RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs

Introplosion · 10-06-2009, 07:14 PM

I have run memtest on all 3 sticks, 2 of which pass fine and the other fails to even boot up the computer. This is my first build so I'm not sure what I could/should do about fixing it.

I'd like to jump to conclusions and say the stick is dead but when I use all 3 sticks it shows I have 6144 mb of memory, and only 3.99 is usable. So there has to be something going on for it to be recognized.

I bought and built this computer about a month ago, so I can't RMA it back to newegg. I have however started tech support/RMA with OCZ.

Specs: Intel i7 920 at stock speeds
EVGA x58 SLI Micro
Corsair 750 PSU
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
Win 7 RC

Please help, this computer has given me nothing but troubles.

Phædrus2401 · 10-06-2009, 07:15 PM

RMA with OCZ is the right thing to do, sounds like a faulty stick. They should replace it under warranty.

Introplosion · 10-06-2009, 07:17 PM

That was quick. That's what I was thinking. Thank you.

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-07-2009, 07:57 AM

Is your operating system 64bit or 32bit? If it is 32bit you are wasting your money with anything more than 4GB (less with graphics cards etc).

Also make sure you have the latest bios: ftp://ftp.evga.com/bios/E758SZ2S.bin

Also make sure you clear the CMOS before putting the 3rd channel in.

Phædrus2401 · 10-07-2009, 08:08 AM

32-bit will only show up to 3.5GB, usually 3.25 with XP. If the computer fails to boot with a single stick in the primary channel slot, but does boot when the other two sticks are tested the same way, then it's probably defective RAM.

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-07-2009, 08:19 AM

32bit can address 4GB minus whatever else is addressable (e.g. graphics cards etc). It has nothing to do with XP. So with an onboard GPU with say 128Mb memory, one could see close to 3.9GB. I am wondering how he was able to see the full 6GB without it booting? This is a common problem with tri-channel boards.

**Tyree** · 10-07-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreoHeaveho

I am wondering how he was able to see the full 6GB without it booting? This is a common problem with tri-channel boards.

The PC will boot with two of the sticks. It fails to boot with the one suspected faulty stick.

Introplosion · 10-08-2009, 12:11 AM

would resetting the CMOS do anything?

**wrench97** · 10-08-2009, 01:17 AM

No not for a bad ram stick.

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-09-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Introplosion

... but when I use all 3 sticks it shows I have 6144 mb of memory, and only 3.99 is usable. So there has to be something going on for it to be recognized.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreoHeaveho

... I am wondering how he was able to see the full 6GB without it booting? This is a common problem with tri-channel boards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyree

The PC will boot with two of the sticks. It fails to boot with the one suspected faulty stick.

This is the bit that confused me.

OP, what OS do you have? 32bit or 64bit??????

Introplosion · 10-10-2009, 01:42 AM

Im using win 7 64 bit. 2 of the sticks work, 1 doesnt, so I'm RMAing with OCZ.

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-13-2009, 06:04 AM

Good luck, i did some research, seems its a pretty common issue!

**Tyree** · 10-13-2009, 07:49 AM

Not uncommon at all with DDR3. There were a lot of bad chips shipped to the RAM retailers.

10-06-2009, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Introplosion Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 31 OS: Windows 7	RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs I have run memtest on all 3 sticks, 2 of which pass fine and the other fails to even boot up the computer. This is my first build so I'm not sure what I could/should do about fixing it. I'd like to jump to conclusions and say the stick is dead but when I use all 3 sticks it shows I have 6144 mb of memory, and only 3.99 is usable. So there has to be something going on for it to be recognized. I bought and built this computer about a month ago, so I can't RMA it back to newegg. I have however started tech support/RMA with OCZ. Specs: Intel i7 920 at stock speeds EVGA x58 SLI Micro Corsair 750 PSU OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365 Win 7 RC Please help, this computer has given me nothing but troubles.

10-06-2009, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,834 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs RMA with OCZ is the right thing to do, sounds like a faulty stick. They should replace it under warranty. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-06-2009, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Introplosion Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 31 OS: Windows 7	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs That was quick. That's what I was thinking. Thank you.

10-07-2009, 07:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs Is your operating system 64bit or 32bit? If it is 32bit you are wasting your money with anything more than 4GB (less with graphics cards etc). Also make sure you have the latest bios: ftp://ftp.evga.com/bios/E758SZ2S.bin Also make sure you clear the CMOS before putting the 3rd channel in. __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper Last edited by FreoHeaveho; 10-07-2009 at 08:03 AM.

10-07-2009, 08:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,834 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs 32-bit will only show up to 3.5GB, usually 3.25 with XP. If the computer fails to boot with a single stick in the primary channel slot, but does boot when the other two sticks are tested the same way, then it's probably defective RAM. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-07-2009, 08:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs 32bit can address 4GB minus whatever else is addressable (e.g. graphics cards etc). It has nothing to do with XP. So with an onboard GPU with say 128Mb memory, one could see close to 3.9GB. I am wondering how he was able to see the full 6GB without it booting? This is a common problem with tri-channel boards. __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper Last edited by FreoHeaveho; 10-07-2009 at 08:21 AM.

10-08-2009, 12:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Introplosion Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 31 OS: Windows 7	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs would resetting the CMOS do anything?

10-08-2009, 01:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,661 OS: Win7	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs No not for a bad ram stick. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-10-2009, 01:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
Introplosion Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 31 OS: Windows 7	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs Im using win 7 64 bit. 2 of the sticks work, 1 doesnt, so I'm RMAing with OCZ.

10-13-2009, 06:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs Good luck, i did some research, seems its a pretty common issue! __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

10-13-2009, 07:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,696 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: RAM only shows 3.99 out of 6 gigs Not uncommon at all with DDR3. There were a lot of bad chips shipped to the RAM retailers. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.