I have 8GB of RAM but my computer says I only have 4GB?

[kspice]

Running Windows XP - fully updated.
Just installed a new mother board ASUS P8B75, Intel Core i5-3450 CPU, 2 x 4GB of Strontium DDR3 RAM and a new HDD which I reloaded Windows XP onto.
Diagnostics now tell me I only have a bit less than 4GB of memory? Where has the other 4GB gone?
How can I get it recognised?

 

[alvine]

make sure ur using 64 bit, 32bit os is limited to 3-4gigs of ram

 

[Supernova1138]

Windows XP is a 32 bit OS, so it has a maximum memory addressing limit of 4GB for RAM. Unless you have the 64 bit version of XP, you won't be able to use more than 4GB. Go into your system properties to check which version of XP you have, if it says nothing about 64 bit or x64, you have the 32 bit version.

If you want to use more than 4GB of RAM you need to have a 64 bit OS. So you'll either have to track down a copy of 64 bit XP, which isn't that well supported, or upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[po1nted]

Windows XP is a 32 bit OS, so it has a maximum memory addressing limit of 4GB for RAM. Unless you have the 64 bit version of XP, you won't be able to use more than 4GB. Go into your system properties to check which version of XP you have, if it says nothing about 64 bit or x64, you have the 32 bit version.

If you want to use more than 4GB of RAM you need to have a 64 bit OS. So you'll either have to track down a copy of 64 bit XP, which isn't that well supported, or upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit.

+1

 

[mobrocket]

fire up ubuntu 64 bit and see what is says...

sounds to me like the 32 bit O/S issue which is very common

 

[einterlan]

Why do you use a Core i5 Second gen + 8 GB ram whit Windows XP? Cant figure out!

 

[game junky]

Agreed - max RAM for x86 is between 3.25GB to 4GB usable. You would need to hunt down a x64 version of XP. Honestly though - wtf aren't you using Win7?

 

[kspice]

Thanks for the info guys.........looks like I'm off to get a Windows 7 upgrade!

 

[mubin]

Thanks for the info guys.........looks like I'm off to get a Windows 7 upgrade!

Of course 64-bit win 7. 32bit win 7 will do the same thing.

 

[game junky]

Of course 64-bit win 7. 32bit win 7 will do the same thing.

Yup Win7x64 Home Premium will address 8 GB, Win7x64 Professional will address upwards of 8GB

 

[Supernova1138]

Actually Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit supports up to 16GB of RAM, Professional and Ultimate support up to 128GB I believe.

 

[game junky]

Actually Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit supports up to 16GB of RAM, Professional and Ultimate support up to 128GB I believe.

Oops, you are correct - Home Basic is 8 GB, Home Premium is 16 GB, Pro/Ulti is 192GB (for 64-Bit). Good call...

 

[kspice]

Best answer selected by kspice.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr