8gb ram running @3.9gb???

Dave0w · 30 May 2012 at 12:56

i have just fitted 8gb 4x2gb sticks of XMS3 1600mhz ram, but for some reason windows is saying only 3.9gb can be used?

system:
Mobo: MSI H55M-ED55 (1156)
Cpu: intel i5-750 @ stock
O/S: win7 ultimate 64bit

can any other parts affect ram? or can there be any other reason for the problem?

RJC · 30 May 2012 at 12:58

Are you using a separate gpu?

Leeroy123 · 30 May 2012 at 13:03

Try 1 set and then the other set, you could find 1 set is faulty and wont boot.

Dave0w · 30 May 2012 at 13:05

RJC said:
Are you using a separate gpu?

yes a 1gb 6770

Leeroy123 said:
Try 1 set and then the other set, you could find 1 set is faulty and wont boot.

if it had a dead stick it would not boot, i know this because i just had a dead stick and it would not boot so i got all new.

8 Pack · 30 May 2012 at 13:31

Have you tried CPU-Z to see how much this utility sees. Dont trust Windows with such things.

Orcvader · 30 May 2012 at 13:37

See if there's a memory remapping option in the BIOS?

Leeroy123 · 30 May 2012 at 13:39

Dave0w said:
yes a 1gb 6770

if it had a dead stick it would not boot, i know this because i just had a dead stick and it would not boot so i got all new.

Not true, i also had a dead stick and used 4 sticks and it did boot and did exactly the same thing as whats happening here. Depends what slot the stick is in. Had that problem on 2 occasions with the same ram type, so it could well be this.

wazza300 · 30 May 2012 at 13:41

the i5 750 doesnt have built in igpu anyway,but th mb may still be reserving some memory for it so turn off onboard graphics if its on auto

Yaayuh! · 30 May 2012 at 14:04

Dave0w said:
if it had a dead stick it would not boot, i know this because i just had a dead stick and it would not boot so i got all new.

Not exactly true. If it's "dead" or not seated correctly it can just appear as though it doesn't exist.

1. Try re-seating the RAM in the DIMMs
2. If possible try the RAM in a different PC
3. RMA

Leeroy123 · 30 May 2012 at 14:09

It will be the ram mate.

Surveyor · 30 May 2012 at 14:48

Is this your watercooled system?

Have you tried loosening your CPU water block a tiny bit?

Kotu · 30 May 2012 at 15:08

when you say windows can only use 3.9GB is it still seeing the rest but not letting you use it? how does it show up in the resource monitor?

Dave0w · 30 May 2012 at 15:11

nope it as a nero2 cooler fitted right now

when i get home i will try the ram one stick at a time and also put it in a second system

Dave0w · 30 May 2012 at 15:12

Kotu said:
when you say windows can only use 3.9GB is it still seeing the rest but not letting you use it? how does it show up in the resource monitor?

it says i have 8gb but only 3.9gb usable

am going to try a bios update too

Leeroy123 · 30 May 2012 at 15:19

Thats exactly what mine did mate, with that same ram, i remember it said. 8gb (3.9g usable) . It was faulty ram.

Dave0w · 30 May 2012 at 16:56

problem sorted. the ram is 2 sticks of ver5.11 and 2 sticks of ver6.0 and the kit was mixed up. i have now put all v6.0 in channel one and all ver5.11 in channel 2, the system now boot fine with 8gb usable.

Leeroy123 · 30 May 2012 at 17:48

what you like lol.