Understanding Memory

Could one of you guys explain to me the big difference in my Installed Memory and my physical memory, thanks in advance !

 

Yeah, it appears you are using integrated graphics, as opposed to a separate graphics card. Integrated graphics typically steals... err... "shares" a chunk of your installed system (physical) RAM to use for graphics processing by the GPU (graphics processing unit). This is why your "Available Physical Memory" is significantly less than the actual Total Physical Memory installed.

Is this a laptop? If so, there may not be anything you can do. If a PC, you typically can install a graphics card and even a budget one will noticeably improve performance. This is because graphics cards include their own RAM for the GPU to use for graphics processing. Installing a graphics card immediately frees up that previously stolen... err... shared RAM, returning it back to your CPU and OS to use. Plus, in most cases, the GPU on the card is a higher performer than most integrated graphics. So when going from integrated graphics to a card, not only do you get a better graphics solution, you get an increase in system RAM too. A very good thing.

The downside to adding a graphics card is a graphics card is often the most power hungry device in our system. Depending on the card and the current CPU, it may be more hungry than the CPU! So upgrading from integrated graphics to a card often also requires upgrading to a bigger power supply. Just something to be aware.

Some newer and/or higher-end systems with integrated graphics include additional RAM dedicated to the graphics. Yours does not appear to have that. This is evident by the 4.53GB difference in your Installed and Total Physical Memory values. That's a big chunk. Note that is not necessarily a bad thing. That's because today's computing tasks are very graphics oriented so having a nice chunk of RAM for the GPU helps with graphics performance.

Adding to the above and your screenshot, Virtual Memory is the total amount of memory available to the CPU and Windows. Virtual Memory = Total Physical Memory + Page File Space. So in your case, that is 5.1GB = 3.47 + 1.63 (rounding errors account for yours showing 5.09GB).

 

Hi Bill, Thanks for your very informative explanation, firstly yes it is a desktop and not a laptop and secondly from what you are telling me it will not be a viable option to install a graphics card because of the probable need for a new power box and perhaps the CPU will not handle it ?

 

Huh? No, I was not suggesting that at all. In fact, reading back over what I said, I don't understand how you came to that conclusion - especially since you now say this is a PC and not a laptop.

I thought I was pretty clear that installing a card in a PC, even a budget card, can be very beneficial.

Typically, if there is sufficient amounts of RAM (and 8GB is a nice size chunk for most users), installing a graphics card is my first recommendation to improve over all system performance.

You didn't tell us what power supply unit (PSU) or computer model you have so I have no clue if yours is big enough. But there are many cards designed to work with systems that have smaller power supplies. But even if a bigger supply is required, unless the PC is very proprietary (and that is possible with many factory made PCs), upgrading the PSU is one of the easier upgrade tasks.

Also, not sure where you got that the CPU might not be able to handle it. I never suggested anything about that either - because it is not true. In fact, it is just the opposite. With integrated graphics, it is common for the CPU to do many of the graphics processing tasks and some of those can be quite demanding.

But when a card is added, the CPU can then hand-off those tasks to the card - and it takes very little CPU horsepower to hand off tasks. So with a card, much of the workload previously put on the CPU are now being handed off to the card. And much of the system RAM previously dedicated to the integrated graphics are now made available to the CPU. And typically, the card will have a more power graphics processor than the integrated one too.

 

Quick Note.
You seem to be running a 32 bit version of win10 (8 Gb Ram 32 bit Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19043 Build 19043)
32 bit versions can only use up to 4GB of Ram. (It's a math thing - 32 bit systems can't count high enough to address more than 4GB of memory)
So you'll need to 'upgrade' to a 64 bit version of windows to take advantage of your 8GB.

For best performance a 64 bit system AND Bill's suggestion of a graphics card should be installed.
If only 1 - go for the 64 bit system since you already have enough installed RAM.

 

Gee Whiz! How did I miss that?

Yeah, while everything else said is still true, 32-bit is likely the primary limitation here.

 

Many thanks guys and sorry Bill I must have misread what you said !

 

Many thanks for your knowledge, it looks like my system will run a 64 - Bit windows but can I upgrade without losing all my files and Apps ?

 

Yes Steve I think you are correct bit of a waste of time and money !