Windows can't use all RAM

[HarrisDougie]

I've just build a brand new system with 8GB ram and its all working fine so far apart from one thing when I went into computer properties it said RAM:8GB (Only 3.96 usable).
What is this and how can I fix it? Could it be dodgy stick of ram?

The Parts:
Windows 7 Home Premium
ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0
AMD FX 6300 Black Edition
EVGA GTX 760
etc

 

[jwk3]

what version of Windows is it? if you have the 32 bit installed Windows will only be able to use 4GB of it due to the coding. if you need more than 4GB (like you have 8GB in your computer) you need to have the 64 bit version installed.

 

[HarrisDougie]

what version of Windows is it? if you have the 32 bit installed Windows will only be able to use 4GB of it due to the coding. if you need more than 4GB (like you have 8GB in your computer) you need to have the 64 bit version installed.

Its definitatly 64bit

 

[4Ryan6]

I've just build a brand new system with 8GB ram and its all working fine so far apart from one thing when I went into computer properties it said RAM:8GB (Only 3.96 usable).
What is this and how can I fix it? Could it be dodgy stick of ram?

The Parts:
Windows 7 Home Premium
ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0
AMD FX 6300 Black Edition
EVGA GTX 760
etc

what version of Windows is it? if you have the 32 bit installed Windows will only be able to use 4GB of it due to the coding. if you need more than 4GB (like you have 8GB in your computer) you need to have the 64 bit version installed.

Its definitatly 64bit

Then test the memory sticks individually with Memtest, you can Google a download for Memtest if you don't have it.