RAM

[Paul]

I just bought a new computer with 512MB of RAM. However, when I right click
on my computer, the system properties box tells me that I have 480MB. Is
this normal? Where is my other 32MB?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Apparently, your new computer has an onboard video chip that
utilizes the motherboard's RAM. In this case, 32MB is allocated
for video. Purchasing and installing a dedicated AGP video card
will free the 32MB currently used by the onboard video device.

When installing a video card, you'll need to disable the onboard
video in the BIOS, and then enable AGP support in the BIOS.
Consult your new computer's User's Guide for assistance.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I just bought a new computer with 512MB of RAM. However, when I right click
| on my computer, the system properties box tells me that I have 480MB. Is
| this normal? Where is my other 32MB?
|
| --
| Paul
| Cleveland, Ohio

 

[Nick Burns]

You computer uses a "onboard" video card that uses the extra 32Megs. This is
called shared memory and sucks. You can disable the onboard and buy a video
card that has it's own fast memory and get your 32Megs back.

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Unless you are doing graphics intensive work your 512MB using 32MB of
onboard video should work very nicely. I wouldn't worry about it.