RAM Lower After GPU Install

[MJacobsen]

Hello everyone, I recently installed an NVIDIA GTX 760 (2GB) GPU. The computer starts and works (semi) correctly. After installing the card I noticed a bit of stuttering and sluggishness with game load times and just general opening and closing of programs. After checking my task manager i found that my physical memory was at 70%. I have never had that problem before installing the new GPU (the most I ever hit was around 55%). Knowing this, I checked my system RAM detection and found that only 6GB of ram is in use. Previously I had about 10 or 9 GB in use(I don't remember the exact number).

I was wondering if there was a way to assess this situation? Do you think I need to buy more RAM? Has the GPU overtaken 3GB of my previous RAM?

System Specs:
Nvidia GTX 760
Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67GHz
Motherboard: Pegatron Corporation Model: Truckee (This was the stock motherboard, however the computer, when first bought was fairly expensive so I assume its a good motherboard)
PSU: Stock 485W

I would greatly appreciate a reply!

 

[Metalauxilia]

Just an unrelated suggestion I know your PSU is close to the minimum 500w requirement for the 760, but I would suggest you upgrade to a larger PSU such as a Corsair cx750. I doubt it will fix the missing ram issue but it will be putting less stress on your system.

 

[MJacobsen]

I agree that I should I get a new PSU. I currently have a Rosewell 650W PSU sitting in my room. I tried to install it but it was a no go, my computer would just turn on for about 5 or 10 seconds then shut off and repeat for like 3 times. Not sure what the problem was there, maybe dead on arrival? I'll be figuring that out later, but I did want to solve the RAM problem beforehand.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Metalauxilia]

I agree that I should I get a new PSU. I currently have a Rosewell 650W PSU sitting in my room. I tried to install it but it was a no go, my computer would just turn on for about 5 or 10 seconds then shut off and repeat for like 3 times. Not sure what the problem was there, maybe dead on arrival? I'll be figuring that out later, but I did want to solve the RAM problem beforehand.

Thank you for your reply!

I would right click your desktop select screen resolution thenn click advanced settings to see how much of your system ram is shared.

 

[MJacobsen]

I did as you suggested, this was the result:

Total Available Graphics Memory: 4096 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 2048 MB
System Video Memory: 0 MB
Shared System Memory: 2048 MB

Do you see anything out of the ordinary with these results?

Thank you again for your replies!

 

[Metalauxilia]

You got the exact same results as my card I have right now. I plan on getting the GTX 760 so we will practically have the same setup, but I will be running it all off of a 750w PSU. So I couldn't say anything for sure right now, but it might be a possibility that stressing that 485W PSU could be causing a loss in performance and could possibly damage your hardware in the long run. That is really the only issue I see that really jumps out at me. What card did you have in the system before?

 

[jb6684]

These CPU are triple channel RAM so you have (assuming Only 3 of the possible 6 DIMMS installed):
- 3, 6, OR 12 Gb of RAM (goto Control Panel --> System n read "Install System (RAM)"

I've found BOTH systems are Very sensitive to memory voltage. Your power supply is Marginal at best, installing the new GPU could have lowered the voltage output just a tiny bit (like a couple hundredth's of a volt) and is causing of of your RAM DIMMs to no longer be recognized by the system.

I've personally found 1.6 volts (the RAM spec) simply will not work. I need to set 1.64 to 1.66 to get all DIMMs recognized.

 

[smeezekitty]

What OS? 64 bit?

 

[MJacobsen]

Before this I had an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260. When I compared the two, it actually stated that the 260 used more power than the 760. The comparison was done here: http://www.hwcompare.com/14890/geforce-gtx-260-vs-geforce-gtx-760/

The GTX 760 seems to be a very good card, I'm sure you'll be happy with it! I haven't put it through the ringer yet (because i''m afraid to damage it) but after I solve the PSU problem I will.

