Yet another problem where only half the memory is available
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Memory
Last response: in Memory
CosmoSparks
September 5, 2014 5:55:55 AM
I've seen many posts on this and they all seem to have different answers. I've tried everything I can think of so I decided it's time to put my specific case out there to see if any of you can help. Build details are below.
First off, I've already ensured the "max memory" box in msconfig is not checked.
Initially, I tried 2x2GB Patriot Sector 5 DDR3 1333MHz 9-9-9-24. Using either slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4, Windows showed 4GB Installed and 1.98GB usable.
Then I switched to Patriot Viper 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz. Again I made sure to use the correct slots as indicated by the motherboard manual and now Windows shows 8GB installed and 3.98 usable. This motherboard has no on-board graphics card, so I know that's not eating up the RAM.
I've also tried dropping the speed on the 1600MHz RAM to 1333MHz, but that didn't change anything. I ran memory test on the 2x2GB RAM and it was fine. The 2x4GB is brand new, so I a haven't run the memory test on it yet, but based on the behavior when I switch RAM, I don't think it's a bad RAM problem.
Finally, CPU-z is showing that I'm running Single Channel instead of Dual. I think this is the key point since I keep showing about half the RAM usable.
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I've replaced the CPU-z output with more info on my build here:
Motherboard: GA-990FXA-UD3 rev4.0
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black
CPU: Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
RAM: Patriot Viper 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz PV38G160C9K
Graphics: Dual EVGA GTS 450 1024MB in SLI mode
Power Supply: CoolerMaster GX 650W
First off, I've already ensured the "max memory" box in msconfig is not checked.
Initially, I tried 2x2GB Patriot Sector 5 DDR3 1333MHz 9-9-9-24. Using either slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4, Windows showed 4GB Installed and 1.98GB usable.
Then I switched to Patriot Viper 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz. Again I made sure to use the correct slots as indicated by the motherboard manual and now Windows shows 8GB installed and 3.98 usable. This motherboard has no on-board graphics card, so I know that's not eating up the RAM.
I've also tried dropping the speed on the 1600MHz RAM to 1333MHz, but that didn't change anything. I ran memory test on the 2x2GB RAM and it was fine. The 2x4GB is brand new, so I a haven't run the memory test on it yet, but based on the behavior when I switch RAM, I don't think it's a bad RAM problem.
Finally, CPU-z is showing that I'm running Single Channel instead of Dual. I think this is the key point since I keep showing about half the RAM usable.
-----------------
I've replaced the CPU-z output with more info on my build here:
Motherboard: GA-990FXA-UD3 rev4.0
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black
CPU: Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
RAM: Patriot Viper 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz PV38G160C9K
Graphics: Dual EVGA GTS 450 1024MB in SLI mode
Power Supply: CoolerMaster GX 650W
More about : problem half memory
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Reply to CosmoSparks
CosmoSparks
September 5, 2014 6:43:47 AM
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CosmoSparks
September 5, 2014 9:52:53 AM
CosmoSparks
September 5, 2014 3:24:32 PM
Adding more pieces to the puzzle: I am unable to boot with a single DIMM in any of the slots. I get no POST at all when there is only one DIMM installed. Should the GA-990FXA-UD3 rev4.0 be able to boot with a single DIMM? The motherboard manual is a bit vague in that it only describes Dual Channel operations for RAM and says nothing about single channel.
Thanks again...
Thanks again...
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Reply to CosmoSparks
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Reply to Cristi72
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Get rid of 95% of your opening post so we can use this thread.
Your mobo - http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?p... uses dual channel ram.
Get a kit eg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... and use it.
Post your complete and detailed build
Your mobo - http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?p... uses dual channel ram.
Get a kit eg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... and use it.
Post your complete and detailed build
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Reply to i7Baby
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CosmoSparks
September 5, 2014 4:54:04 PM
Yup, I know it uses Dual channel RAM. Does that automatically mean it won't operate single channel?
Any particular reason you recommended that specific RAM? I don't think it's even on the motherboard supported RAM list and it's 1866MHz which the mobo manual says requires an AM3+ CPU which I don't have. (Of course the RAM I've tried so far isn't on the support list either.)
Any particular reason you recommended that specific RAM? I don't think it's even on the motherboard supported RAM list and it's 1866MHz which the mobo manual says requires an AM3+ CPU which I don't have. (Of course the RAM I've tried so far isn't on the support list either.)
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Reply to CosmoSparks
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CosmoSparks
September 7, 2014 3:32:29 PM
New Update: I replaced the CPU with an FX-8320 and I'm still having the same problem. Additionally if I put memory in all 4 slots, ensuring I am matching up the channels properly I still have about ~half the RAM showing usable.
Slot 1: 4GB Patriot Viper3
Slot 3: 2GB Patriot Sector 5
Slot 2: 4GB Patriot Viper3 (matched with slot 1)
Slot 4: 2GB Patriot Sector 5 (matched with slot 3)
Usable: 5.96GB
Whether I put in 4GB, 8GB, or 12GB I end up with half (minus about 0.04 GB) usable in Windows 7.
It seems the only thing that is common is the motherboard at this point. Ideas?
Slot 1: 4GB Patriot Viper3
Slot 3: 2GB Patriot Sector 5
Slot 2: 4GB Patriot Viper3 (matched with slot 1)
Slot 4: 2GB Patriot Sector 5 (matched with slot 3)
Usable: 5.96GB
Whether I put in 4GB, 8GB, or 12GB I end up with half (minus about 0.04 GB) usable in Windows 7.
It seems the only thing that is common is the motherboard at this point. Ideas?
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Reply to CosmoSparks
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CosmoSparks said:
It seems the only thing that is common is the motherboard at this point. Ideas?
It appears the motherboard is faulty. Before RMA it though, put all BIOS settings to "default" or do a CMOS reset (follow exactly the instructions from your motherboard's manual), maybe some setting is messing with the memory (it was something like "memory hole remapping" if I remember correctly, but since the 64-bit era I don't think it is used anymore).
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Reply to Cristi72
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CosmoSparks
September 15, 2014 6:08:46 PM
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