4 GB Installed 2 GB Usable Memory issue.

ctdummy · 06 Feb 2010

I just built a PC and installed Windows 7 Home Premium x64. My system shows 4 gigs of ram installed but only 1.99 GB usable. I'm not sure what else I can check here. I'm using an EVGA P55 LE with the latest bios.

Latest Bios
Memory remapping enabled
Check MSCONFIG max memory isn't limited.

I noticed that on EVGAs performance tool the memory is reading as single channel when it should read dual channel.

I'm using a Radeon HD 4890 1GB DDR5
OCZ Low Voltage Platinum PC-10666 Dual Channel 2GBx2 DIMMS

I've been scouring the internet in search of some sort of answer. Please Help!

richc46 · 06 Feb 2010

Its just the way win 7 manages memory.

If you have 4GB and windows sees it then whats happening is that windows is taking
2 GB as a primary superfetch, in addition to other functions.

Makes apps load faster and other things.

If the task manager shows 4 GB, then you are ok.

garysgold · 06 Feb 2010

Hello ctdummy,

Welcome to Seven Forums.

As Rich says, it is superfetch loading parts of your most used programs into ram so that they can open faster when you want them. If the ram is needed by running apps, superfetch will release the ram for that use. Nothing to worry about.

Gary

ctdummy · 06 Feb 2010

I'm still rather confused. This isn't exactly how the windows help describes this activity. Any guess as to why it doesn't recognize the ram as dual channel?

pbcopter · 06 Feb 2010

Try setting maximum memory in msconfig to 4096MB

pbcopter · 06 Feb 2010

Try CPU-Z. See if it shows dual channel

CPUID

ctdummy · 06 Feb 2010

It is showing as single channel there as well and it's only running at about half it's rated frequency.

steve-pressman · 06 Feb 2010

Have you tired switching the ram to different slots? 1-3 or 2-4 that usually is the culprit.

Steve

pbcopter · 06 Feb 2010

Since it is Double Data Rate RAM, 1066 will show as 533, that is normal.

I would follow Steve's suggestion regarding the RAM slots for Dual channel.

ctdummy · 06 Feb 2010

it seems to be performing well enough so I'm going to leave it be. They are pretty specific about which slots to use and I know it is set up correct. My main concern was system bios and whether or not windows would call on the remaining 2 GB of memory when needed.