I have 16GB RAM, Only half being used.

[Bill Ellson]

Hi all. I built and have been running this system without an issue for about a year. Recently, I've noticed that when I open task manager, and look at my resources, Windows is only showing a maximum of 8GB of RAM. I have 16GB (4x4GB)of Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz installed.

On my last thread, Pinhedd suggested that I test all four DIMMs individually in the first slot, which I did, and all booted fine. He also suggested picking one of the DIMMs and testing it in each slot. All booted fine. I put all four DIMMs back in, and I still have 8GB in Windows. What is really weird is that my BIOS now show that I have 8GB installed, Windows shows that I have 8GB installed, but CPU-Z shows that I have 16GB installed. I'm not sure what's going on.

All four of my DIMMs are good. All four of my slots are good. What's the problem here, and why is it happening?!

 

[kajjot]

Just on a side note, do you actually need 16GB?
I have 8GB and never seen it go past 5GB used.

 

[Bill Ellson]

I hardly ever use 8GB. I totally agree with you. But it's just the fact that this is happening that bugs me. It's in the back of my head, and i's killing me.

 

[iceclock]

id rma the ram dude best idea i think

 

[kajjot]

I don't think ram is faulty if all modules work individually.
If anything, it would be the motherboard.
Have you tested all the slots one by one and also maybe try clearing CMOS.

 

[Bill Ellson]

I tried putting a single stick in each slot one at a time. All sticks are good. All slots are good. I have cleared CMOS several times.

 

[Bill Ellson]

I've also taken off my RAM cooler, so there's no shorting.

 

[iceclock]

well he can always rma both the ram and the motherboard if everything else fails.

 

[kajjot]

I gather that both are out of warranty.
Have you got an acquaintance that has 4x4 DDR3 for you to try? or even 4x2GB just to make sure.
Apparently there was a bios update for your board for better memory compatibility.
I would start by trying to get bios updated. Maybe unplug everything and leave 1 module and then try to update.

 

[iceclock]

good idea maybe updating the bios would help and just booting with 1 stick to update seemslike an idea

 

[Bill Ellson]

I'd get a screenshot if I could. Whenever I try to update the BIOS it says there's an error of some sort, and it's restarting. I get like a half second visual before it goes away. I've tried earlier versions of it, still errors.

 

[iceclock]

have u tried with a usb key?

 

[kajjot]

Product Warranty
This product comes with a 3 year limited warranty. Registration is recommended.

Try mobo RMA on the grounds of bios not updating.

 

[iceclock]

yes he goes 3 years warranty id rma that stuff right nao

 

[Bill Ellson]

I just sent in an RMA request for the board, I still had 488 days left to do it. Guess I'll update as this goes along. Thanks for all your help. ^^

 

[iceclock]

anytime sir also send that ram in at the same time

 

[Stephen Rebelo]

What was the result? I am in the same situation. Windows 7 Home Premium, Bios recognizes 16, windows says 16 (8GB usable) max mem is not checked. 8GB is Hardware Reserved even though I don't have any integrated graphics..

 

[Bill Ellson]

What was the result? I am in the same situation. Windows 7 Home Premium, Bios recognizes 16, windows says 16 (8GB usable) max mem is not checked. 8GB is Hardware Reserved even though I don't have any integrated graphics..

Just got on here and realized you asked for an update. Well, 8 months later. A few weeks ago I ended up reinstalling windows, and went into system properties and had 16GB. Fresh install worked.