windows ( Windows 7 especially) use a less portion of the actual RAM that is installed. For example, I have an Intel Dual Core with 2 GB of RAM, after installing Windows 7 I see that 2 GB is installed but only 1.75 GB is usable. I have heard that apparently the missing RAM is going to your video card and that  it is completely normal. Many people are having this issues, some say they solved it by editing some options on the BIOS or by updating their BIOS. Do you have any comments or solutions towards this madness because I can't find a concrete answer on the web. Thank You.

Ben · Answer

Actually, Windows 7 uses more of the installed memory than Vista. The missing 256MB is *required* for your integrated video card- if it doesn't get that memory, you don't get to see stuff on the screen. The people who can really control that amount are the ones with discrete (separate) video cards.

? · Answer

Nope. 32bit systems can only use around 3gb RAM. Readyboost might give you some in the form of Virtual RAM but this isn't nearly as efficient. Get an upgrade :P

Anonymous · Answer

The system will detect less than total memory because of address space allocation for other critical functions, such as:

- System BIOS (including motherboard, add-on cards, etc..)
- Motherboards resources
- Memory mapped I/O
- configuration for AGP/PCI-Ex/PCI
- Other memory allocations for PCI devices
 
Different onboard devices and different add-on cards (devices) will result of different total memory size. 
e.g. more PCI cards installed will require more memory resources, resulting of less memory free for other uses.

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Question about usable memory vs Installed Memory?

3 Answers