Windows 10: Only 3.5GB (of 4GB) RAM usable; running Win 10 x64

Actually if you have dedicated vram most are looking to see increased not decreased to boost performance especially for gaming purposes. If there's a bios option often that can be set to use 0mb to free up all ram but used with a bit of caution to prevent display issues that can come out of it. One guide showing how to increase the memory allotted could be reversed to decrease while not advised. How to Increase Dedicated Video Memory (6 Steps) | eHow

 

As I said, APU does not support VRAM, just uses whatever RAM is available.
On most desktop computers another, discrete GPU could be added and on processor graphic disabled releasing that part of RAM to the system. Discrete GPUs have own on-board VRAM.

 

I don't think so with the onboard Intel 3000 HD graphics over seeing an expansion card added in which by most would be the preferred option. But that is something you would need to take up with the OP as far as maybe not wanting to spend additional money on the premade system since he may not even game, run high graphics apps, or run demanding media where a separate card would be required.

 

It was because of your link that shows how to install discrete GPU with more VRAM. For OP is much easier and cheaper to ad more RAM if possible or necessary . In this case as that APU can use up to 2133 MHz ram, it would also increase video performance.

 

The idea of add a separate card in does more then simply free up what memory will become available for other things but take a load off of the cpu. Video cards these days employ their own GPU type processors as well as provide for the improved graphics. It never hurts to add more memory as needed however while still having 16gb here turned out to be a little bit of overkill since 8gb can easily handle the VM and other projects here.

The benefits however come from having a separate card in use depending on how the system is used. You don't need much of anything for checking the mail and web browsing. The OP apparently is not into custom building and simply went premade which otherwise seems to be working. Additional memory added in would have to be ordered from the OEM or made sure to be identical in brand as well as type in order to avoid seeing the machine become inactivated while adding a separate card and disabling the onboard chip would automatically solve the shared memory problem.

 

You're right there of course but I think that OP was just interested as to why such discrepancy in physical and reported memory. That much of difference can't influence performance very much.

 

I believe the laptop in question is different from the one in his System Specs. His question is about and AMD APU that has an AMD video solution not an Intel HD 3000. Just trying to make things clear. Why I posted the link previously about the AMD R2 graphics. *Smile

 

Not with 4gb or more installed. When going from 2gb to 4gb you would notice the difference immediately while from the 4gb there to 8gb there would only be a minor difference while Windows would be found running smoother when opening any larger programs.

That had no bearing on your previous post was simply being used as a reference for the onboard the desktop sees there. In years past before video cards got evolved to the point of seeing their own onboard form of cpu the onboard video had to share resources.

On a laptop you generally will only be using what it comes with unless getting into a larger more feature loaded model where there are expansion options available such as adding a separate card. Once again that depends on the make and model which either will or won't allow for that. Typically you see more with gaming laptops as a rule there.

 

Really no need to explain laptops to me, did you see my specs? Appears we are talking past each other here and my entire point was missed. I'll bow out now, everyone have a great day! *Smile

 

What do you think we have been referring to as far as onboard graphics. The particular chip doesn't make any difference as a rule when it comes to the need for the onboard to grab what it needs when not seeing VRam available.

That is found right in the first paragraph of the AMD Radeon R2 (Mullins/Beema) report you provided the link for earlier which shows that particular laptop lacks VRam. No one is dismissing that at all. Another report from April 2014 goes into a bit more detail about that being a quad core gpu that replaced the previous dual core series. AMD "Beema" low power APUs spotted