Difference in CPU Z memory versus total RAM on Windows observed
Difference in CPU Z memory versus total RAM on Windows observed
I recently purchased an 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 RAM to boost my PC performance. I connected it to achieve a total of 16GB, but Windows displays 12GB instead. I verified with CPU-Z and BIOS, which confirm 16GB. Have you encountered similar issues? Here are your specs: ASRock z87m Pro4 (latest BIOS), i5 4670K, Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 (dual channel) plus a new HyperX Fury 1x8GB DDR3 GPU. My system runs 1660 Super TUF GAMING and ASUS.
Looking at Task Manager's memory section confirms a 4GB hardware reservation is listed.
It seems Windows might not be utilizing all four storage slots, possibly due to a system setting or hardware limitation. Check your drive allocation in Task Manager to confirm usage.
Adjusted a BIOS configuration earlier. I experienced issues with inconsistent system data before experimenting with CPU overclocking. (no changes made to RAM settings in BIOS). The next time I looked in Task Manager, it accurately reflected the correct RAM count.
It's unusual, but you might explore adjusting the memory configuration options. Since you're not very familiar with advanced settings, start with basic changes and see how it affects performance.
It's hard to determine the exact settings you have since they vary by manufacturer and board. However, it's best to enable your XMP profile, which is likely available on most boards. This profile adjusts your RAM's clock speed to its default, making it a reliable choice.
With just three modules, the system won't function properly in a supported setup. You should have either one, two, or four modules, and if they're not arranged correctly, the interface will display only 12 channels or 8 in dual mode. It's better to add another module matching the 8GB one to reestablish the dual channel setup, since Windows can only safely use 12GB in that configuration.
Windows supports combining RAM in this way, though occasional problems may arise. It seems Task Manager might miss one of the 4GB modules. Keep in mind that some metrics in Task Manager aren't entirely reliable—they can be affected by various factors. Based on my observations, it generally works well enough to accurately show the total RAM. You could attempt removing individual sticks, restarting the OS, and checking which stick reaches 12GB. This will help determine if the issue lies with the 8GB module or another component.
Removed both 4GGB sticks and the window now shows 8GB available. Adding one at a time and updating the discussion.