Solved 16 GB RAM installed but only 8 GB usable

jago86

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Trinidad
Hello,


I have 16GB of DDR3 memory installed but Windows 8.1 x64 shows that only 8 GB is usable.


I did overclock my processor yesterday and have only noticed it this morning, I'm not sure if it was reading the full 16GB when I initially overclocked.


Please see attached screenshots and system specifications below.


Your thoughts?


Regards,
James


Windows info.JPGWTM.JPGgeforce experience.JPG




System Spec


OS - Windows 8.1 Pro x64
CPU - AMD FX 6300 3.5 Ghz (Stock speed) - 95W Overclocked to 4.5Ghz
Motherboard - MSI 970A-G46 - BIOS 7693 v2.6
Memory - Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card - MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
PSU - Thermaltake TR2 600 Watt
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 4 Ghz (Stock speed) 95W
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD Audio - Logitech THX Z906 5.1 Surround Sound - 500W
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" LCD Television - LN32D405E3D
    Screen Resolution
    1360 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 840 (OS)

    Seagate 500GB (Miscellaneous) 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 500GB (Games) @ 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 1TB (Downloads) 7200rpm SATA 3
    PSU
    Cooler Master 800W
    Case
    Corsair HAF XM
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i
    Keyboard
    Klip Xtreme Multimedia- KMM 101E
    Mouse
    Genius Maurus
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Opera / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec Endpoint
    Other Info
    i love wantons, sushi, fruit cocktail, pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet

    F1 Savant
Could it be a speed problem with the RAM or that it is fitted in the "wrong" slots ? I see its says Hardware Reserved RAM of 8 gb.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 x64 pro and W8.1 x86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3750/Acer 9301
    CPU
    Intel i5/AMD Turion 64
    Memory
    4Gb/2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i5 internal/NVidia GEFORCE GO 6100
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    250Gb SSD and 120Gb
    Mouse
    HP Z4000
    Internet Speed
    76 down, 20 up
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Are you using a dual channel memory kit or 2 single channel module?

Do you have them in the proper slots if using dual channel? refer to your owners manual.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
No I don't think so. I didn't interfere with the DRAM settings or speeds.BIOS settings.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 4 Ghz (Stock speed) 95W
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD Audio - Logitech THX Z906 5.1 Surround Sound - 500W
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" LCD Television - LN32D405E3D
    Screen Resolution
    1360 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 840 (OS)

    Seagate 500GB (Miscellaneous) 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 500GB (Games) @ 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 1TB (Downloads) 7200rpm SATA 3
    PSU
    Cooler Master 800W
    Case
    Corsair HAF XM
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i
    Keyboard
    Klip Xtreme Multimedia- KMM 101E
    Mouse
    Genius Maurus
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Opera / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec Endpoint
    Other Info
    i love wantons, sushi, fruit cocktail, pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet

    F1 Savant
Yes it's dual channel.

Windows has always read them as the full 16 GB, this Hardware Reserved thing is new
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 4 Ghz (Stock speed) 95W
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD Audio - Logitech THX Z906 5.1 Surround Sound - 500W
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" LCD Television - LN32D405E3D
    Screen Resolution
    1360 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 840 (OS)

    Seagate 500GB (Miscellaneous) 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 500GB (Games) @ 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 1TB (Downloads) 7200rpm SATA 3
    PSU
    Cooler Master 800W
    Case
    Corsair HAF XM
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i
    Keyboard
    Klip Xtreme Multimedia- KMM 101E
    Mouse
    Genius Maurus
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Opera / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec Endpoint
    Other Info
    i love wantons, sushi, fruit cocktail, pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet

    F1 Savant
Usually dual channel is a kit of two modules of memory of the same size, i.e. 8GB + 8GB = 16 GB, that are placed in the proper slots on your motherboard per your owners manual. Dual channel actually works with CPU to run faster. It increases the bandwidth of transfer of information. Now, If you are using two single modules of the same size and were not part of a kit then they will operate as a single module only.

Check your packaging of the memory, it should say it on the label.

Be careful if it is dual channel. Make sure you place them in the right slots so it can utilize that feature. I learned from using ASUS boards to go right to left. Place one in the first slot then skip and place in the third slot. Figured that out after few hours trouble shooting an issue I had. Read your owners manual or check the makers website about it.

Could be what is causing the issue of how much RAM it is seeing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
I'll research single and dual channels as well as the order of the placement of RAM with certain kits etc.

Thank you, I learned something today!

And I've got it to work sort of.. Fiddled with BOOT Advanced Options and got it to show 15.5GB out of 16GB with 547MB reserved.

Boot Advanced Options.JPG

What do you make of the the following, do they look right to you?

