8 gb installed but only 6 usable?

[oSChakal]

Hello guys, I recently bought and build my new computer and I have a weird problem. I have 8gb

2 kits of 2x2gb of gskills ripjaw same models, used previously in another computer and the 8gb was showing just fine.

In the bios I see the 8 gig, cpu id see the 8gb, windows see the 8gb but only use 6gb (5.96 to be more exact)

I tryed basic solutions like, msconfig, checking/unchecking the memory box, timing, voltage reseating the cpu it didn't help with the ram but I got better temps atleast!

To be honest, I'm used to find workaround however on this one I'm clueless.


Rest of the computer;
FX-8320 stock
Asrock Extreme 3 970 Rev 2
8gig of g skills ripjaw in 2 kits of 2x2gb
HD 7870 stock
1tb hard drive western digital blue
Corsair 750tx

 

[MikeTheCISGuy]

2 GB might be automatically allocated for default system/hardware settings, leaving you with the 6GB available.

 

[robo7425]

Asrock has a program called Xfast-Ram, Do you have that running? It looks like it creates a ram-disk. That could be where your missing Ram is.

 

[2x4b]

As long as the BIOS sees the 8GB, and 'windows shows 8GB installed, then the RAM is working correctly.
Some memory is reserved for hardware use, leaving you with only 6GB "available".

 

[QuanTums]

You're fine. I have 8 gig w/ 64 bit Windows 8, and show 5.1 gig avail, 2.8 gig in use, with only a few apps running.