Only half of RAM Usable [Solved]

[Confusing Name]

I have two sets of ram, a 2x2GB and a 2x4GB for a total of 12GB. But right now I only have 5.97 usable. What's odd is that when I only have the 2x2 in, I have 4GB but only 1.97GB usable. And when I have the 2x4 in I have 8GB but only 3.97 usable. I'm going to try swapping and cleaning them again, but none of the sticks had apparent damage.

Also, I just changed to a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P.

I can answer any questions and appreciate any help.

Updates: Yes, I am in 64-bit.
No, it is not Msconfig
It doesn't appear to be the Bios, but I struggle with gigabytes UI
Safe mode starts it with the same 5.97GB usable

[˜lokkandload˜™]

32 or 64 bit OS?

[SundownKid]

You have have accidentally installed your OS in 32 bit.

[˜lokkandload˜™]

32 bit OS will only ever see 4Gbs ever period, but 64 bit will see it all and i's usable. Technically in 32 bit the RAM is still there, but the OS wont see it.

[zombie cat]

Originally posted by DoubleP2k:

I have two sets of ram, a 2x2GB and a 2x4GB for a total of 12GB. But right now I only have 5.97 usable. What's odd is that when I only have the 2x2 in, I have 4GB but only 1.97GB usable. And when I have the 2x4 in I have 8GB but only 3.97 usable. I'm going to try swapping and cleaning them again, but none of the sticks had apparent damage.

Also, I just changed to a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P.

I can answer any questions and appreciate any help.

you probably have your os in 32 bit.

[Confusing Name]

I am in 64-Bit Win10

Using Resource Monitor I found that 6178MB of RAM are Hardware Reserved.

[Azza ☠]

When you say it's usable, do you mean as in it's free memory?

Windows will press itself more into using memory (why waste it), app/game dlls will be loaded into memory and kept there rather than swapping in/out all the time.

For example (just rough / approx)...

If you had 4GB of RAM:
2GB = Game
1GB = Operating System
0.5GB = System Reserve
0.5GB = Free

If you had 8GB of RAM:
4GB = Game (normally a game would use 1-3GB)
2GB = Operating System
1GB = System Reserve
1GB = Free

If you had 16GB of RAM:
4GB = Game
4GB = Operating System
2GB = System Reserve
6GB = Free (or up to 12GB available, if the OS doesn't hog it and you don't have game/app running)

If the memory is being used up, it isn't actually a bad thing - it's better than it sitting there idle.

Under your Windows Resource Monitor, you will see (Hardware reserved, In Use, Modified, Standy, Free). Windows at any time can release the Standby / Cached memory, when it needs more for application/game running. Also System Reserve is set aside for the Operating System not to get drowned out if a memory leak or hog occurs.

[Confusing Name]

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

When you say it's usable, do you mean as in it's free memory?

Windows will press itself more into using memory (why waste it), app/game dlls will be loaded into memory and kept there rather than swapping in/out all the time.

For example (just rough / approx)...

If you had 4GB of RAM:
2GB = Game
1GB = Operating System
0.5GB = System Reserve
0.5GB = Free

If you had 8GB of RAM:
4GB = Game (normally a game would use 1-3GB)
2GB = Operating System
1GB = System Reserve
1GB = Free

If you had 16GB of RAM:
4GB = Game
4GB = Operating System
2GB = System Reserve
6GB = Free (or up to 12GB available, if the OS doesn't hog it and you don't have game/app running)

If the memory is being used up, it isn't actually a bad thing - it's better than it sitting there idle.

Under your Windows Resource Monitor, you will see (Hardware reserved, In Use, Modified, Standy, Free). Windows at any time can release the Standby / Cached memory, when it needs more for application/game running. Also System Reserve is set aside for the Operating System not to get drowned out if a memory leak or hog occurs.

I mean usable as in System info says: Installed memory (RAM): 12.0GB (5.97GB usable).
I know enough to know that Windows should not be locking me out of 50% of RAM

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by DoubleP2k:

Using Resource Monitor I found that 6178MB of RAM are Hardware Reserved.

Hardware Reserved should never exceed 20MB~30MB + 64MB~512MB.

What memory are you installing (brand / specs) and into what slots? They are all the same specs right? Note the colour coding RAM slots (matching duel channel memory isn't placed next to each other rather it's in odd or even slots - 1+3 or 2+4 work together). What voltage is your memory?

Under BIOS > Advance memory settings > Ensure max memory limit isn't checked. While you are at least, also ensure XMP profile is enabled and selected.

[Confusing Name]

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

Originally posted by DoubleP2k:

Using Resource Monitor I found that 6178MB of RAM are Hardware Reserved.

