2,66 Ghz i7 MBP = 3.88 GB ??? WTF!!!

[EspressoLove]

My completely stock i7 MBP reports I have 3.88 GB RAM available.
I thought that (0.125 GB = 128 MB) is reserved for Intel's iGFX, and I left it at that.

But recently I've tried OWC's 8 GB RAM (2x4GB) and it did report full 8 GB of RAM.
What gives ?

Do you guys (with i5/i7 MBPs + 4GB) have your RAM reported correctly ?

P.S. start Activity Monitor.app, and click on System Memory tab on the bottom to get to this report/piechart.

 

[vbman213]

My completely stock i7 MBP reports I have 3.88 GB RAM available.
I thought that (0.125 GB = 128 MB) is reserved for Intel's iGFX, and I left it at that.

But recently I've tried OWC's 8 GB RAM (2x4GB) and it did report full 8 GB of RAM.
What gives ?

Do you guys (with i5/i7 MBPs + 4GB) have your RAM reported correctly ?

P.S. start Activity Monitor.app, and click on System Memory tab on the bottom to get to this report/piechart.

Activity Monitor was updated to only show the amount of usable memory. You still have 4GB, the rest is shared with the Intel HD GPU

 

[DesmoPilot]

Yup, the Intel IGP takes some RAM.

 

[Macsavvytech]

The intel IGP takes 256MB so you would expect it to register 3.75GB but add a little for incorrect round.
Mind You its prefect the way 4GB - 256MB = 3.88GB so i wonder but the IGP should use 256MB

 

[EspressoLove]

Yes I thought so as well.
Then why with 8GB RAM it reports it in full ?

(Sorry don't have a picture, maybe someone with 8GB installed would help ?)

 

[EspressoLove]

BTW why don't you guys post your RAM piecharts ?
Let pictures talk as well

 

[puckhead193]

Yes I thought so as well.
Then why with 8GB RAM it reports it in full ?

(Sorry don't have a picture, maybe someone with 8GB installed would help ?)

my mbp (see sig for specs; apple ram)

 

[Macsavvytech]

I don't know it is possible its it's a small glitch in activity monitor.

 

[EspressoLove]

(Sorry don't have a picture, maybe someone with 8GB installed would help ?)

my mbp (see sig for specs; apple ram)

Thanks, That's what I'm talking about (8 GB reporting straight)

I don't know it is possible its it's a small glitch in activity monitor.

So you saying it glitches with my stock 4 GB installed?
Then how it's not glitchy with 8 GB?

 

[Hisdem]

I don't have an i5 / i7 MBP, but if you take as standard that the Intel graphics take up only 128MB instead of 256, it does make sense. 4GB = 4096MB, so that - 128 = ~3.88GB. However, since 8GB = 8192MB, that - 128 does give nearly 8GB. However I don't understand why this happens. My 13 inch MBP shows 3.75GB but then I have the 256MB 320M.

 

[winninganthem]

My guess is that discrete graphics cards don't use your system RAM.

 

[DesmoPilot]

My guess is that discrete graphics cards don't use your system RAM.

Well of course not. They're discrete after all, not integrated.

 

[Macsavvytech]

The Discrete may not but all i5/i7 processors have a integrated processor in them this is very odd....

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Activity monitor Sys Memory reporting = GB = 1024 MB

Rest of snow leoh = GB = 1000 MB

 

[dr. shdw]

OP chill out..

 

[Macsavvytech]

Thanks, That's what I'm talking about (8 GB reporting straight)



So you saying it glitches with my stock 4 GB installed?
Then how it's not glitchy with 8 GB?

You missed my point Activity Monitor Should display 3.88GB, i don't know why it displays 8.00GB.
Anyway it's normal mine display 3.88GB get over it

 

[Sneakz]

The Intel HD Graphics use 288MB according to system profiler.

 

[I'mAMac]

You missed my point Activity Monitor Should display 3.88GB, i don't know why it displays 8.00GB.
Anyway it's normal mine display 3.88GB get over it

Yeah OP just chill out this is completely normal. Both 8gb and 4gb are both being reported correctly as another poster explained above.

 

[penter]

Mine also shows 3.88

 

[vant]

My guess is...

Discrete turned on: Full RAM.

Discrete turned off: -256MB RAM

 

[EspressoLove]

My guess is...

Discrete turned on: Full RAM.

Discrete turned off: -256MB RAM

see for yourself