video card memory problem

[Guest]

I have Nvidia 7100GS with 512MB memory.
When I'm looking in the "display settings-->advanced settings--->adapter" on
my WinXP i can see that there is a total memory of 512MB, but on my Vista it
detects only 382MB of total memory.
I'v installed the latest driver release for Vista from the Nvidia site.

Someone told me that Vista suppports only 382MB of ram. is it true? It sound
a bit strange.. if not, what can be the reason for that?

 

[pvdg42]

I have Nvidia 7100GS with 512MB memory.
When I'm looking in the "display settings-->advanced settings--->adapter"
on
my WinXP i can see that there is a total memory of 512MB, but on my Vista
it
detects only 382MB of total memory.
I'v installed the latest driver release for Vista from the Nvidia site.

Someone told me that Vista suppports only 382MB of ram. is it true? It
sound
a bit strange.. if not, what can be the reason for that?

No, what you have is a low end NVIDIA model that *can use* up to 512MB of
shared (read stolen from your main memory) memory.
If you look at the specs of a typical 7100GS card, you'll find that it has
only (typically) 128MB of on board video memory:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125047

The remainder of needed memory is taken from your main memory. 512 - 128 =
up to 384MB taken from your main memory.
The notion that Vista supports only 382MB is hogwash. 32 bit Vista supports
up to 4 GB and 64 bit Vista supports much more.
I believe you are seeing *available* memory.