Why can I only use 3.47GB of my 8GB of RAM on my Windows 7 64-bit machine?
Have you done a bios flash recently? Start with that. Get your bios to the most current version.
Several tips to follow when adding ram, you should also trouble shoot the new RAM module by testing it in isolation (only have it connected)
- Install the RAM in order of size, largest first, review motherboard manual
- Ensure firm connection
- Pair up ram modules in their corresponding pair channel
- Update BIOS
- Ensure the modules are of the same type, and compatible
Sources:
- http://www.crucial.com/Support/troubleshooting_install.aspx
- http://www.kingston.com/support/systemmemory/install/installationinstructionsddr.asp
- http://lifehacker.com/138665/hack-attack-how-to-install-ram
On the bios I saw this as well as in the OS that all 8Gbs are recognized but not all of the memory is usable. I updated the bios and also flushed CMOS but it didn't do any good
Eventually I just started playing with the positioning on the chips, and every time I got a new and different result, until I got an order that somehow made all 4 of them work togeather.
Right now they are in a mix, meaning every new stick is paired with an old stick and not with his rightful match, and somehow
(By the way, all chips are Kingston 2GB and same Hz, just some old (and from china) and some new(and from Taiwan))