New Memory: 512 installed, but 448 usable?

[akira666]

Hey guys, my cousin recently bought a very cheap PC that apparently comes with 512meg ram installed.

Trouble is, on the Boot up screen it's displayed as 448meg of RAM, in Windows it appears as 448 as well, in My Computer and DXDiag.

When I check within BIOS it appears as:

512 Installed
448 Usable

Did my cousin get conned with a Memory stick that's programmed to display 512meg in BIOS but only has 448megs??

Somewhat confused, as i've never seen such a memory status.

 

[Wrathamon]

Is it using onboard graphics, which is set to use 64meg in the bios?

Edit: If it is a 'very cheap' PC then I guess the answer is yes, and it is using onboard graphics which will use up some of the RAM...

 

[akira666]

Ahh! that explains all mate

Thanks for quick reply - he chucked his old graphics card away. the muppet!