Solved 64-bit system finds only 3328 MB RAM

[higgins]

64-bit system finds only 3 GB RAM with 5 GB installed

Hi all!

Weird issue with this setup:
MSI P35 Platinum Combo
Intel E8200 CPU
2x2GB DDR2 RAM
dedicated graphics card

BIOS shows recognizes 4096 MB RAM, but shows only 3328 MB as usable (yes, that number is from BIOS, too).

Best tip I found was to enable Memory Remap, but I can't find such option. It has some weird BIOS where I can change voltages and stuff. I've never really dealt with OC'ing.

I don't have another stick handy to see if the cap holds with added RAM.

Any ideas how to get the full RAM into use?

 

[fireberd]

Generally its around 3.5GB of useable out of 4GB of RAM. A 64 bit OS uses a tad bit more memory than a 32 bit OS and may account for the extra RAM usage.

 

[higgins]

Generally its around 3.5GB of useable out of 4GB of RAM. A 64 bit OS uses a tad bit more memory than a 32 bit OS and may account for the extra RAM usage.

So, this allocation happens at BIOS level? As I said, BIOS claims I have usable 3328 MB.

 

[fireberd]

I've never seen that in a BIOS. I missed that part.
To add, if its not showing the correct amount in the BIOS, it has nothing to do with 64 bit or 32 bit OS. Maybe a BIOS reset will fix it.

 

[higgins]

I added 1GB of memory. BIOS shows the 5120 MB correctly, and at the same time, still shows only 3328 MB as usable.

E8200 is 64-bit as per Intel's website.

 

[fireberd]

Did you try the BIOS reset?

 

[Alejandro85]

This seems incredibly similar to this other post:
windows 7 - Why does my sytem only uses 3.2GB of my 4GM RAM? - Super User

In short, it's possible to be a limitation on the motherboard rather than Windows itself. Even though Windows 64 bits hasn't the ridiculous 4GB arbitrary limitation of the x86 version, it's still bound to the hardware limits and maybe other hardware is using that address space for its own purpose.

 

[higgins]

Did you try the BIOS reset?

Pulled the plug. Took out the CMOS battery. Held the power button down for 20 seconds. Didn't to the jumper reset. Nothing changed.

This seems incredibly similar to this other post:
windows 7 - Why does my sytem only uses 3.2GB of my 4GM RAM? - Super User

In short, it's possible to be a limitation on the motherboard rather than Windows itself. Even though Windows 64 bits hasn't the ridiculous 4GB arbitrary limitation of the x86 version, it's still bound to the hardware limits and maybe other hardware is using that address space for its own purpose.

I don't think it's either. According to the mobo manual, it recognizes up to 4GB DDR3 or up to 8GB DDR2 memory, so, it shouldn't be a hardware limitation, especially given that I use DDR2.

I have currently 5GB RAM installed and BIOS still shows 3328MB usable. With 4GB RAM it showed 3328MB usable, too, and as such, I'm ruling out the GPU use that other guy had trouble with. The GPU address should take away a fixed amount, not set a cap.

 

[higgins]

*bump*

 

[malwarecide]

it depends on manufacturers specs of RAM

 

[higgins]

My greatest suspicion so far is that despite the BIOS info on the processor model, I'm probably dealing with a 32-bit processor after all.

Intel® Coreâ„¢2 Duo Processor E8200 (6M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) Specifications

If the official website wouldn't claim it 64-bit, I'd just have believed it's 32-bit due to how it performed. Is there some smart way that I could "test" the bit type or... just to make sure which bit type it really is?

 

[Alejandro85]

My greatest suspicion so far is that despite the BIOS info on the processor model, I'm probably dealing with a 32-bit processor after all.

Intel® Coreâ„¢2 Duo Processor E8200 (6M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) Specifications

If the official website wouldn't claim it 64-bit, I'd just have believed it's 32-bit due to how it performed. Is there some smart way that I could "test" the bit type or... just to make sure which bit type it really is?

No, it's 64 bits. Look in the link you posted, it clearly says "Instruction Set 64-bit".
A quick and dirty test to actually probe that is that it was capable of booting a 64 bits OS. If it were a 32 bits one, a x64 Windows disk wouldn't have even installed to begin with.
Nowadays it's very difficult to come by a 32 bits CPU, anything built in the last 8/10 years is already using 64 bits capable CPUs, even if only running 32 bits OSs.

 

[Pauly]

If you look at control panel>system how much memory does it show as installed/usuable

 

[higgins]

If you look at control panel>system how much memory does it show as installed/usuable

That's from BIOS, but here you go:

No, it's 64 bits. Look in the link you posted, it clearly says "Instruction Set 64-bit".

