Available Memory (RAM)

[Forseti]

My PC (now running Windows 7) indicates that I have 4GB of installed memory (RAM) but that only 2.75GB is usable. Can anyone throw any light on why only 2.75GB from the installed 4GB is available? It was the same when running XP but seeing this has served to remind me that I meant to ask this question some time ago.

[chris-p]

There are a couple of potential reasons.

First of all, are you running 32 or 64 bit? If it's 32 bit then you're stuck as a certain amount of RAM is sequestered by W7 for hardware processes.
If you're running 64 bit then you would be able to change the amount that Windows has sequestered away...

You can find out how much RAM is reserved for hardware by opening the resource monitor (type "resource monitor" into the search box on the start menu - thats probably easiest as Microsoft tend to hide it away) click on the memory tab and you should see something like this...



That will be a start...

[chris-p]

Oh, THIS is a useful article on it as well...

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by chris-p

You can find out how much RAM is reserved for hardware by opening the resource monitor (type "resource monitor" into the search box on the start menu - thats probably easiest as Microsoft tend to hide it away) click on the memory tab and you should see something like this....

Yes don't they LOL. I would never have thought to type in resource monitor and in fact first tried the old Ctrl+Alt+Del method without any success of course.

Unfortunately, whilst my system is good for either 32 or 64 bit according to the W7 advisor that I installed, a lot of my precious plug-ins are only good for 32 bit at this time so I'm stuck with running 32 bit at this time. I shall review the situation in a year or two taking into consideration system hardware requirements for any application upgrades that I might consider. By that time though I may well be in need of a new PC/Mac so we'll see.

Thanks for the links - some very useful info there.

[chris-p]

Glad it was of some use

[KeithT]

I have just had my new computer built locally for me. Same price as DELL, but easier to get sorted if need be. I went for windows 7 pro finally, 32 bit with 4 gig RAM and expect 3.5 gig. I will be doing the install tomorrow so I will see what mine shows.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Forseti

I would never have thought to type in resource monitor and in fact first tried the old Ctrl+Alt+Del method without any success of course.

Ctrl+Alt+Del brings up the Task Manager, and the bottom of the window tell you how much ram you are using as a percentage. If you select the performance tab, it has a button to open the Resource Monitor.

[KeithT]

Just to update my post: my available RAM on my machine is 3.25 from a total of 4 gig, so not far off my expectations. My machine is only a couple of days old and was built for me to my own spec with the latest Intel Core i3-540 processor, and it runs like a dream. I chose 32 bit, as my own personal thoughts on running 64 bit is that it really is overkill unless you are into some heavy gaming or downloading heaps of music and movies. I just surf and edit my images in a non-professional environment so 32 bit is plenty fast enough for me. Besides, it will be some time before manufacturers us 64 bit as their prime platform for hardware and software. By that time I might be too old to bother anyway, or ready for another computer upgrade.