Solved Widows won't use all of my RAM???

[Henness]

Okay, I have windows 7 64-bit and when I start my computer it says "Installed memory (RAM): 12.0 GB (7.99 GB usable)" but on the odd occasion it says "Installed memory (RAM): 12.0 GB (3.99 GB usable)" I have flashed my BIOS to the newest version and my BIOS recognizes that I have 12 GB of RAM. But for some reason I cant use the full 12 GB, also my mother board supports up to 24 GB of RAM. This is my motherboard but its not a refurbished. I also have checked that msconfig is not limiting how much my computer boots with.

If anyone has any ideas on why my computer is doing this it would be very much appreciated!

 

[Layback Bear]

What does your Bios see for ram amount?
Then show us a picture of your Resource Monitor like this.

 

[Henness]

My BIOS said 12000000K or something like that.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm thinking you got that from your Bios, is that correct?

 

[Henness]

The 12000000K? ya that's where I got that I went into my bios and checked

 

[Layback Bear]

Where are you getting the figures of 3.99 and 7.99 usable ram?

 

[Henness]

 

[Layback Bear]

Well all the numbers add up. What it is telling you is yes you do have 12 gigs installed. Your are using for hardware,standby and unused the rest of the ram. Now to understand what those things are just hold you cursor over each one and you will see a short explanation of what they are.
Hardware
Modified
Standby
Used
I really don't see a problem.
Does you computer operate correctly? Remember that Windows 7 handles the way the ram is used and it does a great job doing it. When you start do things on your computer Windows 7 will adjust things cache, standby and the like. If you want to free up ram you have to turn things off in the background. If things are working as they should that is not a must to do. Ram is there to be used.

 

[Henness]

Why does my computer use 4GB or sometimes when it chooses 8GB for Hardware??? When Like your computer uses 9MB?

 

[Layback Bear]

Very sorry I missed that. That is high for hardware to the best of my memory. Lets do a little research and see if we or someone else has a answer. I will be back when I find something.

 

[Layback Bear]

I see you have 2 460 video cards is that correct? They will be reserving a lot of hardware memory. Dual monitors. The more hardware that is attached to the computer the more memory is in hardware reserve. What those amount are per add on I don't know.

 

[Henness]

Why does it fluctuate from 4 to 8 GB if Im not adding or removing any hardware? Also I never had this problem when I had 4 GB I was able to use almost all of it and I had Both monitors.

 

[Henness]

Okay, here it is with only 3.99 usable. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Layback Bear]

Well I don't know what is causing it. If it was my computer I would start with default.
No over clocking of anything. Make note of ram changes. Using the mother manual I would make sure all my ram is installed correctly. I would check the EVGA motherboard Forum to see it any body else is having this problem.
Then I would use the computer with the onboard video and make note of the changes in ram use. Add one GTX 460SE and make note of ram changes. It's a process of elimination. Some piece of hardware is asking Windows for more ram in reserve at times. I'm thinking because of the large amount be requested it is probably the video cards. Double check and make sure the bios are correct.

 

[Henness]

My motherboard doesn't have on board graphics, Ill go see on the evga forum to see if anyone else has this problem.

 

[Henness]

It turns out from process of elimination that 3 of my 6 sticks of RAM are defective, and one of them ocationaly works thats why it sometimes would be 3.99GB rather than 7.99GB.

 

[Layback Bear]

Three out of six I call very bad luck. I'm glad you got it figured out. Those types of things is always a process of elimination and time. Your ram usage in Resource Monitor look great. I keep Resource Monitor on my task bar so I can take a peak at the ram a few times a day to make sure things stay as set.
Mark this thread Solved if you are happy.
Just for information. I have tall heavy ram heat sinks and I added a dual fan cooler. It took me a long time to figure out that the weight of the heat sinks and the ram cooler at times would wiggle a stick or two of ram loose. Reseated the ram and left the cooler off and it has been two weeks with no problem.

 

[Wrend]

I would guess more likely a compatibility, stability, or tolerance issue than the DIMMs being bad. Of course, make sure your BIOS are updated. I've heard of a lot of people having issues with getting high capacity and speed RAM to work with multiple DIMMs on more than a few recent motherboards, including EVGA's. Sometimes a BIOS update will resolve the issues.

 

[Layback Bear]

My way of thinking is little different than many others. If I have problem (A) and a bios update address that problem (A) then I update the bios. If a bios update doesn't address problem (A) I look for other methods to repair problem (A). Most bios updated are to address a problem some people are having with their/there system. I keep hand written notes in my motherboard manual of the bios I have used and what was the effect. I'm about 3 updates behind but I'm not having a problem so I won't change them just because their/there is a new update.

 

[Henness]

It ended up being four and they were two sets I bought at the same time, so I think I got a bad batch. And The RAM is bad because my computer wont even post with one of the bad sticks in by them selves. I ended up finding a few things that helped me on the EVGA forums. I tried every thing that person said and the RAM was the only think that didn't check out. The good thing is my RAM has a life time warranty. Thanks for your help.