4gb memory installed and 2gb usable

dannyencasa · 29 Dec 2010 at 23:02

I recently upgraded my pc and purchased an overclocked bundle. Intel Core i5-760 Socket 1156 Quad-Core (overclocked @4ghz) + Asus P7P55D-E + Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 PC3 12800 1600MHz + Contac 29 CPU Cooler.

After installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 64bit. I've noticed that in the properties on my computer, it indicates that I have 4gb memory installed and in brackets 2gb usable.

I've also noticed that in the bios under system information it also indicates 2048mb usable.

Why is this? Where is the missing 2gb? Why is the bios only showing 2gb?

I have tried swapping the sticks (still the same), I have tested each stick individually (both are ok).

Any ideas what could be causing this and how to resolve this.

Many thanks

cammy5477 · 29 Dec 2010 at 23:12

if youve tried both sticks individually and there ok sounds like the ram slot on the board is dodgey....have you tried them in slots a2 and b2? default is a1 and b1

dannyencasa · 29 Dec 2010 at 23:44

cammy5477 said:
if youve tried both sticks individually and there ok sounds like the ram slot on the board is dodgey....have you tried them in slots a2 and b2? default is a1 and b1

I have tried them in slots a2 and b2, and the system doesn't boot up.

I have also tried them in slot a1 and b2, the system boots up as normal and it no longer shows the 2gb usable memory, instead 3.5gb usable

cammy5477 · 29 Dec 2010 at 23:46

why dont you clear the cmos (pull the battery) and let it go back to stock settings and see what it says after that?

dannyencasa · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:05

cammy5477 said:
why dont you clear the cmos (pull the battery) and let it go back to stock settings and see what it says after that?

I will do that tonight and let you know.

pastymuncher · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:26

dannyencasa said:
I have tried them in slots a2 and b2, and the system doesn't boot up.

I have also tried them in slot a1 and b2, the system boots up as normal and it no longer shows the 2gb usable memory, instead 3.5gb usable

On the P7P55D series boards if using two sticks of ram then they should be installed in the two light blue slots (A1 + B1). In the bios have you got memory remapping enabled? It's in Uncore configuration.

dannyencasa · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:38

pastymuncher said:
On the P7P55D series boards if using two sticks of ram then they should be installed in the two light blue slots (A1 + B1). In the bios have you got memory remapping enabled? It's in Uncore configuration.

I realise that when using two sticks of ram they should be installed slot A1+B1. When I purchased the bundle it was already installed in that way.

Earlier I made a typo error. I meant to say that I've tried in slots B1+B2 and system doesn't boot up, then I tried slots A1+B1, the system boots up as normal and shows 3.5gb usable.

I may try later tonight slots A2+B2. but I know that it will be in single channel like slots A1+B1.

And yes the memory remapping is enabled.

This is getting fustrating....

mmj_uk · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:41

Does it happen when you underclock the memory? this is usually what happens when one of your sticks doesn't work at the rated speed (1600mhz).

dannyencasa · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:50

mmj_uk said:
Does it happen when you underclock the memory? this is usually what happens when one of your sticks doesn't work at the rated speed (1600mhz).

It does still happen even when I set the bios defaults.
I haven't tried underclocking it, I will give that a go.

But I bought this bundle as an overclocked bundle and I would expect that it was tested before I purchased it.

Lemin · 30 Dec 2010 at 11:07

Id give em a ring, they will help.

dannyencasa · 30 Dec 2010 at 11:14

Lemin said:
Id give em a ring, they will help.

I just have to do that

dannyencasa · 31 Dec 2010 at 11:36

dannyencasa said:
I just have to do that

Oh well I did everything I could to solve the problem.

I took the bundle back this morning to the shop, they've tested it and indicated that the motherboard is faulty.

Therefore, they recommended replacing the bundle. But I decided that I didn't want that bundle and opted for the P6X58D-E MOTHERBOARD / INTEL i7-950 CPU / OC @ 4.2Ghz / FRIO CPU COOLER / 6GB DDR3 1600Mhz MEMORY

Now time to leave the office and get back home, and install / test this new bundle.

Lemin · 31 Dec 2010 at 11:38

I knew they would sort it for you. Good luck.

dannyencasa · 6 Jan 2011 at 13:56

Lemin said:
I knew they would sort it for you. Good luck.

This new bundle works better than ever

craigxt22 · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:29

Rather than make a new thread, I thought I'd ask in here.

I've just built a system with 4GB ram, and under System properties it is saying only 3.5GB usable.

I'm using the inbuilt graphics card on my motherboard. I've read elsewhere that the graphics is using the RAMs resources.

Is this where the missing .5GB is? Will buying a dedicated GPU fix this?

Cheers :cool:

DragonQ · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:44

The motherboard's GPU will indeed use system RAM. You're using a 64-bit operating system, right?

pastymuncher · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:51

dannyencasa said:
This new bundle works better than ever

Glad it's sorted for you.

On a side note, change your siggy before a mod deletes it. Only 4 lines of text allowed.

craigxt22 · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:54

DragonQ said:
The motherboard's GPU will indeed use system RAM. You're using a 64-bit operating system, right?

Cool.

Yeah I'm using Windows 7 64bit.

I don't really use my system for gaming, I take it would be worth investing in a cheap graphics card so I can get my full 4GB?

mmj_uk · 6 Jan 2011 at 19:02