RAM on ASUS MOBO

[ralph124c41]

I have a home build running Windows 10 PRO.
ASUS MOBO-P5G41T-M LX3
Windows 10 Pro-32bit - X64 based Processor
CPU: Intel Pentium D 3.00GHZ
Dual Core
L1 Cache: 32Kb
L2 Cache: 4Mb
L3 Cache: 0

RAM: 8GB installed, 3.47GB useable
FAST 8GB PNY Optima 2x 4GB Kits 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 PC3 10666 Memory
As indicated, only 3.47 GB of RAM is useable. Why is that and what can I do to increase it?

 

[Kavinqt]

Sounds like either one ram slot is faulty or isn't seated correctly, Open up your PC and re-seat the RAM as best as you can, Remember it does take force. Sometimes those bitches take a RAMming.

 

[ralph124c41]

Thanks, Kavinqt,
When I check the system, it shows 8Gb installed, so I don't understand how a stick could be not fully seated, never the less, I will pull both sticks and swap them.

OK, I shut down the computer, pulled both 4GB memory sticks, swapped them and reinstalled. They ARE seated.
System check says 8GB RAM installed, 3.47 Available.
Please advise.

 

[crisorlandobr]

You are using x86 (32 bits) windows which only handles up to 4GB RAM
If you want to use all your RAM you need to install Windows X64 (64 bits)

 

[Paul NZ]

32 bit only supports 3.25 - 3.5 GB

 

[ralph124c41]

You are using x86 (32 bits) windows which only handles up to 4GB RAM
If you want to use all your RAM you need to install Windows X64 (64 bits)

32 bit only supports 3.25 - 3.5 GB

 

[ralph124c41]

Paul, Thanks for the info.
That being said, how to I upgrade to X86 windows?

 

[Paul NZ]

And if you install 64 bit, you'll have to do a clean install. You cant upgrade from 32 to 64 bit

 

[ralph124c41]

You are using x86 (32 bits) windows which only handles up to 4GB RAM
If you want to use all your RAM you need to install Windows X64 (64 bits)

I checked my CPU and it says it is 64 bit capable, so I used the Microsoft media creation tool to make a USB to change to 64 bit. Here are my questions:
Do I wipe my HD of windows 10 32 bit, or just plug in the usb and reboot?
Will I gain anything by running 64 bit? I'm running 8GB ram, of which about half is useable.
where do I get 64 bit drivers?

Many thanks for all the information!

 

[Paul NZ]

The first thing you should do is find out if there are x64 drivers for whatever you have. Because you cant use 32 bit drivers

You boot from the flash drive / dvd with x64 on it delete all partitions then reinstall x64 windows

64 bit will see / use more than 4 GB 32 bit wont