Windows 7: 6GB DDR3 Ram Installed BUT only 2.75 USABLE?!

It would depend on entirely which company is making your Motherboard. They have to add the option somewhere into the BIOS. I would start there and banging there email servers with request to implement Memory Remapping.

If you desire Windows 7 to fully utilize the RAM under 6GB not used by BIOS, you'll need the x64 install, as others have said.

I had 4GB of RAM under Windows XP x32 and could only use a bit over 3GB. For my new i5-750 system and ASUS P7P55D motherboard, I decided to move up a bit and go with 8GB of RAM.

As a test, a quick install of Windows 7 x32 Home Edition could not access any more RAM than Windows XP x32 was able to access.

See the attached image for what Windows 7 x64 now shows in the Resource Monitor.

- wader

There are 32 bit operating systems that support PAE (physical address extension), which gives the ability to address more than 4GB.

XP, Vista, and Windows 7 aren't OSes that support PAE. That's independent of any motherboard. X64 is your only practical choice. That will require a clean install, and re-installing all applications.

Sorry 'bout that.

No, that is not true at all. To use DEP (Data Execution Prevention), PAE on the processor must be on and supported. Decause DEP address memory outside of the 32 bit limit so every DEP (hardware) enabled computer has PAE already on. You can in fact get more memory then whats allowed by circumventing licensing restrictions.

hi okay so you are saying using the (Data Execution Prevention) software can help me to enable and allow me to use all the remaning ram that i have left?

Also installing x64 bit shouldn't matter that much right? for the Intel quadcore 6850 cpu extreme that i have? I usually thought x64bit is ment for AMD cpus.

Actually, the only requirement that changes between x86 (32bits) and x64 (64bits) is the RAM.

32bits > Min 1GB
64bits > Min 2GB

Also, where did you get that false statement? 64-bits CPU started with the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition. See this page for more info : List of Intel microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But, yeah, AMD were the first one to release to the public 64-bits CPUs.

i have the same moherboard and chipset with 4 gig memory installed on a windows7 pro. 64 bit and have the exact same problem!!!!!

Loosenut
7

this should fix the problem

Make Windows 7 and Vista 32-bit (x86) Support More Than 4GB Memory Raymond.CC Blog

That's why you do the proper planning and research ahead of time. The memory limits of x86 OSes have been considered common knowledge in the computing field for about 5 years now, since the debate was raging on between XP and XP x64. I'm surprised someone would know enough to build a nice, top end system, and not understand they'd need an x64 OS to handle it all.....which acts as a segway to...

The fact is, if you want to use all of your memory, you need to run a 64 bit OS. Backing up your data, reinstalling the OS, and restoring your data is a very simple straightforward process that is FAR less painful than people make it out to be. Besides...wouldn't it be worth it, to be able to take full advantage of your system?

Your current setup is akin to put skateboard wheels on a new BMW M3. It's capable of so much more, but one simple incorrect decision is holding back the entire system.

As a general warning...DO NOT FOLLOW THIS GUIDE.

Enabling PAE can and likely will cause far greater issues with your system's drivers and stability. It really isn't a hard concept for people to understand, but there's no software trick to break the memory limit that exists in 32 bit OSes. This topic has literally been beaten to death on several other forum boards, and it is sad that there are still some who won't accept the findings. If you want to use 4 GB or more memory, you run an x64 OS. That's the only way.

PAE is meant for server OSes to enable 36 bit usage in some cases. It is not meant for a desktop, client PC, and likely will cause serious issues. if you want to use all your memory, do it the right way.