Ram issues with amd ryzen and b350 motherboard

[NightHawkRMX]

I have an issue with a computer that i recently built. it is having an issue where windows says that 8gb of ram is installed but only 4gb is usable. in my bios it shows a 4gb card in my 2 and 4 slot but only 4gb in total.My system specs are as follows:
msi b350 pc mate motherboard (latest bios)
Amd ryzen 3 1200 (was oc to 3.3ghz but now is stock 3.1)
G skill ripjaws 2x4gb 3200mhz ddr4 ram.
Nvidia geforce gtx 1050 2gb edition.
HP s700 sata ssd
NZXT full atx case
corsair cx550m 550watt psu
Windows 10 home 64bit
Something seems to be broken with the duel channel ram part of the mother board as a reddit post located at: https://www.reddit.com/r/ryzen/comments/65txrh/ryzen_7_new_build_all_of_my_ram_is_detected_but/
makes me assume. Each stick of ram works when tested individually and is found to be functioning properly when tested with both mem test 86 and the build in windows 10 utility. i have the ram in the reccomended dimm slots 2 and 4 but it doesnt register all 8gb as usable when in other slots either. i have checked that my ram is seated properly and clicked into place. i have contacted msi for a replacement mothorboard and i have an approved rma for a replacement. i do not want to spend money for shipping of the board and would like to know if there is any other suggestions. the reddit user had been using a Ryzen 7 1700X (using the same am4 socket as my ryzen 3)MSI X370 SLI Plus and 16GB of G.Skill DDR4-2400 "Ryzen Compatible" RAM. they had their problem solved when they replaced the board with a MSI X370 GAMING PRO CARBON, and suddenly the RAM reported correctly.i do not have the funding to spend any more money on a motherboard. the b350 pc mate i have i bought for ~$80 and if i can get my money back somehow i could spend that on a different board. This is unlikely though. i have tried changing ram settings including down clocking the ram one setting at a time. i got is down to 2166mhz and still no luck.Should i go through with the motherboard replacement or do you have any other suggestions? I am unable to keep messing around with more rmas so i gladdly appriciate your help and time

 

[James Mason]

RMA the Ram: https://www.gskill.com/en/rma

Cheap mobos don't work great with fast ram.

 

[Lutfij]

I would suggest that you re-flash the BIOS for your motherboard. With all due respect, the PC mate was never the board to pick up unless you actually had the funds to go back and forth with more down time. We actually figured out soon enough that investing in a good middle ground board nets you the best sort of quality and reliability. Buy something too cheap and you end up having to spend the same if you were to buy a higher end board(due to all the resources wasted).

I could ask you to return the board, add some more dough and then settle for a better built board...?

 

[jmrnilsson]

Make sure to test one ram stick at the time, to rule out a dead stick. Also always run at reference speed (2133 or 2400 MHz).

Reading RAM information from BIOS can be quite confusing. I’ve misunderstood how both dual channel speed and total memory installed many times.

If windows shows 8 GB total and 4 usable this would make sense since windows already will allocate a few GB while idling.

 

[James Mason]

Also... maybe reinstall Windows?
Sometimes it's windows that has the problem, and not the motherboard or ram persay.

 

[Lutfij]

^ Possible!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I have reflashed the bios to the latest version and have turned down the ram clock. i have tested each stick individually and they both appear to be in working order. i dont think windows would use 4gb while idleing but even if that was the case i dont think my bios would show only 4gb in total. If i were to replace my board with an upgraded model what do you suggest? i could only spend an extra $20-30 on top of the 80$ already spent. i maybe able to squeeze a little more extra money out if needed. i do not need anything fancy likr rgbs, special colors or debug screens (although they could come in handy)

 

[NightHawkRMX]

i have also reinstalled windows and cleared cmos aswell.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Ok so I made a deal with newegg to get $90 in account credit towards a new motherboard and am looking into a better board. Ironically the board I got's price is reduced to $60, they must know it's no good. I have up to 120 usd in total to spend on a new board. I am thinking about the msi b350 tomahawk but what would reccomend. My case has the ability to have standoffs moved in order to fit atx and m-atx. The guy at msi reccomended a x370 gaming plus but the reviews seem just ok. I am looking into gigabyte options as well as other options

 

[NightHawkRMX]

what do yall think about the msi b350 gaming plus?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Update: the problem was fixed by buying a better motherboard. I bought a msi b350 gaming plus. The old b350 pc mate may have in theory worked with this ram and that particular one may have just been defective. If you face a similar issue just get a replacement motherboard or an upgraded one. I like the bios on this msi board and would recommend it. You can overclock both your cpu and ram in 2 clicks of your mouse.