This is a bit of an unusual one. Windows 8.1 32bit (don't jump in there quite yet
) is only showing 2.10Gb available regardless of how I configure the RAM.
SPECSZ170XP-SLI
2x4GB Savage Black PC4-19200C12 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black HX424C12SBK2/8
Windows 8.1 32bit (as I said refrain from hitting reply at this stage)
IssueWindows will only show 2.10GB available in Control Panel System. This happens if:
Both sticks are installed
Only one stick is installed
Only the other stick is installed
Either stick is installed in either of the slots singularly
EvidenceWhen both sticks are installed Resource Monitor -> Memory shows 6GB as hardware reserved
When one stick is installed Resource Monitor -> Memory shows 2GB as hardware reserved
Testing1. The BIOS shows 8GB installed
2. CPU-Z reports 8 GBytes intsalled in Dual channel
(I appreciate both the above could just be reporting the SPD figures and not the true 'working RAM')
3. Windows Memory Test passes fine
4. MemTest86 passes fine
5. I ran an Ubuntu Live CD and that reports the full 8Gb as being available
6. F5 and F6 Beta bioses have been used
This is unusual because it is not possible to nail this down directly to the motherboard, RAM, or windows.
It could be that the RAM is not 100% compatible in that it will work, but it only make 2Gb available to Windows 32bit windows.
It could be that the motherboard is not 100% compatible with the RAM and that a BIOS update could fix it.
It could be that Windows 8.1 32bit is the villain here but I find nothing on Google with a similar issue for this board.
Why use 32bit? Use 64bit insteadBecause custom apps require a 32bit environment and because it is slightly faster than 64bit (for these custom apps).
Other Rigs are OKI have a Z87-HD3 with 2x 4Gb of DDR3 ram and this works perfectly with Windows 8.1 32bit. I can see the max available RAM (3.5Gb) that is available to Windows (if anyone is interested the other 4Gb is use as a Ramdrive).
Any ideas? It is perfectly usable with 2.1Gb but it would be nice to find out what's happening to the other 1.5Gb.