Is my computer actually using all 12 gigs of ram?

Wolfine21 · Mar 2, 2017

I have been having issues on my computer where when I use around 3 gigs of memory, my task manager says I'm using 50-60% of my total memory. But when I look at my system via the control panel, it detects that I have all 12 gigs. Is there something eating up all my memory that doesn't appear on the task manager, or is my computer just not using all 12 gigs, for whatever reason?

Below are images that may be of help. I would really appreciate any help with this, because I've been picking around for ages and nothing's worked. It's been 3 years, and I hardly even noticed this happening.

Colif · Mar 2, 2017

What does your ram show up like on the performance tab of Task manager?

You might have a memory leak caused by a misbehaving driver, you might have better luck with more details

Download Process explorer and run it as admin (it comes from Microsoft so its safe)

the default view is tree structure meaning like your task manager screen, it will show what processes are under each service, but unlike the other one, it shows the ram usage of each part so you can see what is eating your ram/memory

Private bytes = actual ram usage
Working set = Ram + page file usage << likely to find problem here

This page shows what all the colours and headings mean, link at bottom of it shows how to use it to find problems. You can right click processes and run an av scan from within the program.

Wolfine21 · Mar 2, 2017

So is there more details you'd like me to bring to you by using Process Explorer? I'm not sure what else to do with all this info. I can find what's using a lot of memory, yes, but it's all stuff I've been using for a long time.

EDIT: Pics of my memory on the task manager, and the amount I'm using currently with a game and several chrome tabs open.

Colif · Mar 2, 2017

edit.. you beat me to my request lol

Sort of need to watch it and see if anything is growing over time as its likely something is taking ram/memory and not releasing it once it stops needing it. Drivers can ask for memory and never release it once they finish and your PC has only so much it can commit before it runs out.

It might not just be ram, PC classifies memory as ram + page file. So if something is chewing up page file you can run out of memory with free ram.

Colif · Mar 2, 2017

well, you really are using 8gb and 4gb is just your user.. when was last time you did a restart?

what version of windows are you on? it looks like win 10 but your headings are different to mine...

how have you got 12gb of ram with 2 sticks used? PC knows its got 12gb and it shows its got about that free so however you have it made up its not a problem.

Your top picture, the one showing memory usage on processes seems too short. I have way more processes etc open and am not using anywhere near 4gb on my user (only 1159mb) though most of them only add up to 10mb or less each.

Wolfine21 · Mar 2, 2017

I just did a restart a couple hours ago at the most, and I shut down my PC every day. Also, I'm not sure how I have 12 gigs of ram with two sticks. My PC is store-bought, and the only thing I've changed is the graphics card and power supply.

Also, windows 8.1 64 bit.

It is short. I just put that picture there for the math, just to show that not all 12 gigs of ram was being used. But I'm using 70% now that I have a game open.

Colif · Mar 2, 2017

I had to ask about the 12gb, its possibly reason why PC thinks its running out at 3gb but then it also sees you have 12 and hardware reserved amount is about normal.

Yes, well, games will use it but still. Most I have ever used is 11gb playing Civ 5

BadActor · Mar 3, 2017

I have noticed similar problems stemming from the latest updated version of the Chrome browser. It seems to be a large resource hog and is poor about managing memory. When having a number of tabs open, memory usage shoots up, and even closing all tabs doesn't bring the usage in task manager back down. Do you use Chrome by chance? Have you run a number of Malware or Adware cleaners lately to make sure you have no infections?

Vic 40 · Mar 3, 2017

BadActor :

Wolfine21 :

Seems he does.

Maybe try Firefox and see if you have the same problems.

Maybe for some hardware specs you could do the next,

download hwinfo32,
install and open it=click run,
close the top window which is the system summary,
at the left top click "save report",
at the bottom of the next window check "short text report",
after that you'll see what's in the pc,
copy by clicking "copy to clipboard" and rightclick+paste in your next respons

might give more info about the motherboard and ram,maybe a bios update is available,maybe it also gives some info about what ram is used.

Colif · Mar 3, 2017

I use Chrome myself, have 15 processes running with only 3 tabs (addons get a process each though), 2 of them are biggest memory users on PC right now but that is normal, its either chrome of Bitdefender at top for me.

No point trying Opera as it used the chrome engine now. I think edge is about the same.

I don't know if you have a problem really as unless PC is actually reporting out of memory errors, your PC is using the ram as its meant to. Empty unused ram is wasted ram (he says with 11.9gb free). If you have problems, close the browser while you play, used to have to turn all other programs off to play things (but that was on 32bit)

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