Reserved Memory - Tried Everything

[Username0001]

Hey everyone,
I installed a new Noctua NH-D14 cooler the other day, and now Windows is saying that 4.0 GB of my 8.0 GB RAM is reserved. I've tried everything:
-Updating BIOS
-Using the MSCONFIG to change the RAM limit
-Uninstalling the Noctua and re-installing the stock cooler
-Taking out the ram sticks and putting them in different slots
-Using only 1 ram stick (they both work, saying 4.0 GB with no reserve)
-Checking BIOS for anything that could be disabling one stick
-Checking the CPU for broken pins (nothing that I can tell)

I am running Windows 8.1 64x, and have a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Motherboard with a GTX 770 GPU and an AMD FX8350 CPU.

At this point, I'm more or less trying to figure out which piece of hardware needs to be replaced (thinking motherboard). I've been able to run Battlefield 4 and other games like that in the past. I can still run games like DotA 2, but with GTA V coming out I'd really like to fix this problem >.<

All help is appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[i7Baby]

Is the cooler hitting your ram? If not, then the cooler shouldn't make any difference.

Any more clues from Task Manager, Performance or Resource Monitor?

There's usually 1.2gb system reserve and some for pagefile - that you can change. But maybe you've also made a ramdisk or cache for your hard drive.

 

[Username0001]

I was considering re-installing Windows.. do you think that would help?

 

[i7Baby]

You can try a System Restore - simpler.

 

[Tradesman1]

Try loosening the cooler then snug it back down, if it's to tight in a corner or side it can throw the MC (memory controller) off from not having full contact on all pins, the MC can see but not use the DRAM

 

[Username0001]

Just a thought.. could the CPU be damaged but still have all its pins intact?

 

[i7Baby]

Almost certainly NOT

 

[Username0001]

I'm going to try getting a new motherboard as a last resort. Not really sure what went wrong but nothing I'm doing is working.

 

[Username0001]

Convinced it's not the CPU or RAM but I guess we'll find out...

 

[i7Baby]

Did you try the System Restore?

or per Tradesman?

 

[Username0001]

Tried both methods, still having this issue. I just don't know what to do.

 

[i7Baby]

Provide more info:

Any more clues from Task Manager, Performance or Resource Monitor?

There's usually 1.2gb system reserve and some for pagefile - that you can change. But maybe you've also made a ramdisk or cache for your hard drive.

 

[Username0001]

Hey, just wanted to update - Tradesman's solution worked. It's now saying 7.2/8.0 GB (that still seems like a high reserved number, but I'm satisfied). Thanks everyone!

 

[Tradesman1]

Depending on your GPU and other hardware, that could be reasonable