Also, upon further speculation, I noticed that the GTX 260 I previously had was the 4GB version. Do you think that this could be the problem? I currently have the 2GB version of the GTX 760. Do you think it really makes that much of a difference? or should I just spring for more RAM? <-------- Upon further testing the system registers 4GB of RAM for this video card as well. Maybe the testing method was faulty, I'm not sure. Either way, this paragraph doesn't have much meaning after doing another test. It shows the exact same specs (expect the new GPU is recognized and i'm missing 3GB of RAM)

EDIT: @Jb6684 This is very true and could very well be the problem. As i've stated I have a new PSU ready to be installed, but the last time i tried installing it the system would not start correctly. I'm not sure where exactly you would like me to go in the control panel. Looking at the system RAM tells me that I have 6GB of RAM installed (although I'm not sure if this is where you wanted me to go)

EDIT: Yes I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

 

[Metalauxilia]

Did you uninstall all of the previous drivers for the old card?

 

[MJacobsen]

Come to think of it...I have not. How would one go about doing such a thing? In the device manager?

 

[Metalauxilia]

Try uninstalling them through control panel maybe even uninstall the drivers for the 760 and re-install the 760 drivers after rebooting. I have had issues with previous drivers still on the system in the past.

 

[MJacobsen]

I will attempt to do so when i re-assemble my computer. I'm currently trying to solve the PSU problem. I may just give up and take it to a shop. But my pride just won't let me. Not yet haha.

 

[Metalauxilia]

If it beeps during post be sure to keep track of how many so you can look up what beep code it is.

 

[MJacobsen]

No beeps at all. Just turns on, power light stays on and fans run, then abruptly turns off. I think i'll be taking the PSU to a shop and ask if they could test to see if its defective. Or i'll just buy a 10$ PSU tester, depending on how much they want to charge me for such a simple task. The computer is back up and running with the old PSU.

Back on topic though. I looked through the system settings, when you start the computer up I hit F2 to see the settings. It looks like 2 of the 6 RAM cards I have are listed as "Not installed" This could very well be derived from the lack of power, but i'm not certain. But those two RAM cards do equal 3GB of RAM, so that explains that (for now).

 

[Metalauxilia]

Might be DOA then I'd say try to get it tested to find out for sure. Hopefully you will be able get a replacement if it is. You could try to see if the shop that tests the PSU for you could ask if they would have a loaner PSU to use to test your system to see if that clears up the missing memory issue. I mean its worth a shot right? 😛

 

[MJacobsen]

So a little update on the RAM situation. Last night I chose to uninstall my new graphics card and put the old one in for the time being. After that installation my computer only read that I had 3GB of RAM. Becoming quite frustrated with that calculation (because i actually have 9GB of RAM) I decided to once again rip open the computer. I reseated the RAM and switched around their positions within the RAM slots. Upon rebooting my computer it read that I had 7GB of RAM. Still not optimal but MUCH better than 3GB. Should I continue to reseat the RAM until it notices all 9GB or just settle on 7GB?

 

[Metalauxilia]

Did you also try removing your CMOS battery on your Motherboard for a minute or two to reset it then put it back in. I know that sometimes is a quick fix for some issues.

 

[MJacobsen]

Hmmm, I did not. I'll give that a try tomorrow or tonight. Thank you for your continued responses!

EDIT: I attempted taking the battery out and putting it back in. There were no changes in the amount of detected RAM. However, I feel as though I'm getting very close to figuring out how to fix the PSU problem so maybe they will coincide.

EDIT #2: So after attempting to get my new PSU to work by updating my motherboard BIOS I actually got my system to recognize all 9GB of my RAM. I was thrilled to find that all my RAM is now accounted for. So for anyone else experiencing this problem I would suggest to Install the latest version of your motherboard BIOS then restart your computer and shut it down once more. After that reseat all the PSU connection in your computer. That is what solved the problem for me.

I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me solve this problem. And to Metalauxilia, I wish you the best of luck with your new GPU, I hope you enjoy it! Lastly, Happy New Year everyone!