Only 3.4GB ram usable?

zMarkon · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:03

Posting for a friend, he recently done a build and was installing programs like afterburner etc

He then installed a game to try the system out when it said he was running low on memory. He has 8GB installed but only 3.4GB usable.

Does anyone know what he has done? Maybe installed programs to his RAM? And how is it fixed?

Thanks

RJC · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:04

He could have a iffy memory module.

What are the full system specs?

Edit: Also what wazza300 mentioned below.

Sharlaw · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:05

I'm guessing he only has a 32 bit OS installed. He'll need a 64 bit edition to use all installed memory.

wazza300 · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:05

If he has 32bit windows then that's normal,to make use of more than 3.5gb you need 64bit windows

OracIe · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:06

Normally x32 will recognise it as 3.12.

What does the BIOS report?

zMarkon · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:11

Ahh he didn't tell me he's on 32 bit spent ages trying to solve this and missed the obvious thing to check first..

Thanks guys

wazza300 · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:29

Some windows disks have both 32/64 bit versions if he has that then he can install the 64bit version