What's with Win 7 and RAM?

[kentuckyranger]

I just purchased some new RAM for my desktop to speed up my system for video and photo editing.
I installed 24gig filling up all 6 slots on the motherboard.

When I booted the computer up I went to computer properties and it shows 24gig of physical RAM of which 16gig is usable, huh?

I know win 7 64bit allocates some memory for hardware etc, but why so much?
I've also read that some of the memory allocation has to do with the GPU and how much RAM it has.

I've looked at the BIOS but there isn't allot I can do there.

I guess my question is, is this a normal scenario and if so, would upgrading my video card let go of some of the RAM being allocated to hardware?

The system is running fine and it has made things run faster and smoother, I guess I just with more of the RAM was mine, LOL!

 

[Ubrales]

Just yesterday I noticed a similar issue on my Win7 desktop computer. Total installed 12 GBs, usable 10 GBs.

I ran "msconfig" and adjusted the settings. Working fine now.

Here is the solution: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978610

 

[kentuckyranger]

Thanks for the link. I've done all that but it still says only 16gig are usable.
I think it has to do with my minimal video card.
I'll see in the next couple of weeks because I'm going to get a new one.