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Installed RAM and Usable RAM aren't the same

Anonymous
2020-11-06T02:01:04+00:00

I have 16GB of RAM installed in my computer. It shows 2x8GB in the BIOS, and when I select "properties" from This PC, I see 16.0GB under Installed memory. However, it says that only 7.93GB is usable. I have tried going into msconfig -> boot -> advanced options -> unchecking the Maximum memory box. I have also tried setting a number with the max memory box checked. What else can I do?

I am using Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19041 Build 19041, an ASRock X370 Killer SLI/ac motherboard, an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 CPU, and 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-11-06T02:15:27+00:00

    Hi Bravo. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor here to help until this is resolved.

    That setting in msconfig is not going to help and could make Windows stop booting, so I'd set it back to where it was and not mess with it.

    Type Resource in Search box, open the Resource Monitor and choose the Memory tab to see how the RAM is apportioned. In rare cases this can be due to hardware like a graphics card using a significant amount of the RAM. This can usually be adjusted in the BIOS: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/change-memory-a...

    It can also mean that one or more sticks of your RAM or RAM slots are not being read. Test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:

    https://www.wikihow.com/Test-PC-RAM-with-MemTest86

    Run Crucial System Scanner to check the RAM is properly spec'd and configured, what upgrade options exist for first quality RAM: https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner?cm...

    You can also remove the RAM sticks to examine the slots under a bright light to make sure there is no dust or other debris in them, blow it out with canned air, reseat RAM firmly. Swapping sticks can also help and might help determine which one is bad, or if it's a stick that tests good, that it might be the slot.

    I hope this helps. Based on the results you report back I may have other suggestions if necessary. If you will wait to choose whether the problem is resolved, then I will continue to help until the problem is fixed.

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