Not sure if one of my ram sticks is bad.

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Windows 7 is reporting that I have 16 GB of ram (7.96 usable). The 16 GB of ram is not showing up in my applications either.
I let memtest run all night and didn't have a single error.
Ubuntu is also reporting that I only have 7.96 GB of ram. I put my ram in my brothers computer just to see what his computer said and it shows 12 GB of ram on his computer, which is what he usually has (3x4 GB sticks).
The bios is recognizing all 16 GB of ram.
What could be the problem?
My motherboard is a Gigabyte 990fx-ud5
My memory is Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Something I was wondering is if there is a bios setting that I need to change to allow an operating system to use that much memory. I had to change something in the bios to be able to use usb devices on a 64 bit operating system on this computer.

h3sham · Aug 17, 2013

run msconfig , go to the boot tab , advanced options then check the maximum memory checkbox and see if that helps , also update ur bios and enable memory remap

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Okay, tried the msconfig way. Something kinda weird happened. It sets the maximum memory to 16000 and some MB, but when I click okay and open it back up after restart, the maximum memory is set to 0 and computer properties still says 16 GB (7.96 usable).
Task manager is reporting 8152 MB. Thoughts?

h3sham · Aug 17, 2013

turn on memory remap and update the bios

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Updated my bios, the problem persists. I don't see a memory remap option in the bios?

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

In cpu-z on windows it says my memory is in single channel mode. Shouldn't it be in dual channel mode? My owner's manual for the motherboard says that the bios will detect and automatically enter into the correct mode.

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Okay, right now I'm on Ubuntu.All of my ram is being recognized here, but I can't check on Windows because now I'm getting a very quick BSOD during the Windows splash screen. I don't get the option for safe mode, it's just normal boot or startup repair, which I tried. It didn't help at all.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

Do you by chance have Win Home Basic 64bit - it is limited to 8GB

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

I have ultimate. I downclocked my ram to 1066 from the 1600 Mhz that it was at and reinstalled windows. Now all 16 GB are showing up on both of my operating systems. If I try to go back to 1600, it does what it was doing before. Why would it be doing this? I tried to bump it up to 1866 and that causes my computer to not boot at all, I just get a black screen and I have to remove one of the memory modules.
I don't really mind leaving my ram at 1066, but I would like to get everything out of it that I can.
I'm open to solutions if anyone has any.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

Are you using XMP? if so it probably isn't adjusting thing correctly, if so set them manually (freq and base timings) and add some voltage to the DRAM ( + 0.05) and the MC voltage ( about + 0.15)

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Not exactly sure what XMP is, but I have a faint idea after some googling. I don't think that I'm using it. What is a way that I can check?
I'll try messing with the frequencies and timings, I was planning on doing that anyway.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

If mobo doesn't have XMP, look for DOCP or EOCP (AMDs overclocking profiles) and enable then select the 1600 profile - else set up manually as mentioned

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

What would you recommend as a safe voltage?
The stock setting is already at 1.5v, which I know is about the max for cpus. I don't know how much more RAM can handle.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

Most DRAM can safely go up + 0.10 from spec, though with 1.65 sticks I'd drop it to + 0.05 - unless 1866 or lower sticks at 1.65 - just don't want to thouch them, that high of a voltage for a low freq is indicative of weak/cheap ICs (memory chips)

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Thanks for putting the effort into helping me, but I'm just about to give up on this and become accustomed to the 1066 Mhz world of RAM. I changed the timings, changed the voltages, same story. If I move the frequency anywhere past 1066 Mhz, I have the problem of Windows saying 16 GB (7.96 usable).
At 1866 Mhz I get a boot failure, but if I go one frequency setting up from that it has that same problem. This was with the voltage at 1.6.
So, thank you very much, but I'm pretty much done with this.

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

And what I meant about the one frequency setting up from 1866 I meant Windows only sees half of my RAM.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

May have missed it, but do you have the latest BIOS?

Panderz · Aug 17, 2013

Yeah, I updated to the latest at the recommendation of an earlier poster.

Tradesman1 · Aug 17, 2013

Might check cpu and socket for debris, thermal compound, bent/broken pins

Not sure if one of my ram sticks is bad.

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