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October 31st, 2016 13:00
Usable memory less than installed
Old Dimension 5000, running Windows 10 Pro 64-bit better than it ever did any previous Windows version, quite surprisingly.
What I've always wondered and never fully understood is why usable RAM is less than the physically installed. I know this mobo and chipset is limited to 4Gb, which is installed in the form of 2x2Gb. Both memory sticks are tested and come back 100% ok, and Windows does recognize 4Gb, but reports only 3Gb of it "usable".
Interestingly, when I played with different new video cards for an upgrade, the usable memory varied between 2.25 and 3.25 Gb depending on the card. The card I ended up keeping since it worked best in this old system leaves Windows with 3Gb usable RAM. This would indicate to me this issue is also rooted in the mobo and chipset, and maybe limited options of the rather archaic BIOS.
I've been using 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, and 10 on this machine, and showing the same amount of usable RAM with the video card I used at the time, so I'm assuming they're all behaving the same here.
Any insights beyond my assumption that this issue lies in the hardware/architecture? Any remedies maybe? I know I have the latest BIOS v07.
Mary G
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20.1K Posts
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November 2nd, 2016 14:00
This has always been the case. Some of the ram is used by the System (basic video, system processes etc) so is unavailable for programs. 4GB with usable 3-3.5 GB is adequate for everyday computing. The video memory is unrelated to the computer's ram. Separate video cards have their own memory to add to the built in video. Some older computers can use more ram nowadays than they did when they were new with bios updates, but a dim 5000 is probably too old to increase ram. Use it as is until you can replace it. Congrats on keeping the old model going on win 10!