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Question

How can I make all 8GB of my RAM usable?

Feb 22, 2015 6:33PM PST

I just got 8 more GB's of RAM for my Desktop, but it gives me the good ole "3.99GB usable out of 8GB" in my computer properties, and as someone who hosts Game servers this is just annoying. I have looked around the internet consulting the great Google oracle, but I haven't found anything really helpful. So if someone here could give me some more direct help that'd be awesome!

So to clarify: How can I have my Computer access all 8GB of the installed RAM instead of just 3.99GB?

PC Speccles:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
RAM: PNY Optima 4x2 pack
MOBO: GA-P55-USB3 (Gigabyte)
CPU: Intel i5 core (760 @ 2.80GHz 2.79GHz)

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
which version of Windows 7??
Feb 23, 2015 3:17AM PST

You need to find out whether you have 32 bit or 64 bit windows 7 installed. 32 bit Operating systems are limited to under 4 GB of RAM. You can put more in but it will not recognize nor use it. Go Control Panel > System. It will tell you there.

My first inclination is to assume you have a 32 bit Windows 7, but that can be wrong. There are other things that can cause your problem if you have a 64 bit OS installed. So to get things narrowed down please tell us whether you have 32 bit or 64 bit.

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64 bit
Feb 23, 2015 3:29AM PST

(I just put this under the wrong response, woops)

Yeah, I heard this could be an issue so I checked up on it, my version of windows supports up to 16GB's of RAM.

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Clarification Request
Just to be certain
Feb 23, 2015 5:44AM PST

What does your BIOS report? Sometimes RAM is defective, not installed properly, etc. Nothing personal

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Bios
Feb 23, 2015 11:29AM PST

I havent checked that yet, let me get back to you I'll do it around now.

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Why do that? MSINFO32 will not report all RAM.
Feb 23, 2015 11:15PM PST

I think we found why you are seeing this.

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Answer
Re: more RAM
Feb 22, 2015 6:37PM PST

Simple: install a 64-bit OS. Linux is free, Windows 7 and 8.1 aren't. Windows Server 2012 isn't free either.

Kees

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64 bit
Feb 23, 2015 3:25AM PST

Yeah, I heard this could be an issue so I checked up on it, my version of windows supports up to 16GB's of RAM.

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Re: supports 16 GB
Feb 23, 2015 4:03AM PST

Where exactly did it say that?

If I run msinfo32, on the first page it says, I have 4.00 GB of RAM "installed" of which 3.86 is "total". And that's about all it says. In the properties of Computer it says "Installed 4 GB (3.86 GB available)" and one line lower "64 bit OS". So, if it was Home Premium, it would have been 16 GB max indeed (as I read in https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/05c7197e-e567-44d2-be9e-b8018ec4438a/what-is-the-maximum-amount-of-installed-ram-that-windows-7-x64-can-use?forum=w7itprohardware ).

Are you sure it says "64 bit OS" with you?

Kees

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MSINFO32 will not report all RAM. Links about.
Feb 23, 2015 4:15AM PST
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Yes
Feb 23, 2015 11:28AM PST

I checked thoroughly, my OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

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Answer
Check...
Feb 22, 2015 11:44PM PST

Is the win 7, x64 bit? Verify the bios has latest update, may times it handles ram better. Also, is that ram as compatible as it can be for your system? Understand, having 8gb reported just means its available, you can't force it to use 8gb, it will grab what it needs.

yeah, many times ram is reported as being present, but overall, if these aren't "identical ram" then some hic-up can happen. I use PCWizard to check the ram ID status and its specs. This also reports better what the system make-up is as well. Also, ram sold can have levels of ram readiness, like low, medium, or high level performance usage and temp rating. It seems you got the ram bundle, what level is rated as? Can you tweak using some Gigabyte pgm. the ram abit, mainly voltage, if so do that but only for a minor amount, say .01V increments and roughly until it fails, return to default level and tweak again until it remains stable(note it). Don'r assume anything, check it. Also, you *assume all risks*.

Also, I use CCleaner just to see what it states. Install and run, the main window(top section) reports basic system status, if 8gb is shown there, you really needn't do anything, IMHO of any of the above suggestions but of course you can have your PC setup to its utmost readiness doing the above.

tada -----Willy Happy

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I did two of those things
Feb 23, 2015 3:42AM PST

I did two of the things above, as some things aren't at my level (yeah, I'm kind of sad when it comes to certain things with software), so basically I did the easy stuff:

PCWizard registered 8172MB memory
CCleaner registered 8.0GB memory.

if you insist I try one or two or all of the others, I would need help on how to.

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Listed also
Feb 23, 2015 5:47AM PST

When you read the 8gb displayed, it should also listed the Windows bit amount, so it better be 64-bit displayed as well.

Now, IMHO you really needn't do anything more, the system sees 8gb and will access it as required/needed. If your PC came with any Gigabyte disc(s), review so-called system setup or status. Here is a link:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3311#ov

*NOTE* the Rev levels, is yours 1 or 2 ???? That's very important, some differences will be buried in there, select your Rev. level. Locate on your mtrbd. some decal/sticker or silk-screened notation.

The list of Gigabyte pgms. are there if you have no disc, d/l what makes you happy. Again, as my last post you assume all risks. The Hot and OC pgms. maybe what you're interested in. I can't add anything more, enjoy your learning curve.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Answer
OK, the OS is 64 bit. HOWEVER there is this thing.
Feb 23, 2015 3:35AM PST

If you ran a 32 bit system information tool, it may indeed report less than what the system memory is.

That's one thing.

Another is that in MSCONFIG we can limit RAM. There are some old buggy apps we do this in a pinch. Here's a link.
https://www.google.com/#q=msconfig+limit+ram

Bob