Understanding 'Installed RAM 8.00 GB 5.88 GB Usable' on My New ThinkPad E495 Ryzen 3

Upon receiving your new ThinkPad E495 equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor on 11/11/19, you’re likely to have noticed a message stating 'Installed RAM 8.00 GB 5.88 GB usable.' This blog post aims to explain the meaning behind this message and the possible reasons why you only have 5.88 GB of usable memory instead of the 8 GB you installed. We will also provide you with steps to check if this is a normal allocation and what you can do if you are still unsure.

What Does the 'Installed RAM' Message Mean?

The message 'Installed RAM 8.00 GB 5.88 GB usable' simply means that your laptop has a total of 8 GB of physical RAM installed, but the operating system can only use 5.88 GB of that memory. This indicates that the remaining 2.12 GB is either reserved for system operations, integrated graphics, or other hardware components. This situation is not indicative of a hardware defect; instead, it is often due to one of the following factors:

Shared Memory

One of the most common reasons for this scenario is the allocation of shared memory to integrated graphics. If you have an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor, it includes a built-in AMD Radeon Vega graphics, which can use a portion of your system RAM as video memory. This is especially true if your laptop doesn't have a dedicated graphics card.

System Reserved Memory

Another reason could be that the operating system is reserving some of the RAM for system processes or hardware components. Windows 10 runs on a 64-bit architecture, so in theory, it can support more than 8 GB of RAM, but the actual amount can vary depending on the system's configuration and the way the operating system is set up.

Hardware Configuration

If your laptop is running a 32-bit version of Windows, it may only be able to address up to 4 GB of RAM, even though physically installed more is available. However, since you mentioned you have Windows 10 64-bit, this is unlikely to be the issue.

How to Verify if This is Normal

To check if this allocation is normal or if there are issues, you can follow these steps:

Check Graphics Settings

1. **Open the BIOS/UEFI settings:** This can usually be accessed by restarting your laptop and pressing a specific key (often F2, F12, or Delete).

2. **Navigate to the 'Graphics' or 'Advanced' settings:** Here, you can adjust the amount of RAM allocated to the integrated graphics.

Use Task Manager to Check Memory Usage

1. **Open Task Manager:** You can access Task Manager by pressing Ctrl Shift Esc.

2. **Switch to the 'Performance' tab:** From here, you can view the 'Memory' section to see how RAM is being utilized. This will help you determine if the allocation is appropriate for your usage.

What Can You Do if You're Still Not Sure?

If the above steps don't provide a clear answer or if you're still concerned, here are a few additional actions:

Run a Memory Diagnostic Tool

1. **Windows Memory Diagnostic:** You can run a built-in memory diagnostic tool by searching for 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' in the Start menu. This tool can help you identify any hardware issues with your RAM.

Contact Lenovo Support

If you're still unsure or the issues persist, it's a good idea to contact Lenovo's technical support for further assistance. They can help you diagnose and resolve any potential issues with your laptop.