Only 3GB of 4GB usable RAM on 64bit windows 7 D:

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Oct 12, 2012
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Hi everybody.

I recently purchased a 4gb ddr2 kit of ram for my PC (2*2GB)

My mobo is Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L, and on the gigabyte website it states that it will support 4GB of RAM,

But after I installed the 4gb kit i noticed that windows says that only 3gb is usable, "4GB (3GB usable)"

I am running 64bit windows...

I'm so confused here, what could be the problem that stops all of the RAM from being usable?

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2693#sp (my mobo)

Thanks...
 
Solution
You have integrated graphics in the North Bridge so double check your bios and make sure the bios is releasing any memory that it might be using for the integrated graphics card. Although I have seen some cases where even when it is disabled the bios would not release the memory for it.

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I have an ATi HD 7750 with 1GB of dedicated graphics, so would it still share the memory with that?

P.S sorry for double post :pfff:
 

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I have some new information;

In resource monitor, it tells that 1025 mb of ram is 'hardware reserved'.

This would explain why only 3gb is usable..

But what hardware is using it? I have a dedicated graphics card...

Also, in msconfig, I have unchecked the box that sets 'maximum memory'
 

Pepto

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Jan 12, 2012
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very strange indeed... is the integrated graphics on the motherboard AMD/ATI based? If so there might be some hybrid crossfire going on. If you have a AMD APU then that is even more likely.
 

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I don't believe that my mobo even has integrated graphics...

When I connect my display to the vga port on my mobo it doesn't display anything. and the gigabyte website doesn't mention anything about ATi integrated graphics.

My CPU is Core 2 Duo e6850...

 

Pepto

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Then I am stumped, sorry :(
 

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I don't have any other cards other than my GPU..

And yes, I am definitely running windows 7 64bit.
 

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There is no memory remapping option in my bios..

I tried resetting the CMOS, but I am still having the same problem..

Thanks for you help :)
 
You have integrated graphics in the North Bridge so double check your bios and make sure the bios is releasing any memory that it might be using for the integrated graphics card. Although I have seen some cases where even when it is disabled the bios would not release the memory for it.
 
Solution

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What would I look for in the BIOS to see if it is holding back any memory?

Thanks for your help :)