Windows only detecting 4gb (3.96) out of 8gb

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electricdeuce

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Dec 3, 2014
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Today I was testing some memory for a friend and after I put my ram back in, I had started windows and there were only 5.96 out of 8gb usable. So I checked the bios, no settings on RAMdisk or that sort of thing. Restarted the computer and now there's only 3.96 gb usable. Windows and bios recognizes 8gb running at 1066. So I decided to check dxiag because I had heard that windows likes to allocate memory. What I had noticed is that my 2gb gddr5 graphics card (amd r9 270x) is has 4gb allocated to it. I was wondering if there was some setting to change this windows allocating memory thing because it had never happened before to me.

Specs:
AMD FX-8320 @4.5ghz
8gb ddr3 3 sticks rated at 1333 and 1 at 1066 so mem is at 1066
MSI 970a-g43 mobo
AMD r9-270x
 
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electricdeuce

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Dec 3, 2014
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*update*: I decided to swap dimm 1 and dimm 3 (which are both matching ram) and the computer booted and said that 8gb were usable and if i restart it it goes down to 6gb of 8 usable.
 
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hydranix

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Dec 19, 2013
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Atmos929, you're incorrect, please do not spread disinformation.

32-bit operating systems can use up to 64GB of memory with PAE extensions.

Microsoft forces a a restriction on their 32-bit OS's to coerce you to pay for an upgrade.



@Original poster

You have 3 sticks of memory which are not matching.

You have a dual channel motherboard, so if you have two matching sticks (ideally identical in brand and timings) use your dual channel slots.

For the other mismatched stick, place it in the first open slot AFTER the other two have been installed.


Typically the configuration will be

1st Matching stick = slot closest to your CPU. [BLACK]
2nd Matching stick = the THIRD slot from your CPU. [BLACK]
Non-Matching stick = the SECOND slot away from your CPU. [BLUE]
 
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electricdeuce

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Dec 3, 2014
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4,510
That is how I have my setup. Yes the 2 of 4 sticks arent matching but theyve worked since 2012. On the first channel i have my corsair xms3 on dimms 1 and 3 (the black ones). My mismatched ram is on channel 2 (blue ones). I figured eventually the ram wouldnt like the setup but why would it do that after just a reseat. Im planning on getting a whole new ram kit soon, its just really confusing on why this is happening.
 
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