What I meant is... the BIOS claims it's E8200. I haven't taken off the heat sink to make sure what it actually says on the chip.

Nowadays it's very difficult to come by a 32 bits CPU, anything built in the last 8/10 years is already using 64 bits capable CPUs, even if only running 32 bits OSs.

The rig is around 7 years old. I mean, did you check out the freaking mobo? It's sick. Both DDR2 and DDR3 support with HW RAID on top. Never seen anything like it.

A quick and dirty test to actually probe that is that it was capable of booting a 64 bits OS. If it were a 32 bits one, a x64 Windows disk wouldn't have even installed to begin with.

I'll try that, but one other guy here recommended doing a BIOS reset. As I just discovered, doing that dicked up the whole RAID array and I'm kind of out of my depth with HW RAID. This needs be fixed before I can proceed trying a 64-bit OS.

*sighs and digs into the MOBO manual*

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is a good little free program that will give you lots of information about your system.
This tutorial by kari will be helpful.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/311593-speccy-publish-snapshot-your-system-specs.html

 

[Alejandro85]

This needs be fixed before I can proceed trying a 64-bit OS.

But you already have a 64 bits OS!!!!!!
Your specs say so, and so does this thread's title, everything pointing in that direction. With a 64 bits OS already running, there is no way to have a 32 bits only CPU.
It's trivial to actually check, just open "computer" properties and it will say if it's 32 or 64 bits OS.

Even then, that's not the reason of the missing RAM. 32 bits CPUs and OSs support up to 64 GB, not only 4.

 

[Layback Bear]

Another thing could be mismatched ram.
Speccy will also let you know exactly what ram is installed and in what slot of the motherboard.

 

[AddRAM]

It`s time for a new board, that thing is old

That board is kind of unique, it supports ddr2 and ddr3

At least pull the ddr2 and put 4 GB of ddr3 in it.

 

[Layback Bear]

DDR2 and DDR3 motherboard is a great way to get mismatch ram.

 

[higgins]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/311593-speccy-publish-snapshot-your-system-specs.html

Any particular reason I should use Speccy over HWinfo? Just curious.

At the moment of the posting, I had dicked up the original 32-bit Windows XP installation with my failed attempts to install 64-bit Windows 7, so, hence BIOS screenshots.

That board is kind of unique, it supports ddr2 and ddr3

That was my first reaction as well. I mean, my personal board is also a transitional one, with two DDR2 slots and two DDR3 slots, but it doesn't hold a candle to this... Six slots, two for configuring between DDR2/DDR2 and four slots for RAM. It's absolutely sick. Plus it supports HW RAID. And did you see the bling on the transitioning sticks? You just... don't see this every day.

At least pull the ddr2 and put 4 GB of ddr3 in it.

Mobo manual said it supports 4GB DDR3 or 8GB DDR2. It'll go to a graphics person, so, I was thinking upgrading it to 8GB DDR2 would make more sense than 4GB DDR3. I mean, I know it'll go to 5GB DDR2, so it will probably go to 8GB as well, but I don't have enough spare DDR3 sticks to see if the 4GB DDR3 cap is real or not. I'd have to buy some to find out, which I currently can't do. Capacity is more important to graphics than clock, as I get it.

In addition, I've heard that pre i3, i5, i7 etc processors can't take the full advantage of DDR3 memory. Not sure if it's substantiated though.

I'll mark the thread solved (since the original question is solved now), but I'd be happy to continue discussing this topic.

But you already have a 64 bits OS!!!!!!
Your specs say so, and so does this thread's title, everything pointing in that direction. With a 64 bits OS already running, there is no way to have a 32 bits only CPU.
It's trivial to actually check, just open "computer" properties and it will say if it's 32 or 64 bits OS.

Ah, it's not my personal PC under my profile I'm dealing with. The rig in question had 32-bit Windows XP installed and Windows 7 volume license upgrade doesn't care what bit rating the computer was licensed to before, so, I had the option to install either 32-bit or 64-bit copy of Windows 7 on it.

64-bit Windows 7 installation took a loooong time and had problems, but 32-bit Windows 7 installed fine. Then I noticed the RAM limitation under BIOS and thought maybe it was 32-bit despite what the Intel page said. So, being encouraged here that it should indeed be the 64-bit, I tried another USB stick.

Looks like my old 64-bit USB was bad, as the new one installed correctly and indeed shows 5GB RAM under computer properties. BIOS still shows 3328 usable though, so, go figure.

Rep goes to Alejandro85 and Pauly as those two answers helped me the most.