15.5 GB Memory.JPG
CPU-Z i.JPG
CPU-Z ii.JPG
CPU-Z iii.JPG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 4 Ghz (Stock speed) 95W
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD Audio - Logitech THX Z906 5.1 Surround Sound - 500W
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" LCD Television - LN32D405E3D
    Screen Resolution
    1360 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 840 (OS)

    Seagate 500GB (Miscellaneous) 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 500GB (Games) @ 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 1TB (Downloads) 7200rpm SATA 3
    PSU
    Cooler Master 800W
    Case
    Corsair HAF XM
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i
    Keyboard
    Klip Xtreme Multimedia- KMM 101E
    Mouse
    Genius Maurus
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Opera / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec Endpoint
    Other Info
    i love wantons, sushi, fruit cocktail, pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet

    F1 Savant
That all sounds a bit more promising and yes, the numbers and percentages look reasonable taken at face value.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 x64 pro and W8.1 x86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3750/Acer 9301
    CPU
    Intel i5/AMD Turion 64
    Memory
    4Gb/2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i5 internal/NVidia GEFORCE GO 6100
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    250Gb SSD and 120Gb
    Mouse
    HP Z4000
    Internet Speed
    76 down, 20 up
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Now you have what you paid for and it looks normal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Ok cool, Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 4 Ghz (Stock speed) 95W
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI TwinFrozr III nVidia GTX 680 2GB
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD Audio - Logitech THX Z906 5.1 Surround Sound - 500W
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" LCD Television - LN32D405E3D
    Screen Resolution
    1360 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 840 (OS)

    Seagate 500GB (Miscellaneous) 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 500GB (Games) @ 7200rpm SATA 6

    Hitachi 1TB (Downloads) 7200rpm SATA 3
    PSU
    Cooler Master 800W
    Case
    Corsair HAF XM
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i
    Keyboard
    Klip Xtreme Multimedia- KMM 101E
    Mouse
    Genius Maurus
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Opera / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec Endpoint
    Other Info
    i love wantons, sushi, fruit cocktail, pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet

    F1 Savant
Your welcome
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Nuccii said:
Usually dual channel is a kit of two modules of memory of the same size, i.e. 8GB + 8GB = 16 GB, that are placed in the proper slots on your motherboard per your owners manual. Dual channel actually works with CPU to run faster. It increases the bandwidth of transfer of information. Now, If you are using two single modules of the same size and were not part of a kit then they will operate as a single module only.
Ummm, this is not accurate.

Dual channel memory architecture is a motherboard feature. "Kit" is simply a marketing term for two like sticks wrapped in the same package. With modern motherboards and RAM, you can buy two single sticks (with the same specs) individually, put them in the appropriate slots and viola! - you are running in dual channel!

While the exact same brand is preferred to ensure identical specs, today's motherboard memory controllers are very capable of making slightly dissimilar sticks work well together.

Way back in the olden days (dual channel has been around for 50 years!!!), RAM manufacturing techniques were not as good as today. Neither were the raw materials a pure as they are today. So RAM makers actually tested each stick individually to match pairs, then wrapped those pairs in sets or "kits" in the same packaging. This is why back then, dual-channel sets cost more than buying sticks individually.

Today, modern RAM makers no longer need to test each RAM stick individually because testing has shown the specifications for each sticking coming off the production line is well within the acceptable tolerance range to ensure compatibility. RAM making has become an extremely reliable process and this is one reason it is near impossible to find RAM that is not warranted for life. It is just that good.

So the only reason we, as consumers need to buy RAM in dual-channel (or triple channel) "kits", is to save money. It costs less to buy in quantity. Plus less packaging is good for the environment.

Finally, what really happens is dual channel allows the RAM to communicate between the RAM and the memory controller on each side of the "flip-flop" of the bus for "in theory", twice the bandwidth. Note that many CPUs today have memory controllers on die. Note too that theory and real world rarely jive. And they don't here either. So while you will get some performance gains with dual-channel, it will not be double.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
...dual channel allows the RAM to communicate between the RAM and the memory controller on each side of the "flip-flop" of the bus for "in theory", twice the bandwidth. Note that many CPUs today have memory controllers on die. ....

Thanks for making me understand Itaregid :)
One doubt though - what is 'die'?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 15
    CPU
    Haswell Core i5 4200U
    Memory
    8GB Dual-Channel DDR3L @1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 Integrated; 2GB Dedicated NVIDIA GT 740M
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 840 EVO Internal SSD ;
    2TB WD MyPassport Ultra EHDD ;
    1TB TOSHIBA HDD
    Cooling
    Deepcool X6
    Mouse
    Logitech B175 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    10 Mbps
    Browser
    Opera v25.0
    Antivirus
    KIS 2014
    Other Info
    Microsoft Wired Xbox 360 Controller

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 15
    CPU
    Haswell Core i5 4200U
    Memory
    8GB Dual-Channel DDR3L @1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 Integrated; 2GB Dedicated NVIDIA GT 740M
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 840 EVO Internal SSD ;
    2TB WD MyPassport Ultra EHDD ;
    1TB TOSHIBA HDD
    Cooling
    Deepcool X6
    Mouse
    Logitech B175 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    10 Mbps
    Browser
    Opera v25.0
    Antivirus
    KIS 2014
    Other Info
    Microsoft Wired Xbox 360 Controller
If he has a dedicated 2GB GPU, how is he not able to use the full 16GB RAM? I don't recall seeing this before. Though technically, he probably won't ever need the <1GB memory he'd get if this were 'corrected'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
If he has a dedicated 2GB GPU, how is he not able to use the full 16GB RAM?
In this case, these are not really related factors. He has a graphics card, not integrated. But even if integrated, it would not take away 8Gb.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If he has a dedicated 2GB GPU, how is he not able to use the full 16GB RAM?
In this case, these are not really related factors. He has a graphics card, not integrated. But even if integrated, it would not take away 8Gb.

Yep, that was really strange.

With an integrated GPU, it usually reserves only a small amount for itself. In this case, he has a dedicated card, and it is still reserving some memory. I am curious why he isn't able to obtain the full 16GB. Limitations of the memory itself, or need of more memory for the card, perhaps?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
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