RAM Dilema

[Max.]

Well ive had my computer for about a year now, i built it myself and just recently have noticed one of my sticks of ram is not showing up as active, both my BIOS and Windows have said 4gb of ram(2gb Available)

Ive tried re-seeding both sticks multiple times, ive tried updating the BIOS, ive tried changing the BIOS settings, but i cannot figure out why one of my ram sticks is not being used

Also my task manager also only reads 2gb


Computer specs:
2 x Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 460's
Intel i5 760 Quad Core 2.8Ghz
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P
2 x 2GB DDR3 Corsair Dominators
150gb Samsung HD160
1TB Western Digital Caviar Black
2TB Western Digital Caviar Green (new)
700w OCZ PSU

Note:  I am Running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

[9r2e5i3k]

Tried plugging in one stick at a time and checking if it works alone?

[Max.]

both sticks work in port one on their own, but when they are together in ports 1 and 3,(which is what it tells me to do) it comes up "4gb (1.99gb usable)"

[Dolfagr]

Are both sticks exactly the same model?

[Max.]

yes

[Julio.]

I know this sounds daft a bit, but is your integrated Graphics Card on the Mobo still active?

Integrated Graphic Chipsets 'Steal' The RAM for it's own purposes, that could be what's happening here.

[Kessu]

I know this sounds daft a bit, but is your integrated Graphics Card on the Mobo still active?

Integrated Graphic Chipsets 'Steal' The RAM for it's own purposes, that could be what's happening here.

They only take it when needed so this is false information.

If both of your sticks work in port 1, try putting it to only port 3. If it doesn't work, you know your motherboard is broken.

[Max.]

it wont allow sticks to work in port 3 without a stick in port 1

it has to go in this order
Port 1
Port 3
Port 2
Port 4

[Max.]

Update on the problem, ive just bought new ram, 4x 4GB sticks of DDR3 1600

and both ports 3 and 4 are not working, so instead of having 16gb i only have 8gb, ive been reading that there is a way to get the other ports enabled, its not a faulty motherboard and it does this by default to DDR3 1600 sticks, and that at the moment the other 8gb is stored as "System Reserve".

Does anyone know how i can stop it being used as "System Reserve" and enable it to be used normally?


Update:

Ive Tried Clearing the CMOS, ive tried all ram sticks in diff slots, ive tried changing the Mhz, ive tried changing the voltage, ive tried updating the BIOS, ive tried re-seeding the ram, ive also now read that the p55 chipset doesnt like more than 1 stick of 1600mhz ram per channel, since they are dual channel, thats 1 enabled in each Channel

[Todor]

Your mobo doesn't support more than 8gig? Besides what would you use 16 for, like ever?  :razz:

[Max.]

my mobo supports more than 8gb, it just doesn't like 1600mhz RAM, it only allows 1 stick per channel, since it has 2 channels of 2 ports, i can have 2 sticks in there, AKA 8gb worth, and i could get another 8gb of 1333Mhz Ram in the other ports (if i can be bothered to buy that)

[Todor]

Pointless IMHO unless you render movies 

[9r2e5i3k]

my mobo supports more than 8gb, it just doesn't like 1600mhz RAM, it only allows 1 stick per channel, since it has 2 channels of 2 ports, i can have 2 sticks in there, AKA 8gb worth, and i could get another 8gb of 1333Mhz Ram in the other ports (if i can be bothered to buy that)

Then why buy memory that's incompatible with your motherboard?

[Max.]

Then why buy memory that's incompatible with your motherboard?

because it never tells you it is, but if you do some reading 1600mhz Ram isnt compatible with the P55 Chipsets, whereas Intel and all the motherboard companies wont tell you this, infact Gigabyte still refuses to believe its not compatible, even after some people have had 4 replacement motherboards before giving up.

[Max.]

I just now replaced my motherboard and CPU (as the old CPU was not compatible with my new motherboard)

I now have ASRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3
and i5 2500K 3.3ghz CPU

and the motherboard has no issues with the ram at all, and registers all 16gb as active and working.


so therefore, Problem solved, even if it did cost me $500 to fix