G.Skill memory problems

Steve Jean · Jul 30, 2013

I recently built my first AMD PC (i'm new to all of this) and had many problems along the way. Many were resolved but i'm still a long ways to go before this completed build becomes optimum for any demanding tasks. My problem as of right now is with the 8GB of G.Skill memory sticks, in that it is only "using" or recognizing 3.95 gigs of the 8192 MBytes that are currently installed. The thing is when i check the Bios it shows the full 8 gigs, but in the Windows Index area it shows "8.00 GB (3.95 GB usable)." Also, when i open Task Manager>Performance>Resource Monitor>Memory it tells me that 4147MB is hardware reserved. Any help would be appreciated!

My specs:

AMD FX-4130 Zambezi 3.8GHz Socket AM3+
MSI 970A-G46 AM3+ AMD 970
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
SAPPHIRE 100358L Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB
Western Digital WD1002FAEX Caviar Black 1 TB
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (OEM)

te100 · Jul 30, 2013

make sure you have the latest bios update applied and make sure memory remap is enabled in bios

gskill support · Jul 30, 2013

Try reinstalling Windows and that should automatically readjust and reallocate the memory properly. Also, make sure each module is firmly inserted.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

Steve Jean · Jul 30, 2013

te100 :

Bios is already up to date, and it does not have that memory remap feature. =(

gskill support :

I will try re-installing Windows.

Tradesman1 · Jul 30, 2013

Check MSCONFIG

Go to START > type MSCONFIG in the search box > ENTER > BOOT > ADVANCED > and make sure max mem is UNchecked

Also, prob have sticks in slots 1-3, if so try in 2-4 or vice versa

Steve Jean · Jul 30, 2013

Tradesman1 :

Max mem was unchecked by default and someone suggested that i check it so it shows 8 gigs which also didn't work. =(

The sticks are in Dimms 2 & 4

Tradesman1 · Jul 30, 2013

Might try in 1-3

Steve Jean · Jul 30, 2013

Tradesman1 :

Switching it to 1/3 gives me the same results. It looks like i'll have to resort to re-installing Windows since it has been recommended by both G.Skill and MSI tech support.

Tradesman1 · Jul 30, 2013

Sorry we couldn't get it going

Steve Jean · Jul 30, 2013

Tradesman1 :

No problem, i appreciate the help.

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2013

Let us know how it goes

Steve Jean · Jul 31, 2013

Tradesman1 :

So I've tried re-installing (not the clean install) Windows 7 but the problem persists; same amount of RAM being reserved. I think i'm just going to buy 16 GB of DDR3 ram sticks so at least then i'll have 8 gigs of non reserved.

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2013

Have you checked the CPU and socket - particularly the CPU for bent or broken pins - was hoping it was something else but this may be the problem, happens all to often with AMD and the pinned CPUs

Steve Jean · Jul 31, 2013

Tradesman1 :

Ugh, i was hoping it wouldn't lead to this...

Before posting for help on this forum i Googled about my RAM problems, and in most cases it was because of bent CPU pins, but i didn't want to believe that i had mines bent. I'm not gonna lie, i had a really hard freaking time trying to mount this terrible heat sink onto the CPU. I guess you live and you learn, or in my case, always go for an aftermarket cooler. =(

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2013

Well check first, it may not be, but that's what it MAY be, was hoping to avoid going here, but at this point, buying new DRAM wouldn't make a difference if this is the problem and hate to see you waste the money

Steve Jean · Jul 31, 2013

Wouldn't i make it worse by removing the CPU? I think i'm going to wait a little before checking, or at least until i get more disposable income. I can't take my chances of removing the heat sink and finding later the PC won't start.

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2013

Good thinking, may want to close this thread and can open a new one if need be, or just PM me

Steve Jean · Jul 31, 2013

Tradesman1 :

Ok, but how do i close the thread? XD

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2013

Pick a best answer

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