How do I check RAM and Video Cards?

Nets_VC_15 · Post by **Nets_VC_15** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:00 pm

I know it sounds like a big newb question, but I never really looked into it. How can I check how much RAM my computer has and how much exactly is the maximum for most computers. Mine is a Windows XP. I am a newb at all this high tech terminolgy and stuff. Please help.

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:08 pm

right click on "my computer" and click properties

the maximum amount of memory depends on your motherboard and your OS
winXP (32-bit) can only address up to 4GB of ram before it has to do special stuff

it also depends on how many ram slots your motherboard has, as well as the maximum memory each slot can support (2 slots with 1GB max per slot = 2GB max total)

if I had to guess, I'd say that your max is probably 4GB (4 slots with 1GB max/slot)

Nets_VC_15 · Post by **Nets_VC_15** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:12 pm

whats the highest and best RAM amount currently to your knowledge for a common public computer, then to something for a bigger computer that a serious video editor might be using?

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:02 pm

pre-built and public computers would typically probably range from 256MB to 1GB
typical users probably won't use more than 1GB
higher-end pre-built systems could get up to 2GB, I don't think I've seen any with 4GB

for editing, that absolute minimum I'd try editing with is 512MB
2GB is probably the sugar spot between price and added performance
I'm sure there's more than enough people maxing out with 4GB

I personally use 3GB (only 2.75GB is usable for some reason)

you can always find a way to use all of your memory, but I don't think I've used more than 2.5GB (multiple files open in AvsP, premiere pro, AIM 6, vdubmod)

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:42 pm

I run 4GB right now, can expand up to 8GB on this board, and will probably start running 6GB when I get some spare cash.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:22 am

Kariudo wrote:I personally use 3GB (only 2.75GB is usable for some reason)

That might be due to how 32-bit Windows uses memory. See my post in this thread for details.

Also, if you are using an on-board video graphics chip rather than a discrete graphics card, it's possible that the memory discrepancy is due to some of RAM being allocated for video.

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:41 am

my 64-bit Fedora 8 only sees 2.75GB as well
it's the bios that reports the 3072 available, 2xxx usable

my video card (raderon x1950pro) only has dedicated vram, no onboard.

it might be something about me using all 4 slots

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:28 pm

most likley your motherboard as well
certain chipsets (even though they say they will work with up to 8GB) only accept up to 3GB
it seems the newer chipsets are fixing this problem though

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:59 am

It seems like it's your hardware (BIOS) that is assigning the RAM for your PCI and PCI-E/AGP cards taking the memory chunk out of that specific address space. Newer hardware should be able to access memory mapped at higher address spaces leaving more physical RAM available to the OS or applications.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:08 am

Oh, and 2 other ways of finding your computer system's info:

System Information: found in Start > Accessories > System Tools > System Information. Expand the Components category and select Display to find out what video card/chip you have and how much RAM it has or is using.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool: go to Start > Run... and type dxdiag to bring it up.