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    Available Physical Memory is only 1.81 GB, even though I have 3GB of RAM

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dragooon, Apr 20, 2008.

  1. dragooon

    dragooon Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think it is something to do with my graphics card but I want to know if this is at all detrimental to performance outside gaming. Is there a way I can stop my graphics card using system memory? Would that be desirable?

    [​IMG]

    Thanks :eek:
     
    dragooon, Apr 20, 2008
    #1
  2. lqaddict

    lqaddict Notebook Consultant

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    Go to task manager -> performance -> resource monitor and see what is using your memory and how much of it.
    From the looks of it - it is normal.
     
    lqaddict, Apr 20, 2008
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  3. SmoothTofu

    SmoothTofu Inspiron 1420 Owner

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    Regular system tasks have the priority over the GPU, so if the computer needs the RAM it will take it from what the GPU is using. Nothing to worry about.
     
    SmoothTofu, Apr 20, 2008
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  4. dragooon

    dragooon Notebook Enthusiast

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    Had a look and I'm using 1100mb of RAM just running Vista, Firefox, MSN, Antivirus etc. But this doesn't answer my question. Do I really only have 1.8gb of RAM available as if I'm using 1.1gb just running a few light things it wont take much to saturate it.

    Edit: That was @ Iqaddict.
    Thats the info I was asking for SmoothTofu, but if that is the case why does it say 1.81 is available?
     
    dragooon, Apr 20, 2008
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  5. SmoothTofu

    SmoothTofu Inspiron 1420 Owner

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    The 1.81GB figure in your screenshot is what's left remaining of your 3GB of RAM currently, not how much you're starting with. You said you're using about 1.1GB of RAM currently, which added to the remaining 1.81GB equals roughly the 3GB you have.
     
    SmoothTofu, Apr 20, 2008
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  6. lqaddict

    lqaddict Notebook Consultant

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    I am a bit confused with your post
    1.1 + 1.8 is damn close to 3.0
    :confused:
     
    lqaddict, Apr 20, 2008
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  7. dragooon

    dragooon Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh. I feel silly for not realising. Thanks a lot.
     
    dragooon, Apr 20, 2008
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  8. Wraith of Vern

    Wraith of Vern Notebook Consultant

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    I don't know why you are putting those two numbers together because nothing in the post suggests you should.. Re-read what has been said.

    1.8GB is left over after his GPU uses 1.2 of his SYSTEM RAM for Turbocache. Thus 1.8 + 1.2 = 3.0

    He said that 1.1 is the amount he was using when 'surfing' as most call it, so just oin the internet, possibly an IM and some background tasks.

    Now as somebody just explained his GPU will only use that 1.2GB of SYS RAM if it can... but if system tasks need it, they will use it instead.


    Hope that has cleared that up for you.
     
    Wraith of Vern, Apr 20, 2008
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  9. lqaddict

    lqaddict Notebook Consultant

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    I think you should re-read the entire thread.
     
    lqaddict, Apr 20, 2008
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  10. nikosuoa

    nikosuoa Notebook Enthusiast

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    Maybe you should consider an upgrade to windows XP...
     
    nikosuoa, Apr 20, 2008
    #10