8 gigs RAM (3.95 usable) very very confused

Mark Endsley

Reputable
Oct 28, 2014
28
0
4,530
Just as it says, in system properties and in Nvidia's experience program they both say 8 gigs of ram (3.95 usable)

I have

AMD A4-6300
MSI A58M-E33 Motherboard

I have every combination between the two ram slots with a single and both sticks.

Both slots work, both sticks work, just not together (though it does recognize they are both there, just not usable) Messing with the max memory on msconfig causes a blue screen if I turn it on.

Here is what I am kind of suspecting it is: I am using two different brands of RAM, that are the same speed and timing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313097
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231739

I've never known two sticks of ram to completely not work together, but is this possible, or is there another solution to my problem?

 

Dogsnake

Distinguished
Go into the bios and confirm all 4 sticks are recognized. Do you see the option to set the timings for all 4 sticks? You must match every parameter of each stick manually. You must set the voltage manually to the 1.5v for each also. So select one pair and then set all the available settings for the other set to match the first. Besides the first 6 settings (starting with CasL/aka Cas Latency) there are a number of others you need to match for the second pair. Do not use any automatic settings. Using different model and or brands of memory can cause all sorts of issues and is never recommended. If it were me I would buy 4 the same.
 
Try this and see if it helps:
Click on Start
Type msconfig in the search bar and press enter
Once System Configuration is open click on the Boot tab
Click on Advanced Options
Make sure there is not a check mark in the box beside Maximum memory:
Click on OK to exit the Advanced Options windows
Click on OK again to exit System Configurator
You may have to reboot
After rebooting check to see how much memory is available
 

Mark Endsley

Reputable
Oct 28, 2014
28
0
4,530
I've tried that Ken, and it says 4040, I just tried doing all the settings manually in the bios as well as underclocking the RAM, no luck, I'm thinking of just sending this RAM stick back and buying one of the same kind as the one I have.
 


That is probably a wise move. It is best to have two from the same manufacturer with the same specs. Let us know if that solves the problem.