Available Memory issue with Windows 7

Monstermunch · 21 Apr 2017 at 22:47

I'm running an Asus P6X58D-E Motherboard and originally installed windows with only 6gb RAM (3x 2gb).

I managed to get a recent upgrade 3x sticks of 4gb and removed the old but windows will only recognise 8gb.

Even on boot it only seems to see 8gb but I have updated the bios and any motherboard drivers and nothing seems to see the 12gb except through CPUID which reads correctly.

Can anyone help?

Monstermunch · 21 Apr 2017 at 23:03

What?

That makes no sense it's tri-channel memory and motherboard!

Monstermunch · 21 Apr 2017 at 23:44

Old 3x 2gb was Patriot Viper

New 3x 4gb is Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz Cas9

All settings in bios are left as standard, all on auto. When I try and set it all manually it won't boot but having said that i'm pretty useless when it comes to bios settings!

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 00:25

You can't mix sizes with the tri-channel stuff

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 00:43

PiKe said:
Is all the vengeance exactly the same model?

Yes, it's a proper tri-channel kit. Bought as a 3x 4gb kit

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 10:09

bledd said:
Does each stick work one at a time in the 3 slots?

Tri channel boards do not boot with a single stick

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 16:05

bremen1874 said:
Why would be believe that? Single-channel, dual-channel, triple-channel, are all fine.

To quote the manual (section 2.4.1):

I read many places that you couldn't....

Now tried that and even tried swapping them all round, also tried 2 sticks etc. as well. No difference...

Everything is working fine and showing in CPUID but not bios or windows, even msconfig says only 8gb available

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 21:44

Hikari Kisugi said:
What OS are you using?

-edit
specifically which version of windows 7.

Pro 64, I know about the 8gb limitation of the home edition ones

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 22:35

jpaul said:
a google shows many comments of this variety

I sure hope your new CPU cures your issue, but the missing memory problem is extremely common with i7-900 series CPUs in triple channel memory mode. Probably the most common issue people have with this platform. It comes and goes, I've seen hardware monitoring tools show different amounts for memory at the same time, and even on different tabs of the same too

(well over 95% of this type of failure are a single bent CPU socket pin)

double post

Monstermunch · 22 Apr 2017 at 22:50

jpaul said:
a google shows many comments of this variety

I sure hope your new CPU cures your issue, but the missing memory problem is extremely common with i7-900 series CPUs in triple channel memory mode. Probably the most common issue people have with this platform. It comes and goes, I've seen hardware monitoring tools show different amounts for memory at the same time, and even on different tabs of the same too

(well over 95% of this type of failure are a single bent CPU socket pin)

I did read several posts about the heatsink being attached too tightly affecting the triple channel cpu's and boards but seriously if that is the case or what you have mentioned I would think they need to re-think their product testing methodology before selling to consumers!

Monstermunch · 23 Apr 2017 at 17:51

Well balls!

I guess I'll give that a try then, think I might ship it off as my new work PC and build myself a new one