Hardware Reserved should never exceed 20MB~30MB + 64MB~512MB.

What memory are you installing (brand / specs) and into what slots? They are all the same specs right? Note the colour coding RAM slots (matching duel channel memory isn't placed next to each other rather it's in odd or even slots - 1+3 or 2+4 work together).

Under BIOS > Advance memory settings > Ensure max memory limit isn't checked. While you are at least, also ensure XMP profile is enabled and selected.

I have do dig up the RAM specsw but I have been using them for over a year and this problem is new

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by DoubleP2k:

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

Hardware Reserved should never exceed 20MB~30MB + 64MB~512MB.

What memory are you installing (brand / specs) and into what slots? They are all the same specs right? Note the colour coding RAM slots (matching duel channel memory isn't placed next to each other rather it's in odd or even slots - 1+3 or 2+4 work together).

Under BIOS > Advance memory settings > Ensure max memory limit isn't checked. While you are at least, also ensure XMP profile is enabled and selected.

I have do dig up the RAM specsw but I have been using them for over a year and this problem is new

Possible reasons:

1) You have set a max memory limit on your system (normally found under the BIOS).

2) You have mis-matched memory, different specs / voltage settings. Most likely different voltages will cause the issue. Check if memory is 1.5V (standard) and not higher. You can't have 1.5V working next to a 1.65V memory set, for example. If MHZ or CL timing is different between them, the motherboard attempts to default to the slowest speed too.

3) You have a damaged motherboard RAM slot. In which case, test it in sets of two (making sure to use the 1+3 slots or 2+4 slots for correct duel channel), then keep with just two memory sticks (not 3 or 4 - 3 will disable duel channel and 4 is physically damaged and probably can't be repaired without a motherboard replacement).

[rotNdude]

Also go into your motherboard BIOS and see what the memory remapping is set to.

[Confusing Name]

Originally posted by rotNdude:

Also go into your motherboard BIOS and see what the memory remapping is set to.

I don't like the new UI for gigabyte, I think I found stuff about RAM speed, but I'm not sure how to check mapping.

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

Originally posted by DoubleP2k:

I have do dig up the RAM specsw but I have been using them for over a year and this problem is new

Possible reasons:

1) You have set a max memory limit on your system (normally found under the BIOS).

2) You have mis-matched memory, different specs / voltage settings. Most likely different voltages will cause the issue. Check if memory is 1.5V (standard) and not higher. You can't have 1.5V working next to a 1.65V memory set, for example. If MHZ or CL timing is different between them, the motherboard attempts to default to the slowest speed too.

3) You have a damaged motherboard RAM slot. In which case, test it in sets of two (making sure to use the 1+3 slots or 2+4 slots for correct duel channel), then keep with just two memory sticks (not 3 or 4 - 3 will disable duel channel and 4 is physically damaged and probably can't be repaired without a motherboard replacement).

I don't know where the max memory limit would be, but I don't think it is that because the usable is always 50% of whatever my total ram is, be it 4, 8 or 12.

The memory mismatch wouldn't make sense because these exact RAM cards have worked together for 2 years on gigabyte mobos

The Mobo is new and I have no reason to think the slots are damaged. The cards could be, because the original mobo got damaged, but the problem doesn't seem to indicate hardware issues

[Confusing Name]

Oh, and BIOS is up to date, and tweaking voltage didn't do anything

[initiaLiSeD]

Don't mix RAM brands, types, capacity or batch numbers in a high performance gaming system.

Ditch/sell/repurpose the 2x2GB stick and keep the 2x4GB kit in your system.

My system is temporarily running 8GB, it was running 12GB but I lent a 4GB stick to a friend (it's OK I have an X58 triple channel system). When it was on 12GB Windows Task Manager would tell me I had 12GB with 6GB used, now i am running with 8GB with 6GB used. Settings/System/About and Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System always lists the correct amount of installed RAM. Where are you getting these numbers?

[Azza ☠]

So you are sure it's in the corrects motherboard ram slots to duel channel (sets of 2)? And that it's compatible / matching memory?

Start > Run > Type "msconfig" (without quotes) and select from the list.
Under that, look at the Boot (tab) > Advanced Options.
There is no cap set on CPU/Memory there?
If you change anything under that - test it first. Then go back, change it again, but check the Make all boot settings permanent box, and click on OK.

If it's not under that, Start > Run > Type "cmd.exe" and right-click it "Run as Admin".
Under that type "bcdedit /deletevalue {default} truncatememory" and press enter.
If something has truncated the memory for Windows, that will remove it and set it back to full (which is default settings).