Solved Help with reserved memory...

Tizzysawr

New Member
Messages
7
Hello guys :)

I just built a new system with windows 8 and I'm having a small issue I don't know how to fix, if possible to. Thing is, out of 8GB of RAM I happen to have, windows says I can only use 3.95 as the rest are "hardware reserved". I've looked through different posts about it and found no answer as to why this is, so I wanted to know if anyone can help me with this :\ Several of the stuff I've done/checked are:

- I am running 64bit windows 8 professional, so this isn't a 32-bit limit issue.
- Both windows and the BIOS recognize 8gb of ram.
- I have a RADEON HD 6950 graphics card, so those 4gb should in no way be related to video memory. Also this mobo doesn't have an integrated graphics chip anyway.
- I've already checked max memory in msconfig, it's unchecked.
- The RAM sticks are set to dual channel in the mobo (Channels 1 and 3 specifically).

Any idea what the problem could be here? :( I'm attaching an image of what the process monitor says regarding ram.

ramissue.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350 (8-core @ 4Ghz)
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire RADEON HD 6950
When I have this problem...it is always due to the memory speed the bios is setting for the ram. Since you know how to go into your Bios...I will skip that.

Go into the bios and find the setting for you Ram speed.
Drop it down from the freq it is at by one notch. What I mean is if it is say running at 1600MHz then drop it down to 1333MHz.
Save and reboot into windows and check the hardware memory reserved amount.

It seems to be an odd quirk with windows 8. Once you have full amount of ram available in windows then you can use the bios to slowly increase the ram speed back up.

However from many tests there is not much difference between 1333 and 1600 performance wise. Also for me to get my ram at and above the rated speed and it all to be available required me to adjust my CP/NB and HT speeds.

Hope that helps. Let me know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
I'm about to try that.

However, I noticed something else. CPU-Z says I have 8gb of ram... running on single-channel. I tried switching a stick from DIMM3 to DIMM2, just in case, and it still says the same. Any idea why this is and if this could be the issue?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350 (8-core @ 4Ghz)
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire RADEON HD 6950
The single and dual channel selection has made no difference for me. I am an avid overclocker and when I push things to far the ram hardware reserve issue rears it ugly head if I forget to adjust bios ram settings.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
Yeah that thing about Dual Channel is highly over rated. I have even seen a drop in performance with it when memory if highly tweaked. If on Gigabyte MB do not use Ganged Mode either. Just make sure you can run memory with Command Rate at T1 and latencies will drop like a rock.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I'm about to try that.

However, I noticed something else. CPU-Z says I have 8gb of ram... running on single-channel. I tried switching a stick from DIMM3 to DIMM2, just in case, and it still says the same. Any idea why this is and if this could be the issue?

I have had this problem before and the only way that worked for me was to re-run the Windows Experience Index Assesment. To do this just open the attatched folder and open the file for the steps...

Hope This Helps,
Josh
 

Attachments

  • WEI Assess.zip
    141.8 KB · Views: 147

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW + AOC 2243W
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA)
    250GB WD iSCSI attached drive
    PSU
    750W PSU
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Dell Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7 Gaming Mouse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-5260S ATA Device
Hi guys!

Sorry I disappeared. My PSU was busted (Apparently was the responsible for my old motherboard dying) so I had to get a new one after it died on me on my new system. Once I got it, it turned out the faulty PSU had decided to pull a class act yet again and damaged my new motherboard, so I had to get one.

I'm running on the new mobo (so far so good, new PSU so no more charles manson numbers for me I hope) and the system seems to locate the 8GB of RAM just fine, no issues at all. Since I've done nothing in particular, I believe the reason my old (new) mobo only allowed me to use 4GB of ram was the PSU acting up and not sending voltage as it should.

Nevertheless, thanks for your help. I'm posting here mainly so that if anyone comes looking for an answer to this issue they might find yet another possible reason why windows says half their RAM is reserved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350 (8-core @ 4Ghz)
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire RADEON HD 6950
Thanks for replying back and although costly I am glad your problem is finally fixed! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW + AOC 2243W
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA)
    250GB WD iSCSI attached drive
    PSU
    750W PSU
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Dell Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7 Gaming Mouse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-5260S ATA Device
And once again, the importance of a good PSU is proven and underscored. It's not so much about the power but quality of current without too much fluctuation. Lousy, cheap PSU do not have enough regulation and filtering stages and when loaded could produce large voltage spikes that can wreck havoc with highly sensitive circuits that computer parts are comprised of.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Actually, my old PSU was a 600W thermaltake that had never caused me any problems - in fact, whenever we had short power outages/voltage variations all pcs in this house (all of them using generic PSUs but mine) would restart except for mine, which would go on as if nothing had happened. I just guess I was the one in a thousand for whom a certified PSU actually started burning down pieces instead of just dying quietly as it should've done.

I have replaced it with a 650W Corsair one, not so much because the Thermaltake was bad - It worked perfectly during 6 years of heavy duty and I think the way in which it died was bad luck, not poor manufacturing - but because I looked into it and Corsair seems to be pretty much the way to go if you want a PSU that's guaranteed to be good.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350 (8-core @ 4Ghz)
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire RADEON HD 6950
In that case it was just a bad luck I guess, TT has a good reputation and so does Corsair but have to note that most PSU manufacturers produce PSUs with varying qualities within same power range.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thermaltake, OCX and Corsair are the best in my humble opinion ! I have a Thermaltake 1000W PSU and it's rock solid, almost zero fluctuation.

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Looks like Seasonic is all the rage now but they produce circuits for few other makes although overpriced they are probably the best "consumer grade" PSUs. Where I am, Chieftec PSUs are considered to give best value for the money and I have a good experience with them. Have one of them that even it being on the edge of power requirements for my system, when input power fluctuates for short time, lights blink and TV and monitors shut down, computer stays on. So it has good reserve in form of capacitors large enough to be considered oversized. Thru the time, wet capacitors loose some of their capacitance and they are the ones that are responsible for "aging" of PSUs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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