laptop memory readings

[topspin12]

is there a reason why my laptop has a 512mb stick and a 256mb stick but only reads it as having 640mb of memory? Is that how laptops read and utilize the memory?

is it because my onboard video card has shared memory? I think thats the reason, but im just makin sure.

 

[Philippine Mango]

You just answered your own question, if you have onboard memory, you will infact have less ram available to use for other processes.