8gb of RAM installed but only 4gb usable

[archdruidloran]

My specs:
Old CPU: AMD FX-4350 Vishera Quad-Core 4.2 GHz Socket AM3+ 125W FD4350FRHKBOX Desktop Processor
New CPU: AMD FX-8370 4.0 GHz (4.3 GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ FD8370FRHKBOX Desktop Processor
AMD Radeon™ R9 270X Double Dissipation Edition
GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P (rev. 1.0) AM3+/AM3 AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module

I had this problem with my old CPU so I bought a new CPU and reinstalled windows. I tried switching my RAM into different slots and setting my maximum RAM in MSConfig and none of it worked. My BIOS detects 8gb of RAM as well. Please help, Thanks.

 

[Guest]

64bit OS?

 

[archdruidloran]

64bit OS?

Yea it's not a software issue. Windows Professional x64

 

[PatrioticPickle]

Do you have the RAM in the 2nd and 4th slot in the mobo? If that doesn't work, try 1st and 3rd slot

 

[Guest]

If 8GB is detected in the BIOS, it seems like a software issue.
Download Memtest.
Close all programs and insert an amount above 4GB to test.
Heres a tutorial: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/check-your-ram-with-memtest/
Windows might not detect all the RAM but it may be useable.

 

[archdruidloran]

If 8GB is detected in the BIOS, it seems like a software issue.
Download Memtest.
Close all programs and insert an amount above 4GB to test.
Heres a tutorial: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/check-your-ram-with-memtest/
Windows might not detect all the RAM but it may be useable.

Mem test said it could not detect 4000MB of RAM and my computer randomly restarts, I also reinstalled windows be it was to no avail.

 

[PatrioticPickle]

Sounds like 1 stick could be faulty, did you try inserting in the 2nd and 4th slot or 1st and 3rd slot

 

[PatrioticPickle]

Another thing, which could be causing issues, is that your motherboard bios isn't updated to support your processor. http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4717#ov

Checkout where it says. 'To enable AM3+ AMD FX-Series CPU support, please update your motherboard with the most current BIOS found in your motherboard’s download section.'


But before doing any of this. Try using just 1 stick of ram to see if one is faulty

 

[archdruidloran]

Another thing, which could be causing issues, is that your motherboard bios isn't updated to support your processor. http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4717#ov

Checkout where it says. 'To enable AM3+ AMD FX-Series CPU support, please update your motherboard with the most current BIOS found in your motherboard’s download section.'


But before doing any of this. Try using just 1 stick of ram to see if one is faulty

I tried 1 stick with both sticks in every slot and it didn't get past starting windows. It would just infinitely reboot. I reinstalled windows and now with 10gb of RAM windows and the BOIS recognize 10gb, but only 3.97gb is usable. I've updated my BOIS as well.

Ok now I installed my drivers and messed around with the msconfig and I have 10gb installed but 8.98gb usable. I don't know what I did.