RAM and how much do I have ?

Message

Fausto · #1 Post by **Fausto** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:22 pm

I have 512 MB of RAM on this computer and under 'system' it says exactly that.
However on my Mothers laptop which has 256MB it displays as 190 odd. Her laptop is incredibly slow !
A mate also has 512MB in his PC but that displays as 450 odd and is also very slow.

Question 1 - Why the discrepancy in the amounts displayed and installed?

Question 2 - Is this a fault with the RAM and can I test this?

Question 3 - Could this be a reason for sluggishness?

Anybody ?

wavey · #2 Post by **wavey** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:15 pm

Hi
The RAM discrepancy is normal it just means that the video card is built into the motherboard and does not have it's own memory, so it takes it from the system RAM. So 256mb minus 64mb for the video card = 192mb.

If you are using XP I would suggest a minimum of 512mb, preferably 1gb or more, if using Vista, at least 1gb, preferably 3/4gb

Low memory = sluggishness

Dave

Fausto · #3 Post by **Fausto** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:09 pm

Ah, thanks Dave, that makes perfect sense. I have a graphics card - the other 2 don't.

Agreed on min 512 for XP. I plan to upgrade the laptop soon.

Thanks once again.

Aladinsaneuk · #4 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:25 pm

vista home, i believe will not see/use over 3gb...

for xp, i say 1gb, for vista 2gb - as ram is dirt cheap now, ramp it up

Tweaker · #5 Post by **Tweaker** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:32 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:vista home, i believe will not see/use over 3gb...
for vista 2gb - as ram is dirt cheap now, ramp it up

or, better still, leave Vista in the scrap bin.....

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:46 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:vista home, i believe will not see/use over 3gb...

for xp, i say 1gb, for vista 2gb - as ram is dirt cheap now, ramp it up

Nah XP needs at least 512MB - 1GB is better .... you'll have problems running in only 1Gb = 128MB

.... sorry - the pedant in me strikes again ........

Fausto · #7 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:17 pm

D-Rider wrote:
Aladinsaneuk wrote:vista home, i believe will not see/use over 3gb...

for xp, i say 1gb, for vista 2gb - as ram is dirt cheap now, ramp it up
Nah XP needs at least 512MB - 1GB is better .... you'll have problems running in only 1Gb = 128MB

.... sorry - the pedant in me strikes again ........

Strewth. As if it's not complicated enough already without techy in jokes.