Using 8 GB RAM, but BIOS and Windows say only 4080 MB/3.9 GB are usable! No answer for 3 months!

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Demuny

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Jul 19, 2013
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Hey.
I've been tackling this problem for about 3 months now. My RAM is 8 GB (2x4) of Ripjaws X memory. I have a brother with an identical pc. Windows 8.1 64 bit and my BIOS recognize 8 GB of RAM, but are only allowing me to use 3.9 GB or 4080 MB. How do I fix this? I've tried everything:
I reseated the RAM, enabled remapping, updated BIOS, did something from a large post, something about changing the RAM speeds, I manually set the frequencies, voltage, etc. I RMAed the motherboard! I tried one stick at a time, they both work. I selected and deselected Maximum memory in Windows. I reseated every component!
Please help, I cannot take this. I have gotten no helpful answer for a long time.
 
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argeru

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Oct 5, 2012
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first make sure they are in the right slots, I'm assuming your motherboard has 4 ram slots, they are usually set up so that 2 of the same sticks are not next to each other, i.e. here are the 4 slots -
XXXX
your 2 sticks will be like this - XIXI or IXIX.
Other than that, you might just have one bad stick and one good stick.
 
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Demuny

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Jul 19, 2013
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I tried both ways, and nothing worked. I also tested each ram stick at a time, and 4 GB was recognized and usable. Strangely enough, I put in both sticks and 3.9 GB is usable.
 
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Demuny

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BIOS is 2103. Motherboard is ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0. RAM is G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL. Yes, I tried slots 1 and 2.
 
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Bad_Kitty13

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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i also need your cpu info as well
 
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rhapdog

rhapdog

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Is it possible that you aren't getting enough voltage to power both sticks to the memory controller?

You may try bumping up the memory voltage by 0.2v.

I'm guessing, though, so let someone else confirm. Probably won't hurt to try, though. Make sure that your OS that you are running on is actually a 64-bit OS. A 32-bit Windows will only recognize the 4GB.
 
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Demuny

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Please keep in mind that the hardware reserved memory is 4.1 GB (3.9 + 4.1 = 8). My brother has the same pc with the same components, and his hardware reserved memory is 96.1 MB. How can I reduce my hardware reserved memory??
 
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Bad_Kitty13

Bad_Kitty13

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ahhh so you are getting 8gb of ram but only around 4gb is usable on boot?

if so open task manager go to performance tab click resources go to memory tab...under commit column(click to sort by commit) there it will show you which files are using more ram.
it sounds like your bro computer doesnt have that many programs on his startup menu if you would like to edit your go to windows search type in msconfig go to startup tab and select which programs you need turned off on boot so you can maximize memory usage(start with the biigest memory eaters in the commit column)


click apply restart pc then check task manager to check your mem usage now.
 
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Demuny

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No luck. Everything is the same. Remember, the BIOS also states 4080 MB out of the 8192 MB that I should be using.
 
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Demuny

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1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. No. I will try. What's the performance difference between single and dual channel?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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What CPU? Not many can carry 4 sticks at 1866. Try at 1600, 9-9-9-24, 2N, 1.575 and CPU/NB voltage at 1.2. Can also try the sticks in slots 1-2, that will be single channel if all is seen or none is seen then it's a memory channel problem and quite possibly could be an overly tight CPU cooler on one side or in one corner,( loosen it up then snug down as evenly as possible, not real tight, tight) or might pull the CPU and check for bent/broken pins.....can try these, and let us know the CPU
 
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rhapdog

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Let me get this straight...
1. You and your brother have identical PCs.
2. He has 96.1MB reserved and you have 4.1GB reserved memory.

What I suggest to do next is the following:
1. Set up the computers next to each other.
2. Enter into the BIOS in both computers.
3. Enter each screen in his BIOS, and whatever is shown there, copy it into your BIOS. If the hardware is identical, then you should have identical setup.

Make sure that every last BIOS setting is the same, just to eliminate a BIOS misconfiguration issue.

If this does not work, then there is most likely a hardware issue. I would ask if you bought your memory as an 8GB kit, or did you purchase two 4GB sticks? When you purchase 2 sticks separately, and not as a kit, then they are not guaranteed to work together, even if they are the same brand/model of memory. If you want to use more than one stick of memory, you need to buy them together as a kit.
 
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Demuny

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I use an FX 6300 at stock 3.5 GHz. I only use 2 sticks, my bad if I confused you. I will check the CPU, I have been hearing about tight coolers a lot. I will also check for bent/broken pins.
 
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