I have an MDL model that's vertex animated. It's 40MB in file size.

If I load this model into an empty test level room, the amount of system RAM taken up (shown in task manager) is over 100MB.

If I load the same model into MED, the amount of RAM taken up is only 50MB.

What is the difference between loading an MDL into the actual game and loading it into MED that's causing this huge difference in system RAM needed? I understand that the engine has more going on than just MED does, but is there really this much overhead?