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How to expand usable memory?

Anonymous
2022-05-03T12:11:43+00:00

I have asked this question some time ago and I've been wanting a second opinion. My installed RAM is 8gb, it says 5.75gb usable. Im struggling with this, I cant run essential programs at once. My broswer and the antimalware service takes likes 75% already. Background services which I dont know about stack from small ones to a huge chunk...I'am using a lenovo thinkpad e495 pls help

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-05-03T12:47:13+00:00

    Hi Julian,

    I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    This is normal if your PC has integrated graphics, that will cause Windows to set aside maybe 1/4 of your RAM for your graphics, because integrated graphics does not have any VRAM and uses shared System RAM.

    Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

    Select the Performance tan in Task Manager and click Memory on the left

    Please provide a screenshot of that Task Manager window.

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  2. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-05-04T09:04:12+00:00

    Hi Julian,

    Yes, thank you for that screenshot, you have integrated AMD graphics on your system, that does not have any VRAM, like a dedicated graphics card would have, and so it uses shared system RAM, that is what that 2GB of RAM is being used for, and there is no setting in Windows to change that amount of RAM set aside for hardware.

    If you are running short of RAM on your PC, the best option would be to add more RAM to your system, if it is upgradable.

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  3. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-05-04T07:02:22+00:00

    Hi Julian,

    Sorry, I was offline, can you please provide a screenshot of the whole Performance tab in the Task Manager window, I also need to see all items in the left pane also.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-05-04T00:57:16+00:00

    here is the picture

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-05-03T12:48:34+00:00

    You can always upgrade the ram module eg https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/lenovo/thinkpad-e495

    Supposedly, there's two ram module slots so you should be able to just grab another 8GB for not much and be happy. You should open up the case cover and make sure. "Double data rate 4 (DDR4) small outline dual in-line memory module (SODIMM), up to 32 GB" https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/pubs/e495/html_en/index.html#t=en%2FFeatures_and_specifications_(topic)_T0000703839.html%23Features-FD6DA4A1&rhtocid=_3_6

    https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/pubs/e495/html_en/index.html#t=en%2FMemory_module_(topic)_T0000703844.html&rhsearch=memory&rhhlterm=memory&rhsyns=%20

    If you want to just gain whatever is used of the 8GB, I don't think you can get much more. The OS and many things have stuff to fit into memory just for the computer to run. You have 2.25GB in use which is about normal. So in my opinion upgrading the memory is the way to go or grabbing a new computer with more.

    Also, if you get faster memory it may downclock so you should figure out what speed module is already in there and get the same speed or replace it. It is *okay (*to an extent) to have two types of memory but a single type is always preferable.

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