Solved Ram 16 GB ( 11.5 GB Usable ) ? 4.5 GB Hardware reserved

BlackStab

New Member
Messages
2
Hi guys

My question is why Windows 8 did take 4.5 GB for hardware only ,,, is that too much ?
My windows 8 is Single Language edition ... The original one that comes with the laptop
I tried to install Pro edition trail version it says 16 GB ( 15.5 GB Usable)


System Manufacturer/Model Number
MSI GX60 1AC
OS
Windows 8
CPU
AMD A10-4600M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, 2300 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
Memory
16 GB Installed
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G & ATI Radeon HD 7970M
 

Attachments

  • HW.JPG
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Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GX60 1AC
    CPU
    AMD A10-4600M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, 2300 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    16 GB Installed
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7660G & ATI Radeon HD 7970M
Hello BlackStab,

From my experience, hardware reserved RAM is somehow connected to the physical memory on your graphics card. So, the more you have on the card, the more RAM will be hardware reserved. Why? I think it has something to do with memory mapping but I'm not equipped to explain that to you (or myself). Anyway, if you have 3GBs of physical memory on your graphics card, then I'm thinking that might be normal; however, if I am incorrect in any way, shape or form, an expert will be along shortly to tear me a new... uh, I mean... will be along shortly to properly assist you.

Now, another thing that could cause a large amount of RAM to be hardware reserved would be an invalid memory configuration. This could occur when one uses double-sided chips in a mobo where only single-sided chips can be addressed. In this case, although it can be recognized, it cannot be addressed, so it is essentially "set aside." Also, a well know example of hardware reservation (in action) would be where you install 4GBs of memory for a 32 bit OS and only 3.xx GBS are usable. This is a different situation from the first example; however, the results are the same. So, in summary, if you don't get a different response from a forum expert and I don't get bashed... I mean corrected for mine, then you can assume you are OK!

Cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I have a couple of desktops running Win8 Pro X64. Both of them have 16GB of RAM. Both report 16GB in the System control panel. (Nothing about "usable" RAM.) One system has a 2GB graphics card; the other, 3GB.

I think that the graphics card issue applies to 32 bit Windows: something to do with an address space limitation. AFAIK, it's not relevant to X64.

I have no explanation for the unavailable 4.5GB. Seems large enough for a RAM disk. Does the laptop seem to have a mysterious 4.5GB hard drive in Computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
hey bobkn,

Would you be so kind to shows us your system specs for the desktops in question and please show us that screenshot that reports 16GB and reports nothing about usable (meaning all 16GBs are usable with absolutely nothing reserved). Also, please make sure to identify those 2 graphics cards that have 2GB and 3GBs respectively.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
One system is in my system specs. The GTX680 is a 2GB version. See the attached screenshot.

System.png

The second system uses a Radeon HD 7970 (3GB) on an Asus P8Z68-V Pro motherboard.

sys2.png

Both graphics cards have the least standard VRAM available. Anymore questions?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
At first the graphic cards were used just when we play play a 3D or high graphics game. Windows 8 has evolved using graphics card with its hardware resources and thus making laptops work faster and in efficient mode. It just uses the parallel computing to make a good use of physical memory.
Also windows keeps some reserved physical ram for windows processes thus no worry about usable ram windows manages it automatically.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony
    CPU
    Sony
    Motherboard
    Sony
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1024 MB
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 10
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hi bobkn,

OK, I think your screenshot has proven my first assumption to be incorrect so you have a REP forthcoming for that; however, can you show me this screenshot on one of your PCs please. I'm specifically interested in you "shared memory allocation" and, based on what I think your logic is, there should be none on your PC. However, if you do have some shared memory, can you please give your thoughts on what you think it is used for? Thanks again!

graphicsmemory.jpg

Oh, and I guess that leaves the OPs memory issue still up in the air; however, I read his post again and I noticed that when he tried Win 8 Pro trial, it report 15.5GB usable so, if I read that correctly, the only difference would be the OS; yes? God luck in finding that one!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks guys for replies ...
sorry for less detailed specifications of my laptop
My laptop is MSI GX60 with A10-4600 and have two GPUs ( ATI 7660G with 512MB & ATI 7970 with 2GB )
Thanks to
norepli I found the detailed spec. of my GPUs and it appears that it shares 5000 MB with ram, so the total is 8 GB ....
I was scared that 4.5 GB are not addressed, but it appears that the GPU uses it.

Thanks guys
 

Attachments

  • HW.JPG
    HW.JPG
    81.1 KB · Views: 484

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GX60 1AC
    CPU
    AMD A10-4600M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, 2300 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    16 GB Installed
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7660G & ATI Radeon HD 7970M
Thanks guys for replies ...
sorry for less detailed specifications of my laptop
My laptop is MSI GX60 with A10-4600 and have two GPUs ( ATI 7660G with 512MB & ATI 7970 with 2GB )
Thanks to
norepli I found the detailed spec. of my GPUs and it appears that it shares 5000 MB with ram, so the total is 8 GB ....
I was scared that 4.5 GB are not addressed, but it appears that the GPU uses it.

Thanks guys

Hey bobkn!

How about them apples; eh?

AND... You are welcome BlackStab! Glad you feel (somewhat) comfortable now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I was scared that 4.5 GB are not addressed, but it appears that the GPU uses it.

Yes ! Dont be afraid.

The RAM usage priority is for the system. If the system run out of resources some of the shared RAM will be liberated.

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Thanks guys for replies ...
sorry for less detailed specifications of my laptop
My laptop is MSI GX60 with A10-4600 and have two GPUs ( ATI 7660G with 512MB & ATI 7970 with 2GB )
Thanks to
norepli I found the detailed spec. of my GPUs and it appears that it shares 5000 MB with ram, so the total is 8 GB ....
I was scared that 4.5 GB are not addressed, but it appears that the GPU uses it.

Thanks guys

Hey bobkn!

How about them apples; eh?

AND... You are welcome BlackStab! Glad you feel (somewhat) comfortable now.

I don't mess with laptops much, and I have no experience with switchable graphics. I'm not sure how much of the RAM above the 2.56GB assigned to the chipset graphics would be designated as unavailable.

I think I'd prefer the RAM Disk.;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
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