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    Physical RAM much less than Installed RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Pipper, May 28, 2009.

  1. Pipper

    Pipper Notebook Consultant

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    I have a new HDX18t, Vista 64 bit, with 8gb of RAM. System Information shows Installed Memory as 8gb, but Total Physical Memory is 3gb. Available Memory is about 5 to 6gb (which is understandable).

    Is there some kind of glitch in the way that System Info is reporting the RAM? I believe that Vista 32 bit users can't utilize more than 4gb, but 64 bit users shouldn't have this issue. My System Info shows that I have 64 bit Vista.
     
    Pipper, May 28, 2009
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  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I am pretty sure the chipset is limiting your memory usage.
    The PM45 chipset on certain systems limit the memory support to 6.8gb,
    Have you tried upgrading the BIOS to the latest revision. Maybe a newer revision supports a higher amount of memory

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 28, 2009
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  3. Pipper

    Pipper Notebook Consultant

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    I've held off upgrading the BIOS because a number of people have had problems with the new BIOS. I think that a revision just came out yesterday, so maybe I'll give it a try. I wonder why my Total Physical Memory is only showing 3gb?

    Thanks!
     
    Pipper, May 28, 2009
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  4. Pipper

    Pipper Notebook Consultant

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    FYI, I upgraded my BIOS, and it showed 2.97gb of Total Physical Memory, but then I upgraded to SP2, and it now shows 6.97gb.

    Thanks for the help!
     
    Pipper, May 28, 2009
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Interesting.
    So the BIOS most likely supported the 6-8gb of memory, but the operating system did not.
    Well I am glad you figured it out. 7gb is a lot of memory for a laptop

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 28, 2009
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  6. RainMotorsports

    RainMotorsports Formerly ClutchX2

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    There shouldn't be any differentiation in need of ram for a desktop over a laptop. RAM amount fits particular applications. I personally cant wait for 8GB kits of DDR2 800Mhz to drop in price. It will be plenty for me I can deal with the 4GB for now though these days I haven't been doing enough work to need it.

    Nice to see software using gpu and gpu ram as well will make things easier I need to update my arsenal. Not getting paid right now so no reason to get new tools.
     
    RainMotorsports, May 28, 2009
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  7. PcTestCard.com

    PcTestCard.com Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have seen the OS/service pack causing the problem besides the BIOS.

    The laptop we have is a AMD x3 cored, different OS recongnize different speed CPU as well, not just RAM physical amount.

    Hope this helps!
    Bill
     
    PcTestCard.com, May 28, 2009
    #7