Installed RAM vs. Usable RAM

[raphealq]

Hi,
8GB of RAM installed in my system. When checking the system requirements for a game, it will say that it is recommended to have 8GB of memory. However, I've noticed that in the control panel of windows it will say "8GB RAM (6.9GB usable)". Does that mean that if when the system requirements say 8GB, it really means 8GB of usable RAM, so I will need 10GB of installed RAM just to match the recommended 8GB memory amount?
Thanks.

 

[cklaubur]

The usable amount of RAM will depend on your computer's configuration. Integrated/built-in graphics can use up to a gigabyte of system RAM, and if you are running 32-bit Windows, you are limited to no more than 4 GB (system and video RAM) usable.

Judging by how much you can use, I'd guess you have an integrated video card using 1 GB of RAM. You might be able to run the game with less than 8 GB, since it is a recommendation, not a requirement. However, it might not perform as well as you hope it will.

Casey

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Go to your resource monitor , and click on the memory tab , the graph will show you how the memory is being used.

 

[Tradesman1]

The 'recommended' 8GB takes into effect that there will be system overhead (which is where your DRAM has prob gone) and prob actually means the game 'by itself' will actually need up to 4GB 'FREE' for it to use for optimal performance