Odd issue with RAM 6.98 GB usable?

antonusklesk · 20 Oct 2012 at 12:39

This is the system in my sig; I noticed today while in system properties that windows reports 8.00GB of RAM (6.98 GB usable).

It was not always like this that's what made me notice it, although I can't be sure how long it's been this way.

I've Googled as best as I can, updated to the latest BIOS, there is no setting available to enable memory mapping, windows is up to date, memory appears correctly in BIOS and CPUZ.

The case hasn't been moved or anything so I'm at a loss as to what could be causing it, any ideas or experience of something similar?

mickyflinn · 20 Oct 2012 at 12:46

Go into task manger and click on performance you will see how much is being used and how much is available.

The reason is that some memory is being cached and some being used for processes.

antonusklesk · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:00

Ah yes it has 998 listed as cached under the performance tab.

So this is just normal? Has this always been there and I'm going slightly insane only having just spotted it?

biuro74 · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:10

It's normal. Your operating system must live somehow - and it lives in memory, consuming it

mickyflinn · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:29

Insane is in fashion :eek:

antonusklesk · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:32

Thanks for that, although I'm sure that hasn't always been there......sanity check complete

And self-slap on the wrist for wrong forum!

wazza300 · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:34

It's not normal? Should'nt say anything (usable) it should just list 8gb of ram,

racerboy59 · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:38

No, if it says that in system properties thats because you have other components which are using system RAM as their own memory source. For example integrated graphics (you can specify how much RAM it will use in the BIOS), sometimes audio devices as well.

areksnumbr1sxylady · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:41

search for dxdiag, it will say there how much of total ram you have.

wazza300 · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:42

You only get that if there's a memory voltage issue or bent CPU pins or a faulty ram stick,regardless of using onboard graphics,on system info page it should just say 8gb memory

areksnumbr1sxylady · 20 Oct 2012 at 13:57

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I have 8gb of ram and it says so here....

This is dxdiag, I was talking about few minutes ago.

Orcvader · 20 Oct 2012 at 14:04

Mine just says 8gb without the usable part.

Do you have the integrated graphics on the 2500K enabled? Could be that.

BrianB · 20 Oct 2012 at 14:10

Yeah, I was going to say surely it's being used my the onboard graphics memory?

wazza300 · 20 Oct 2012 at 14:33

it should say/show this,anything else points to a memory problem,could be memory remapping or onboard gpu in bios but even so it should still show 8gb and no usable

antonusklesk · 20 Oct 2012 at 17:48

Hmm, in light of the new info that this is actually not normal I'm flummoxed once again.

Dxdiag says there's 8192MB RAM as it should. My motherboard is a P67A which if I remember right doesn't support integrated graphics and I've seen no settings to suggest otherwise in the BIOS.

I thought it looked different in the properties menu, previously it just listed 8.00 GB as in wazza's post.

-edit-

I've cracked it. Went into MSconfig, in the boot tab > advanced settings, maximum memory was ticked and set to 0 for some unknown reason. Unticking it followed by a reboot and it's showing 8.00GB again as it should.

Most odd, the only thing I can think is that I recently brought Windows up to date with all the available updates and one of them has done something, although I've never seen an update do something like that before.