Hey Guys, to be honest I'm more just trying to confirm what I already believe to be the case. In gaming rig (in signature) I've got 4x2GB DDR3 ram sticks. Recently I have noticed this is showing as 8GB (3.99GB usable) in windows, and task manager shows this reduced amount. I'm running 64bit win 7. Additionally, If I reduce the number of sticks to 2 (from 4) it shows 4GB (1.99GB usable). And If I stick it in single-channel mode, it shows 2 sticks as 4GB usable. So, am I right in thinking the mobo has had it? Happens with both sets of sticks I've got, so I don't think it's the ram... Tried a bios update & reset to no avail. Cheers, James P.S. If mobo is faulty, I think I'll be looking to get a new mobo/cpu/ram combo - in which case, am I best waiting a few months for next gen CPU's to come out?
Is it showing as 8GB in the BIOS or still only 4? Could try a stick in each slot of the mobo to test the slots, 1 at a time.
Is showing as 8GB at post. Have tried each stick - each appears to be fault free. Tried reseating CPU to no avail too :-( mobo musta had it :-(
I had this problem. Turns out the cooler was pushing one of the dimms out of place. try and adjust that.
I notice that they're two different 2x2gb sets. Are you 100% that they're the same speed? Not sure if differences between them could cause this though.
I would bet my left tresticle on it. Also, even if I hadn't, it wouldn't explain why putting in 2x2GB sticks in dual channel shows as 1.99GB usable of 4GB. Not a HSF issue as its water cooled at the mo, so nothing leaning on ram. The DDR3 kits are both same speed timing, and again, as mentioned above, it doesn't explain why even with 2x2GB (i.e. 1 kit) it shows half memory. Also - its worked fine for months! Anyway, better to upgrade now or wait for next gen?? What are we currently awaiting from AMD/Intel? Cheers for suggestions everyone.
Along those lines I had some thing similar where the cooler had moved and wasn't seated properly. It was putting uneven pressure of the CPU. Just undoing the cooler and tightening it down properly worked.
Apparently there isn't a setting for this on P55 MSI boards :-( will search again for it but don't think i'll find it..
You don't have one, or at least I don't and I have the same board lol What are your voltages you're using for the overclock? I've got my QPI ration at 16, vcore at 1.363, CPU VTT @1.334, CPU PLL @1.87 and PCH 1.05 @ 1.69. Given you're using twice as many DIMMs as me, maybe up your voltages (VTT PLL and PCH) if they're below this. Or if they're above this, take them a bit higher (PLL and VTT mainly, I doubt PCH would affect this really). See if that helps Edit: Also, are the RAM sticks absolutely identical timings, not just the 8-8-8-24 bit?
Cheers, The overclock is currently disabled - running at stock! The ram have identical timings, I've tried them with slacker timings, or with the build in XMP profiles, but to no avail. Also, note that the problem (of showing only half ram) happens even if I have only 2x2GB (matched from the same pack) in there, when in dual channel mode. If running in single channel, I don't have this problem (although in single channel I can only use 2 of the 4 sticks, so same problem anyway, and slight impact on performance). I think the board/cpu must be a bit dodge tbh - system is otherwise stable. Remind me - ram controller in these - is it in the CPU or mobo? Also, what is the next lot of intel/amd chips? When are we expecting them? If longer than christmas, then what is my best bet for a CPU/Mobo upgrade at the moment - 2500K or something from AMD? Budget would be about £300-£400. Thanks
I can't help you in regards your issue. But the best bet is to wait seeing as Sandy Bridge E is coming. Which may or may not be the next choice is upgrade. Depends on performance and NDA's are lifted on Bit Tech and other websites/magazines etc. i5 2500k is a great chip. perfect performance and great overclock ability. Though it's all down to if you get a good chip when you buy it. Mine overclocks to 5ghz stable currently but I haven't done any serious testing. Mobo/CPU upgrade your looking at this: Not including an after market cooler cause your going to overclock right?
Memory controller is on the processor, the uncore area of the CPU I do believe. I suppose it could be this bit that doesn't like dual channel mode and might need more voltage but it's probably the board. CPUs very rarely go wrong. So if you're thinking about upgrading definitely stick with Intel, AMD has dropped the ball, kicked it into touch and landed face first in the dirt really with Bulldozer. I'd probably say get a 2500K and something like a MSI 067 GD53, then if you need to, you can drop in an Ivy Bridge CPU when they get released sometime next year.
