Reduce hardware reserved settings by adjusting configuration parameters or clearing unused allocations.
Reduce hardware reserved settings by adjusting configuration parameters or clearing unused allocations.
I tested several methods to boost RAM speed to 3600MHz and increase memory from 8GB to 16GB. XMP is enabled and running at the same frequency, but only 8GB is used upon startup. The 16GB is reserved in "hardware reserved" and I’m unsure how to adjust that setting. (I saw this mentioned in a Twitch streamer’s PC business video, otherwise I wouldn’t have discovered it.)
The upper section of the image doesn't relate to the main topic. The operating system uses a file called a page file to transfer data from RAM into storage when memory fills up. Parts of RAM that applications haven’t used recently are quietly saved in the page file, freeing space for other programs. This allows you to run many apps without exceeding available memory—up to 50 programs using just 20 GB total. The top-right setting in your image simply deletes the page file when the computer shuts down, which is unnecessary and mainly affects SSDs by repeatedly erasing and recreating the file each time it powers off. This can cause wear on the drive.
The bottom section raises concerns: disabling automatic management and paging forces Windows to use only 16 GB of RAM, limiting memory for active apps. If a program needs more, it may refuse and switch to disk usage, potentially slowing performance. For Chrome with many tabs, this behavior can lead to inefficient memory handling.
Using an SSD is better because it reduces wear; however, keeping the page file can help if you want to maximize available RAM. Aim for at least 2% free space on your SSD at all times. Setting a fixed size (like 4 GB) and reserving it for the page file is common advice, but ensure enough space remains.
Disabling page file on SSDs is generally not recommended unless there’s corruption or power loss. Instead, focus on freeing disk space, keeping RAM healthy, and monitoring usage patterns. If you need more guidance, checking BIOS settings and using memory diagnostics tools can provide clearer insights.
In truth, storage operates at half the claimed speed. Therefore, when a manufacturer states a capacity of 3600 Mhz, they actually deliver around 1800 Mhz in practice. They increase the figure because each bit can be sent on both the rising and falling edges of a clock signal, allowing two bits per pin for every Hz within that range. Unlike SDRAM or older technologies, DDR memory products began marketing double the real frequency to clearly distinguish themselves from SDRAM and earlier types. This trend continues, so in your diagram it might look like 1067 Mhz, which translates to roughly 2133 MT/s—effectively a misleading value. The actual timing and speed should be indicated in cyan (light blue). It appears the BIOS scanned all available profiles from the stick and progressed from the lowest supported setting up to the highest, without activating XMP. Consequently, your sticks likely run at 1.2 volts, and using the standard 1067 preset would also display the same cyan color. The sections marked with XMP are actually profiles; you must enable them. You might need to manually adjust the voltage to 1.35V, but the motherboard should handle it automatically when XMP is enabled and a preset is chosen. Alternatively, you can manually tweak the timing settings—such as for 3600 Mhz, set values like 18-22-22-42-65—but for optimal results with your B450 board, begin at 3200 Mhz, refer to the Aida64 documentation, and increase only if everything functions correctly.
Review your bios for references to "memory hole," "memory reserve," or "memory above." It's improbable on current systems, though it suggests the bios allocated space for older hardware.