Zanussi Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 I have installed two TwinX2048-3200C2PT kits in a Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 motherboard along with an Athlon 64 x2 4800+ processor. The theory is that I get 4GB of RAM running at DDR 400 speeds. :cool: The BIOS version of the motherboard is F6 - the only later one on Gigabyte's website is a Beta version (F7e) and I have also tried this in an attempt to resolve the problem. With all 4 sticks of RAM installed the systems BIOS on power-up only reports 3407872KB of available memory instead of 4194304. Where is the missing memory? :confused: I have tried all combinations of 3 sticks in any 3 of the 4 slots and I always get the expected 3145728KB of available memory reported. The moment I add the 4th stick I get the aforementioned problem. The only benefit of upgrading to th F7e BIOS was that it told me that the memory was running at 333MHz instead of 400MHz. You can alter the configuration to make it run (apparently happily) at the 400MHz speed. So my questions are: Where is my missing memory? Why is it defaulting to the slower speed? Have I got a suspect motherboard? All help appreciated!! :(: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandyKid Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 Welcome to the forums, Zanussi! Where is my missing memory? It's still there. Try CPU-Z or Everest to check it from Windows. This is a well documented BIOS limitation, not an error. Windows will still see and use your memory, however you might want to check up on your particular operating system. Windows XP will not cache more than 2GB of RAM for program use, 64-bit edition will. Why is it defaulting to the slower speed? Because that's the 'safe' setting the BIOS deems necessary. As you've shown, manually you can bring it back up to DDR400, but with all four modules your BIOS is defaulting to something that'll cause less instability if there were to be a problem. Think of it why CPU's used to boot up on a 100MHz BUS on the first boot. It's a failsafe. Have I got a suspect motherboard? Nope, sounds fine. Run Memtest86+ to be sure of the memory though! PLUR CK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanussi Posted October 31, 2005 Author Share Posted October 31, 2005 Thanks for the quick answer! :): Would you mind explaining a bit more about this BIOS limitation and why some motherboards report the full 4GB but others don't? I've downloaded MemTest86 v1.65 and executed it with odd results. :confused: It correctly reports the processor, processor speed and nForce4 chipset. It correctly reports that the RAM speed is 201 MHz (DDR402) / CAS 3-3-3-8 / Dual Channel (128 bits) which I think is good as this is what I'm expecting. With the standard memory sizing option selected (BIOS - Std) MemTest reports finding only 3328M of memory. It also reports that it is testing 108K to 3328M of memory. In addition there is 276M of "reserved" memory, whetever that is! With the (BIOS - All) option selected, MemTest reports finding 3604M of memory. However, conflictingly it reports that it is testing 108K to 4096M 3604M of memory but produces a screenful of red (errors) and if I leave it running the error count just goes up and up and up and up ..... ad infitum it would appear! With the (Probe) memory sizing selected I'm back to only having 3328MB being reported. I'm now more confused (I think). :confused: The only option that reports being able to see the full 4Gb still has the number 3604Mb sitting right next to it on the Testing range and I'm getting nothing but errors during the testing. I've slowed the memory down to the failsafe of 333MHz but get identical results. I've adjusted the memory settings back to 400MHz and from 3-3-3-7 to 2-3-3-6 (as per its specifications) and again get identical results. Am I missing something obvious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandyKid Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Test each set by itself, only two modules at a time... just to be sure. Also, what does CPU-Z or Everest report? The reserved memory is another BIOS 'thing', but I don't have time to go into it just now! Hopefully RAM GUY or somebody else will catch this soon, if not, I'll try to give you a much better response tomorrow. PLUR CK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garvin Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 A link to a partial answer from Ram Guy and mwarner: http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36810 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanussi Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 First thanks to CandyKid for ongoing advice on this and Garvin for that VERY useful link to another person trying to get 4GB working! I've read through it and if anyone can confirm that my existing memory (TwinX2048-3200C2PT kits x 2) is compatible with that motherboard I may well go for it. I ran tests on the memory (single, dual configurations with different modules and different slot combos) and they seem fine so I'm happy with the memory and the slots. Summary of the information from Everest: Operating System: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition OS Service Pack: Service Pack 1 CPU Type: DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400MHz(12x200) 4800+ Motherboard Name: Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 (3 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16 4DDR DIMM, Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, IEE1394 Motherboard Chipset: nVIDIA nFORCE4 Ultra, AMD Hammer System Memory 3328MB (PC3200 DDR RAM) Under Computer \ Overclock it reports (under SPD Memory Modules) that it can see 4 x Corsair CMX1024-3200C2 modules and identifies each as 1GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200MHz) Under Motherboard \ Memory it reports that the total Physical Memory as being 3327MB and that Physical Address Extensions are 1. Supported By Operating System, 2. Supported by CPU and 3. Active Summary of CPU-Z Results: Correctly Identifies the Processor and Mainboard (as Everest) Correctly identifies 4096MB RAM (YeeeeeeHaaaaaaah!!!!! :eek: :bigeyes: ) Am I therefore right in thinking that this "missing" memory is in fact mapped out in favour of PCI and PCI-Express? And that I will never be able to use the full 4GB of RAM? I think I'm nearing the end of this quest ..... :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandyKid Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 It could be mapped out, the problem with a lot of these programs is they directly poll the BIOS which, obviously, isn't reporting correctly in the first place! Those modules SHOULD be compatible, so up it to 2.85 volts for a little extra stability and go from there. I think you should get everything going for you without too much hassle, but the amount reported may never be completely correct. PLUR CK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanussi Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 I have managed to get a (very?) informative response from Gigabyte which may answer all my questions / problems!! :eek: Here's an extract: ***** 2. For our K8 Nvidia NForce 4 boards, there should be no problem showing 4 GB in P.O.S.T. Please update latest BIOS. There are two main factors that should be considered: A. BIOS B. Operating system However, please make sure that the K8 CPU is of "E" or upper stepping. Earlier stepping ( A, B, C, D ) does NOT support this "I/O remapping" function. ( Simply said, the I/O remapping function is needed to show or support 4 GB in P.O.S.T. ). In the BIOS Setup, then press "CTRL + F1" keys at the same time. Then look for the "Advanced Chipset Features" menu. Then Go to "DRAM Configuration" option. Press Enter. Then enable the option "Memory Hole Remapping" . For Windows XP 32 bit, even though the BIOS does support or shows 4 GB memory in P.O.S.T., But the operating system does not fully support 4 GB. AMD website for checking K8 OPN number. http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/ **** I will let you know how I get on with this ...... :D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 3, 2005 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 3, 2005 Yes I think Giga-Byte tech support has made leaps and bounds at providing better support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanussi Posted November 5, 2005 Author Share Posted November 5, 2005 A hidden menu option in the GigaByte BIOS (accessed using the undocumented key combo CTRL-F1 at the BIOS main menu) allows access to a new menu (Advanced BIOS Features), of which one of the sub-options is "Memory Hole Remapping". By default this is disabled. Enable this and reboot and I can see my full 4GB at BIOS level AND with WinXP x64. :sunglasse There is a very strange thing that happens though which I can't explain yet, which is that several times now with this new mode, BIOS options have moved around between menus. For example, the DRAM fine tuning configuration seems to float between appearing under the standard BIOS menu option (Motherboard Tweaking menu) and the previously hidden menu (Advanced BIOS features). One boot puts it under one menu, the next puts it back under the other menu. This is also happening for other sub-options (floating around between different BIOS menus ...) But at least I can see my 4GB now. Thanks to everyone or all your help!! :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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