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Why does Windows say I have only 6gb RAM when set to 1600 MHz?

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  • Windows
  • Default
  • RAM
  • Memory
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April 5, 2014 6:44:25 AM

I have 2 4gb sticks of 1600 MHz RAM installed. When set at default 1333 MHz Windows sees all 8gb, but as soon as I set it to 1600 MHz, there's only 6gb left. I tried a lot of things, timings, voltage but it didn't solve the problem. When I put it back at 1333, there's the 8gb again visible. What could cause this? I want the 1600 MHz, because I have an APU, and they greatly benefit the RAM frequency raise. But I also want the full 8gb installed.

More about : windows 6gb ram set 1600 mhz

April 5, 2014 6:51:03 AM

Are you able to list the types of RAM (As in Brand Names, and if they are the different series like Vengeance or Ripjaws), what type of Motherboard you have and which APU you specifically have.

Sometimes I've seen APU's really only accept 1333Mhz RAM.

Also with the RAM, you're obviously running in Dual Channel Mode, have you selected Dual Channel in the motherboard if there (Sometimes you have to manually select it) and are your modules side by side in the DIMM slots?

Thanks, Hopefully a few simple steps and you have a perfectly running system again.
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April 5, 2014 6:57:07 AM

My Mobo is a Gigabyte Ga-a75-s2v, cpu is amd a6-3670k, and not sure if running in dual channel mode, but the ram sticks are identical and the mobo only has two ram slots, so i guess its dual channel mode. How do i know what ram sticks i have?? Do i have to open the pc or is it visible from within windows?
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April 5, 2014 7:03:04 AM

Is it a pre-built system or?

Well I would imagine it is in Dual Channel Mode. But I don't think the A6 really supports 1600Mhz properly, I know the A8's-A10's do..

And to check what type of RAM you have, it usually comes in the box. With and it is in the title, though if it was a pre-built computer, I would imagine it is not designed for 1600MHz.
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April 5, 2014 7:09:44 AM

tingety said:
Is it a pre-built system or?

Well I would imagine it is in Dual Channel Mode. But I don't think the A6 really supports 1600Mhz properly, I know the A8's-A10's do..

And to check what type of RAM you have, it usually comes in the box. With and it is in the title, though if it was a pre-built computer, I would imagine it is not designed for 1600MHz.

It is not a pre-build computer, my cousin did it for me at the time. I checked the ram just now, it's corsair xms3, and it supports 1600mhz. Also, the site of AMD said the 3670k supports it. Anyway, i'm able to boot at 1600 mhz with a little voltage boost, but in control panel > system it sais there's only six installed and task manager sais only 4 usable. CPU-Z however shows me full 8gb.
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April 5, 2014 7:09:53 AM

Also, I will add check if the RAM is installed correctly. Swap the modules to different slots and see if that helps, also check to see if it is running at Dual Channel mode.

Also check to see if there is a max memory use in msconfig, that could make Windows load with only 6GB RAM as opposed to 8GB
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April 5, 2014 7:10:43 AM

Go to control panel, see if you have a 32 bit or 64 bit version of Windows installed.
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April 5, 2014 7:20:27 AM

It's a 64 bit OS, I am sure of that. I am out of the house for a couple of minutes, but when I come back, I will switch modules and look in msconfig
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April 5, 2014 7:57:07 AM

Sorry, had to walk the dog. I switched the RAM sticks and now windows boots with 1600 mhz and full 8gb usable, so that did it, thanks for that. However, cpu z says under tab "memory" DRAM Frequency: 800 mhz (=1600 mhz because of double data rate). Under tab "spd" it says max bandwith: 667 mhz(=1333). At what frequency am i running the RAM? Also, I dont run in dual channel, how do i activate it? My mobo supports it and there are only 2 ram slots, so it can't be that i put them in the wrong place. I seached the bios for an option to do it, but could't find it. Any ideas?
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