Why is this Laptop using up some much ram?!?

[aPanzerIV]

Ok, so I finally bought a Laptop for around $125, and upon installing some new software, and deleting all this weird crap off the hdd, i have a new problem, it is somehow slower than when i first tested it, with ALL the software on it, its using more ram than my desktp to run fewer applictaions, to show you, here is a list of apps on my desktop and laptop.

Deskop:

AVG. Ram used: 346Mb of 2.25gb

All Known Software since wiping of HDD:

Steam

Starlancer

Garrys mod 10 + Valve Complete Pack

Halo CE

Halo Custom Edition

Computer Ascociate's Anti Virus 2009 Internet Suite

IrfanVeiw

Adobe Reader

Nvidea Control Panel Version 18?.??

Belkin Wireless Networking Utility.

Far Cry 2

ULI SATA Raid Manager

LAPTOP:

All Know Exsisting Software:

Computer Ascociate's 2009 Anti Virus Internet Suite

Steam

Garry's Mod 10 + Valve Complete Pack.

Halo CE

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Reader

ATI Catalyst Control Center 8.2

Irfan Veiw.

Brodcam WIFI Utility

ALL KNOWN PREVIOUS SOFTWAREdeleted)

Avast Anti Virus

Computer Ascociate's 2007 Internet Security Suite

Rigs Of Rods

Far Cry 2 (failed install)

Catalyst Control Center 10.2 (Crashed Windows)

possibly ANY software sold with the computer before it was a used computer.




AVG. RAM USAGE: 1.23Gb of 1.25Gb



Desktop AVG. Gaming Ram usage: 1.74Gb of 2.25Gb

Laptop AVG Gaming Ram Usage: 1.56Gb of 1.25gb.



I am going to upgrade my laptops ram anyways, but knowing what is causing it to eat up so much ram could extend its life a few more years.


Desktop OS: Windows XP Pro SP3

LAPtop OS: Windows XP MCE SP3

 

[Everendless]

Well if your laptop was $125, its not gonna be the best laptop ever. Check your Task Manager under processes. There shouldnt be over 30 processes running when you first log on. If there is, you have to disable some of the programs from opening upon start up. I have steam also, and as a default, it opens automatically upon start up. Things like that take up ram. Plus, XP SP3 takes up more space and ram than SP2 or SP1. Dont know if this helped, but thats all I can think of.

 

[aPanzerIV]

hmm, steam is the top rated process, @ 126,720 kb usage,


I do note it sky rocketing after closing a game, the game itself does not generally use much ram.

 

[Celegorm]

If memory serves me right, MCE did always chew more RAM than XP pro...

 

[dude_56013]

The real question is why didn't you wipe it and reinstall when you first got it. That's my rule of thumb for all used computers.