Full Memory Capacity Not Being Recognized - 16GB reads (7.96GB Usable)

Cooolaid · Oct 11, 2014

Computer Build:

1. - Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 Motherboard -- (BIOS version is [FB]) - (rev. 3.0)
2. - AMD FX-8350 CPU
3. - NVidia GTX 660Ti-FTW Graphics Card
4. - G-Skill F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL (DDR3-1333) (PC3-10666) CL9-9-9-24 / 1.5v Memory Sticks.
5. - Windows 7 Ultimate x64-bit SP1

[Problem]:
My computer is only using 8-GB of memory when I have 16-GB installed.
My BIOS says it has 16-GB. - (16384 mb)
My Computer Properties says it has 16-GB installed.

This is my CPU-Z screenshots of my system that has the problem.

http://i.imgur.com/Z4uL3Yt.png

http://i.imgur.com/mO5cfbB.png

http://i.imgur.com/eIvRIa0.png

http://i.imgur.com/xzsh1pb.png

http://i.imgur.com/FiCmPwq.png

http://i.imgur.com/VgaF4Ls.png

http://i.imgur.com/OFyoSdN.png

[Things I Tried]:

A. - Reseating memory 3 times.
B. - Reseating CPU 2 times.
C. - Checking for bent pins 2 times.
D. - Changing positions of memory 3 times.
E. - Used (memtest98) 2 times.
F. - Used Windows Memory Diagnostics Utility 2 times.
G. - Updated any and all patches and updates to Windows 7 Ultimate x64-bit SP1
F. - Updated NVidia Graphics Card Patches and Updates.

Any help to solve this problem would be greatly appreciated.
thank you.

rmark45matsu · Oct 11, 2014

Your using the same stick of ram x2 in a dual channel, correct? Try this:

Check possible issues with the physical RAM
The problem may occur because there are issues with the physical RAM installed.
Check whether you have bad memory modules

To check whether you are experiencing this issue, turn off the computer, unplug the computer, and then swap the order of the memory.
Make sure that the memory arrangement is correct

Refer to the User's Guide of the computer to determine in what order the memory modules should be inserted into the memory slots. The system may require you to use specific slots when you are not using all the available slots. For example, the computer has four slots available. But you may have to use slot 1 and slot 3 if you want to use only two memory modules.
Check whether memory standoff cards are used

If you use a memory standoff card to hold multiple memory modules on the computer, the system may require specific configurations for this scenario. Therefore, the usable memory may be less than expected.

Cooolaid · Oct 11, 2014

There is 4 sticks of memory installed, each are 4-GB capacity.
(all slots are occupied)

Paul NZ · Oct 11, 2014

See if something like memory remap is in the BIOS.

Cooolaid · Oct 11, 2014

I have not found anything in regards to "memory remap" in the BIOS.

SkateArc · Oct 11, 2014

Cooolaid :

Try installing the ram one by one to see if any of it is bad.

Cooolaid · Oct 11, 2014

I tried 1 ram stick at a time, all memory sticks are working fine.

Tradesman1 · Oct 11, 2014

Try raising the CPU/NB voltage to 1.16

Cooolaid · Oct 11, 2014

Tradesman1 :

How do I do that for my particular motherboard, please ?

Tradesman1 · Oct 12, 2014

In the BIOS

Cooolaid · Oct 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Don't mean to sound rude, but that answer is a bit vague.
This is a brand new motherboard and I don't intend on damaging it.
Can you please be a little more descriptive in the steps I have to take, to achieve this resolution to my particular motherboard.

thank you.

Tradesman1 · Oct 12, 2014

Go into the BIOS and look for the CPU/NB voltage (should be grouped in w/ other voltage setting - the CPU/NB handlse the MC (memory controller) voltage, set it to 1.2. AMD MCs are more aimed at 2 sticks (even though the majority of their mobos have 4 slots)

Cooolaid · Oct 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

I have changed the North Bridge voltage from 1.1v to 1.2v
and rebooted the computer and I am still getting the same problem.

Here below in the spoiler are the 4 main section images of the BIOS:

http://i.imgur.com/apz5JYc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9lGeWDN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EV3RCW1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/r1KsjuY.jpg

.

Tradesman1 · Oct 12, 2014

OK, drop the NB back to previous, your MC is using the VTT for it's feed - so try DRAM voltage at 1.5 and VTT at 1.14

Cooolaid · Oct 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

It will not allow me to change the [Profile VTT Voltage] setting.
Putting the DRAM Timing Selectable in [Expert] or any other mode, still does not allow the change.
The buttons under [Expert] remain grayed out, as shown in the picture below in the spoiler.

I looked around each page and still have not found a way to make those buttons light up so I may change the settings.

http://i.imgur.com/bCIHHld.png

.

Tradesman1 · Oct 13, 2014

Do you have the latest BIOS?

MIJ-VI · Oct 16, 2014

Under the OP's circumstances I would try booting from an Ubuntu Live DVD for a second opinion:

Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS (Trusty Tahr)
http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/

ubuntu-14.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso

In Terminal run
free -m

--

That BIOS/UEFI version is rather old:

FB, 2. 84 MB, 2013/01/23
Modify memory compatibility
Modify PCI RAID card compatibility

For some reason GIGABYTE posts a lot of Beta BIOS versions for their motherboards:

FCg, 2.85 MB, 2014/10/07
Beta BIOS
Update CPU AGESA code

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM3+ - GA-990FXA-UD5 (rev. 3.0)
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4455#bios

Full Memory Capacity Not Being Recognized - 16GB reads (7.96GB Usable)

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