How to upgrade RAM?

[WizErd]

My rig has 2 x 4GB of RAM. 4.1 GB is "Hardware reserved". I believe that that is reserved and actually needed for some hardware, but I'm not sure. 

My questions are: Should I get more RAM or can I fix this problem? If I should get more ram should I get two more sticks of the same and fill all the slots or get 2 x 8GB of something different.

Running 64 bit Windows 10

Here's my full rig:

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/2k7FTH
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/2k7FTH/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor  
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler 
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card 
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case 
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM 64-bit  
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 24.0" 144Hz Monitor  
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Plus Wired Gaming Keyboard   
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse  
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-16 12:14 EDT-0400

Thanks for any help you can give me!

-WizErd

Edited June 16, 2016 by WizErd
Added OS.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Are you running 32 bit windows?

[WizErd]

No, I'm running 64 bit Windows 10. I edited my original post to add this. 

[Poohl]

First check, if 4 GB actually are used by hardware, because that's a lot (0.4MB on my PC).

Maybe check the BIOS settings but that sounds like a dead Slot/Stick.

[ApexGuardidian]

Well if you wanted to add more RAM, just turn your PC completely off and place the RAM in the RAM slots and boom! You should be upgraded

[WizErd]

Thanks for your suggestion, but I was wondering what RAM to buy, not how to put it in.

To clarify,  I have 2 * 4GB right now, should I go to 2*8GB(all new, not using existing 4GB sticks) or 4*4GB (2 of which are already installed)

[WizErd]

16 hours ago, Poohl said:

First check, if 4 GB actually are used by hardware, because that's a lot (0.4MB on my PC).

Maybe check the BIOS settings but that sounds like a dead Slot/Stick.

I looked in Bios and it sees it. In Resource monitor it shows it as hardware reserved. It could be something wrong with the slot/stick (In fact I recall having issues with it when I first built this rig). But it does show up so it's not totally dead. I'll try switching the sticks around later today and see if it works better then.

[Poohl]

I'd buy 2 * 8 and then use all 4 sticks.

but first check, if all Slots and your 4GB sticks are working.

[WizErd]

I finally had time today and I tried a bunch of combinations of slots/sticks. I marked one with a sharpie and experimented with booting under each situation. I found that 1 stick didn't work in 1 slot. I left them in the opposite slots that I started in and that worked. I now have 52 MB of hardware reserved. Thanks for telling me to check it before buying more, Poohl.