Why is 4 gbs usable out of 8 gbs

[Kacey_S]

I recently upgraded my computer to 8 gbs and got Windows 7 64-bit so I could run more RAM. The control panel says that only 4gbs are usable. I know its 64-bit and I've gone into the BIOS but could find no memory remapping or whatever its called.

Intel core i7 860 @ 2.80
G.Skill Ripjaws 8 gb
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 mobo
1TB
2x Radeon HD 5770

 

[Kacey_S]

Well I let it run for a few hours and there has yet to be any error reports. I assume that means that the memory is fine? Do you want me to post a snapshot of it? I'm not at home tonight so I can tomorrow. I guess since everything basically works, I'll probably have to update the BIOS then because that seems to be the only thing that would cause this problem.

 

[RetiredChief]

Good on the - No errors.
Yes, update the bios.
Make sure you pick the right Model and Just follow Para 3.2.2 in manual (Asus EZ Flash 2 Utility).

Added: saw in another post that the Thumbdrive should be " FAT-32 formatted USB Flash Drive"

 

[Kacey_S]

So I just updated the BIOS through the ASUS Update Utility, exactly the way it told me to in para 3.2.3. Still no change. I went into the BIOS after the update and it still reads usable memory at 4096mb or whatever it is. In the task manager it reads as 4 available and 4 in hardware reserve, and in the control panel it reads at 8.00 gbs with only 4 usable. Very strange. The sticks work too I suppose. Should I try and put them in the black slots instead?

 

[contra04]

can you try one stick at a time ? how has no one suggested this yet....

memtest them individually with a memtest boot cd that you will need to burn

 

[Kacey_S]

Well good news, I swapped out the ram sticks into different slots and voila. The BIOS recognizes them. I start up and the control panel sees it as 8.00, the task manager sees it properly too. I suppose there was something going on with the BIOS version, because I had tried to swap out the sticks before the update and nothing worked, reseated them and so on. Now it works after the update, so I don't know what was different, but whatever it is it works. Thanks everyone for your help, it was great!

 

[contra04]

good news. good work. Quite often bios revisions add support for different memory modules from a variety of vendors. I also have 8gb ripjaws

 

[RetiredChief]

Great!
Did you also verify that it is running in dual channel mode (Most likely is).
Cpu-z memorry tab.
Take care and enjoy.