Installed memory 4GB (3.00 Usable)

Mansoor Alam · May 20, 2013

Hello,
I have a problem which many of the people have but I want to find a better and quick answer to my exact problem.
First of all, the problem is this
I have a Custom-built Desktop PC with the following specs.
Intel Dual Core Processor @ 2.00Ghz
RAM 4.00 GB (3.00 GB usable)
Graphic card: Nvidea Geforce 9400 GT.

So, the problem is as you can see, I have recently installed 4 GB Ram in my computer, When I open my BIOS it detects both the RAM sticks-i.e- 2GB, 2GB each (they are a model of HP) (the RAMs are DDR2). But when I start my windows 7 and open the system properties, it says that only 3.00 GB is usable. And the problem for this is certainly not a bad RAM because 3 GBis usable so 1 GB of the supposedly bad RAM stick is usable.
However, I found the problem when I open my "Resource Monitor", where in the memory tab it says that 1096 MB is "Hardware Reserved". This is too much as many other computers have only 2 mb or near to it "Hardware Reserved". I really need to solve it. Here are some points.

-Actually my mother board manual says that only 2 GB is supported but I heard that that limit isn't necessary to follow, and 3 GB is usable so it is already exceeding the limit.
-I have windows 7 32-bit, which has a limit of 4GB and since I am not exceeding that , then that should not be the problem.
-Some forums said that it might have been shared by the video adapter, but since it is a External one, then that shouldn't be the problem.
-Many recommend to Update the BIOS, I haven't yet done that. But before that, I wanted to tell that my BIOS detects both the RAMs, It deosn't specifically say how much is usable, it just says the a total of 4096 is installed with 2gb in each.
-AND the msconfig>boot>Advanced Options>unchecking thee Maximum Memory doesn't work.
-Previosly I hade 1gb 1gb RAMs and in that case there was no such issue.

Plz answer urgently and basically I need to decide wether it is a software (Windows) problem or a Hardare or BIOS problem?

Novuake · May 20, 2013

Windows can only address a total of 4GB of RAM,, some of which will be reserved for graphics, HDD/CPU and other caching. There is nothing that you can do.

apache_lives · May 20, 2013

in that 4gb limit you also have to factor in reserved memory addresses and things like video memory

there is plenty on google about all this - google it

32 bit is dead just move up to 64 bit already

littleleo · May 20, 2013

Are you by chance using a 32 bit O/S? If so then your limited to 3GB due to Memory addressing issues, to go higher use the 64bit version of Windows 7.

xomm · May 20, 2013

Get a 64-bit OS. Simple as that.

jkay6969 · May 20, 2013

I believe the problem lies in the Software side of things, specifically the version of Windows 7 you are running.

The question is are you running 32bit Windows 7 or 64bit?

If you are running 32bit Windows 7 then the maximum addressable system memory is 4GB TOTAL, including System RAM and Graphics RAM.

For instance, If you have 4GB RAM and 1GB on your Graphics card then Windows 7 32bit will be able to utilize 1GB Graphics RAM and 3GB system RAM.

The solution is to firstly check your CPU is 64bit compatible (CONTROL PANEL/SYSTEM) If your CPU is 64bit compatible then you should purchase the 64bit version of Windows 7 and install it. This will allow your PC to utilize ALL system resources, i.e. 4GB System RAM AND 1GB Graphics Card RAM.

If you are running 64bit windows then it could be that your Motherboard has an onboard Graphics Card and 1GB of your System RAM is being used by it. This will happen even if you have a Discrete Graphics Card installed in your PC. If you have a Physical Graphics Card in your PC and don't use the onboard one, then you will need to enter the BIOS (on my PC this is done by repeatedly pressing the 'DELETE' key when I switch on my PC. While in the BIOS go through the settings looking for 'Dedicated Video Memory' or 'Integrated Graphics Share Memory' or similar and set to 0mb, disabled or to the lowest setting available. This will then free up this valuable system RAM for use in Windows.

Is your Graphics Card actually an onboard Graphics Card and not a Discrete Card (To check, look at where your screen connects to the PC, does it connect where your USB Ports, LAN Port and Audio jacks are or is it connected to a card in one of the slots (There should be about 7 slots for expansion cards on the back of your PC) If it's onboard your screen will connect to your PC where your USB, Audio and LAN ports are, if it's a Discrete Card then it'll connect to a card in one of the 7 slots.

If it's an onboard card then I wouldn't change any settings and just live with the fact that 1GB is being used by that and at least it's not being wasted, ignored or broken

Mansoor Alam · May 20, 2013

Thank you all for your quick response,
First of all, I am running Windows 7 32-bit.
Second, I have a dedicated graphic card with 512 mb which connect below the USB port, so it is not a shared one. and in the bios I have limited its memory to thr lowest, So then Why would it need so much of my RAM to be reserved?
AND can someone plz tell me if my system will support Windows 7 - 64-bit?

xomm · May 20, 2013

Mansoor Alam :

It's a general limitation with 32-bit operating systems.
Go to System Properties (Start Menu -> Right Click 'Computer' -> Properties) and tell us what processor you have.

