8GB of Memory Installed, OS and BIOS only Recognizes 4GB. Help!!

Discussion in 'CPU, Motherboards and Memory' started by Kent Graves, Oct 10, 2011.

  1. Kent Graves

    Kent Graves Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Ok so a little background info. I am using a MSI X58 Platinum 1366 Socket MS-7522 MoBo. I have an Intel i7 920 Processor. 8 GB of 1600Mhz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory.

    I recently upgraded my computers Memory, installed a new power supply, and installed a new liquid cooled CPU cooler by Corsair and moved all my components into a bigger and better Chassis. Before I did this upgrade I had 6GB of 1600Mhz DDR3 Triple Channel memory. And my Bios and Computer Recognized all 6GB of it.

    After my upgrade and reinstallation of Windows my computer only recognizes 4GB of the 8GB I have seated. Now this is what I have done so far in order to fix it.

    Reseated the RAM 5 Times.
    Reinstalled the previous 6 GB of RAM (Still only 4GB was detected by the BIOS)
    Checked my Resource Monitor and There is only 4GB total, none is reserved.
    Attempted to update BIOS (No updates available)
    Searched for "Memory Remapping" option in BIOS but could not find one
    Removed all DIMM slots and Removed CPU and reseated the CPU
    Checked Advanced Boot Features in MSCONFIG and no options were checked

    I hit a wall, and can't find anything else on the internet that can help me figure this out. Can anyone help me out? I would greatly appreciate it.
     
    Kent Graves, Oct 10, 2011
    #1
  2. Kent Graves

    Kent Graves Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Problem Solved. I determined through trial and error that DIMM 3 is shot on my MoBo. Put sticks in 1 and 5 instead of 1 and 3 and it recognizes all 8GB now.

    But my question is this. My Motherboard guide says that for Dual Channel Configuration I have to put the Sticks in DIMM 1 & 3 and for triple channel I have to use 1, 3, and 5. Will setting up dual channel configuration in 1 and 5 hurt anything? Do I have any disadvantage doing it this way?
     
    Kent Graves, Oct 10, 2011
    #2
  3. Wildcard

    Wildcard Big Geek

    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Hi,

    You should be able to put the Ram in any combination of slots and it will not hurt anything. However, if your motherboard says dual channel needs to be in 1&3 and you put them in 1&5, you will not be running dual channel. When you run RAM in dual channel, it gives you a small boost in the performance of the RAM. The computer will still show 8gbs of ram, but it will run a little bit faster in dual channel mode. If you do not run in dual channel mode, the ram will just run at its normal performance level, and will not harm anything.
     
    Wildcard, Oct 11, 2011
    #3

Share This Page