M90 video card uses 1.28 GB memory

[palkerekfy]

I use a new M90 (3692B1G) with 4 GB (2*2 GB) memory. I run Windows 7 (32 bit), the factory-supplied operating system (it cam on restore DVD). Windows says that I have 4 GB memory, and 2.8 GB is available. It appears that the video card uses 1.28GB memory. The task manager shows 2870 MB total physical memory.

Is this normal? Can I free some memory from the video card, and use it as system memory?

        Motherboard
        System Board
         Manufacturer        LENOVO
         Product
         Chipset              Intel PCH Q57
        BIOS
         Vendor               LENOVO
         Release Date        02/26/2010
         BIOS Version String 5JKT39AUS
         ROM Size             2.50 MB

Memory
        Total Physical        4.00 GB
        Memory
        2048 MB DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
         Memory Size          2.00 GB
         Memory Type          DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
         Memory Manufacturer Elpida
         Memory Manufacture  Week 5, Year 2010
         Date
         Memory Part Number  EBJ21UE8BDS0-DJ-F
         Memory Serial NumberE1DC08E0
         Memory Revision Code2030
        2048 MB DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
         Memory Size          2.00 GB
         Memory Type          DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
         Memory Manufacturer Elpida
         Memory Manufacture  Week 5, Year 2010
         Memory Part Number  EBJ21UE8BDS0-DJ-F
         Memory Serial NumberE0DC08E1
         Memory Revision Code2030

        Video Card
        Intel(R) HD Graphics
         Video Card Chip TypeIntel(R) HD Graphics (Core i3)
         Video Card Memory   1.28 GB
         Video Card BIOS     Intel Video BIOS
         Driver               c:\windows\system32\drivers\igdkmd32.sys
         Driver Version      8.15.10.2086, 2-20-2010

        Operating System
        Name                   Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit)
        Build Number          7600

[palkerekfy]

I wonder if anybody could offer help...

[grimworld]

It is normal for Windows 32 bit to show around 3gb available memory since it has to reserve the rest for the system.

Do a quick search on google for Windows 32bit and maximum usable memory.

[an0dos]

If you need to free up memory you should consider purchasing and using a discreet graphics card instead of the onboard intel graphics. If you want to go above 4 GB of RAM you will need to install a 64 bit OS.

[palkerekfy]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I was afraid that there was absolutely no way to configure the memory card. It's unrealistic that it requires 1.28 GB of the computer memory for basic graphics (no games, no video). Thanks again.

[an0dos]

You can check the bios settings to see if you can set a maximum value for the amount of memory the card uses. You can enter the bios settings by hitting something like ESC when you see the "Thinkcentre" logo after turning the computer on.

[an0dos]

That being said, unless you are actually experiencing performance issues with your computer, you should probably just let it be. Unused RAM = Wasted RAM.

If you are experiencing performance issues, then you may be better served if you buy a cheap pci or pcie graphics card depending on what slots are available on your motherboard. You can also try disabling aero effects.

[MrPeter1985 Guru]

I wouldn't go out in buy 64bit. If 1.28 is in fact given to your GPU then that is great. As they stated 1 gig of it would be wasted in 32bit. But being if it really uses the remaining 1 gig then you will have a better GPU. As 3 gigs is more than enough. My ATI HD4200 uses 256 system dedicated but can share up to a total 1.4g. So that 1.28g is normal.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

try updating the bios and the video drivers.

Also you can legally download the Win 7 OS iso from here:

LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!)

You can activate the 64 bit OS using the serial number on the stickers posted on the desktop machine. 

[palkerekfy]

Thanks for this suggestion. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any such setting. I have also played with the settings on the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel but none of them changed the size of the memory consumed by the video card.