Mansoor Alam · May 20, 2013

xomm :

I have done this, and as stated earlier in my original question post, it is
Intel Dual Core Processor @ 2.00Ghz 2.00Ghz

xomm · May 20, 2013

Mansoor Alam :

We need the actual model number. There are lots of Intel dual core processors.
Check Device Manager, under processors to see if there's a model number listed. If not, download, install and run CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/1.64-setup-en.exe

That should tell you the exact model number when you run it.

Mansoor Alam · May 20, 2013

xomm :

Ok, I will do that as soon as I get to my PC, right now I am on my Laptop.
Before that I want to ask a few more questions. At first I just had 1 gb ram installed on my PC with no problem, then I upgraded to 2 gb by inserting another 1 gb RAM, now after installing 2x2gb rams, it is casuing the issue. Why wasn't the windows 32-bit reserving the same amount of Memory (a whole 1 gb ) before, as it is now? and everywhere on the internet it says that this is too much and it should be somewhat near 10 or 20 MB

Mansoor Alam · May 21, 2013

Ok, the Name of the CPU is
Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz 2.00GHz

xomm · May 21, 2013

Mansoor Alam :

That is a 64-bit processor, and can use 64-bit OSes: http://ark.intel.com/products/31733/Intel-Pentium-Processor-E2180-1M-Cache-2_00-GHz-800-MHz-FSB
As for how Windows reserves memory, I don't know enough to give you a conclusive answer. Someone else probably will.

apache_lives · May 21, 2013

judging by your information YES your CPU is 64-bit

Mansoor Alam · May 21, 2013

One more quick update, I removed one of the two 2 GB rams and inserted one of my older 1 GB RAM stick to make is 3.00 GB installed. NOW when I open the system properties it says 3.00 GB ram (without mentioning how much is usable) and the resource monitior tell that 3 MB is Hardware reserved.
But I am still going to upgrade to Win7 64-bit as soon as possible and see the result.

apache_lives · May 21, 2013

pro tip: dont worry about all that reserved memory, its normal

Novuake · May 21, 2013

littleleo :

apache_lives :

Yeah i tried saying that. I have an old PC laying around with only 2.8GB available despite 4 GB installed. Seems like people are not willing to handle the truth.

newcdn · May 22, 2013

In addition to a 64-bit capable CPU, your motherboard also needs to have 64-bit support.

apache_lives · May 22, 2013

newcdn :

they say that but its all BS

it will work fine

Mansoor Alam · May 25, 2013

WELL...This is pissing me off! I Installed the 64-bit Windows 7 and it didn't work still the same issue...still 1 gb is reserved for hardware....but I think I now know where it is going...my graphics card....because I checked my graphic cards approx memory using dxiag with 2 gb ram and it was something like 1200 mb and after 4 gb ram it is increased to around 1700 MB. AND my BIOS does not have any memory remampping option so I think I am stcuk with it

any other option? and will this RAM being used up by my graphichs card be helpful?
And I guess the Jkay6969's answer was the best.

WHAT DO I DO?!! How do I tell my Graphic card not to use so much of my RAM?!!!! and again this problem is not with 3 gb installed or 2 gb installed ....

AND IT IS NOT AN ON-BOARD GRAPHICS CARD IT IS A DISCRETE GRAPHICS CARD : NVIDEA GEFORCE 9400 GT

apache_lives · May 25, 2013

is your 9400GT a "turbocache" edition - check with GPUZ how much memory the card actually has

"hypermemory" "turbocache" and "shared" memory cards steal RAM

Mansoor Alam · May 26, 2013

apache_lives :

Yeah ok before that just see this......http://postimg.org/image/q9c9bm2q9/

So the harware reserved memory is being used by my DEDICATED graphics card

WTH! I need this 1 gb because for video games

and here is the GPUZ report http://postimg.org/image/761rm4zn1/

Novuake · May 26, 2013

Mansoor Alam :

That reserved memory is actually helping you in gaming. An extra 1GB will not help you play games that the 9400GT can not play. Its an ancient GPU.

apache_lives · May 26, 2013

agreed - any lag in games is not because of 3gb of ram, the extra 1gb will do next to nothing

your whole system just wont cut it for games its all around the same low end spec

you need a new rig if you want to game

Mansoor Alam · May 26, 2013

Novuake :

, plz tell me will this increased memory in my graphic card instead of my actual system Memory be helpful in anyway for me especially in gaming.?
I mean if the system requirement of game says
4 gb RAM
512 mb graphic
and in this case I do have the 512 Graphic RAM but not enough System RAM...

Installed memory 4GB (3.00 Usable)

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