Only 3.87GB usable on Gigabyte H55-UD3H

Vertigo · 20 Feb 2010 at 16:34

Ok so I've just put together a system based around the above motherboard with a Core i3 and 2 x 2GB of OCZ memory.

For some reason I don't have the full 4GB available. Windows 7 reports "4.00GB (3.87GB usable) and the BIOS itself reports the installed memory as 4096MB but the "total" memory as 3968MB.

Now my first thought was that some memory was being taken for the on-package graphics on the i3 but I'm not using this and the motherboard is set to disable the on-package graphics if a separate card is installed. I can't see any separate setting for memory "allocated" to the on-package graphics.

Anyone got any ideas?

mmj_uk · 20 Feb 2010 at 18:11

Have you tried both sticks on their own just to rule out a faulty memory module? seems you are missing 128MB...

Vertigo · 20 Feb 2010 at 18:41

Not tried that but figured that, since the BIOS was showing 4096MB installed, it was unlikely the DIMMs were faulty. 128MB does look very much like the amount it would take for on-board graphics tbh.

I will try the DIMMs separately tomorrow to see if that makes any difference but my money's still on it being taken for graphics. I reckon they've put an option in the BIOS to disable the on-package graphics but it's still reserving the memory. Have raised a support issue with Gigabyte.

mmj_uk · 20 Feb 2010 at 18:54

The reason I asked is because it's a fairly common problem with i7 systems (which as you know don't have onboard graphics), many people have rectified it by RMAing the RAM.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18107770

Vertigo · 20 Feb 2010 at 19:10

Hmm, ok thanks for that - didn't realise.

Will definitely test each stick individually tomorrow then.

Vertigo · 21 Feb 2010 at 01:39

Ok this gets weirder and weirder.

Tried each of the DIMMs by themselves and, in each case, the reported memory is 1984MB, i.e. 64MB missing from each one!

mmj_uk · 21 Feb 2010 at 17:16

Hmm, are you sure there is not a setting hidden in the bios somewhere for the shared video memory? it might be under the CPU settings seeing as its integrated into it.

bagzer · 22 Feb 2010 at 00:40

run msconfig and then go into boot and the advanced option, in there you should see on the top right maximum memory, make sure thats unselected. if it is already selected that could be your problem

zo1d · 23 Feb 2010 at 15:50

Have you read this post, http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18102404 as it appears other H55 Gigabyte boards are reserving memory.

Corasik · 24 Feb 2010 at 16:10

mmj_uk said:
The reason I asked is because it's a fairly common problem with i7 systems (which as you know don't have onboard graphics), many people have rectified it by RMAing the RAM.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18107770

I believe that although its a "common" problem with i5/i7 its normally an entire channel thats not working, and as such much more than 128meg disappears.

DavyBoy · 24 Feb 2010 at 19:43

Don't these i3's have onboard GPUs?

It will more than likely be a setting in the BIOS that you can select to assign some RAM to that.

A similar thing happens with an old AM2 mobo I had with onboard graphics.

If you have a graphics card connected and are not using the GPU that's on the processor, then you just need to change the BIOS setting for assigning RAM to the onboard graphics to auto or disabled if your BIOS allows it and make sure the onboard graphics is disabled, that way it doesn't alocate any RAM to the onboard GPU.

This definitely sounds like the problem mate, 64GB is being assigned to the onboard GPU in the processor.