RAM 50% Hardware Reserved

Chrisf98 · June 22, 2015

PC Specs:

------------------System Information------------------      Time of this report: 6/22/2015, 17:55:26             Machine name: CHRIS         Operating System: Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit (10.0, Build 10130) (10130.fbl_impressive.150522-2224)                 Language: English (Regional Setting: English)      System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.             System Model: To be filled by O.E.M.                     BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/05/13 14:37:39 Ver: 04.06.05                Processor: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor            (8 CPUs), ~4.2GHz                   Memory: 16384MB RAM      Available OS Memory: 8152MB RAM                Page File: 10478MB used, 1980MB available              Windows Dir: C:\Windows          DirectX Version: DirectX 12      DX Setup Parameters: Not found         User DPI Setting: Using System DPI       System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)          DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled                 Miracast: Not AvailableMicrosoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported           DxDiag Version: 10.00.10130.0000 64bit Unicode

I installed 8GB of RAM a few years ago (generic Kingston value RAM) and it's been working great up until half a year ago, it changed from 8GB (4x2GB) of usable RAM to 4GB of usable RAM because the other 4GB was Hardware Reserved. I assumed it was a couple of bad RAM sticks so I went and bought some 16GB (2x8GB) G.Skill Trident RAM and it's only using 8GB of it while 8GB of it is Hardware Reserved. I'm not sure what the problem is, I've cleaned my RAM slots, cleaned and re-seated the CPU, restored my PC, upgraded to Windows 10 recently, changed the RAM slots and done everything I could think of to try and get it to recognize all 16GB of RAM but it will only stay at half of it being usable and what really confuses me is that it halfs any of the RAM I put it in (4 sticks, or 2 sticks). Thanks for any help possible.

Sorry if any of these is out of focus or a bit on the rambling side, I can't focus too well right now for whatever reason.

Samfisher · June 22, 2015

I installed 8GB of RAM a few years ago (generic Kingston value RAM) and it's been working great up until half a year ago, it changed from 8GB (4x2GB) of usable RAM to 4GB of usable RAM because the other 4GB was Hardware Reserved. I assumed it was a couple of bad RAM sticks so I went and bought some 16GB (2x8GB) G.Skill Trident RAM and it's only using 8GB of it while 8GB of it is Hardware Reserved. I'm not sure what the problem is, I've cleaned my RAM slots, cleaned and re-seated the CPU, restored my PC, upgraded to Windows 10 recently, changed the RAM slots and done everything I could think of to try and get it to recognize all 16GB of RAM but it will only stay at half of it being usable and what really confuses me is that it halfs any of the RAM I put it in (4 sticks, or 2 sticks). Thanks for any help possible.

Sorry if any of these is out of focus or a bit on the rambling side, I can't focus too well right now for whatever reason.

Did you mess with the BIOS? It seems you've set a very high buffer/VRAM for your iGPU.

yippy3000 · June 22, 2015

Check your BIOS settings. Hardware Reserved is usually RAM used by the integrated GPU on the Motherboard.

Prysin · June 22, 2015

FX cpus are known to have weak memory controllers. try increase the voltage of the northbridge a little, and reduce the speed of the RAM to something like 1333 or 1600 MHz

Prysin · June 22, 2015

Did you mess with the BIOS? It seems you've set a very high buffer/VRAM for your iGPU.

there is no iGPU on a FX processor. FX is pure CPU.

Check your BIOS settings. Hardware Reserved is usually RAM used by the integrated GPU on the Motherboard.

Most modern AMD chipsets do not feature a onboard iGPU on the motherboards. His motherboard must be ancient for that to be present, especially with the AM3+ socket used by the FX 8350

Tedster · June 22, 2015

FX cpus are known to have weak memory controllers. try increase the voltage of the northbridge a little, and reduce the speed of the RAM to something like 1333 or 1600 MHz

I was fine with 4x4GB on my FX-6100 on a far worse motherboard.

But yes, this is a good explanation...

Plus my M5A78L-M/USB3 had integrated ATI HD 3000 graphics, fun times trying to game on that after my 650Ti died.

Chrisf98 · June 22, 2015

Thank you all so much! I'll mess with the BIOS settings and get back with you.

Chrisf98 · June 22, 2015

I raised the NB Voltage from 2200MHz to 2400MHz and lowered the RAM from 1600 down to 1333 but 8GB is still being hardware reserved. I took a few pictures of the BIOS if that would help anyone.

http://imgur.com/a/iwv3g