Windows only able to use part of the RAM?

Hi

I'm currently working on a desktop computer for a friend, and I'm hoping someone can help me with a RAM issue.

The computer is from IBUYPOWER, and needless to say, I'm not impressed with how they built it. It's got a lot of great stuff inside, though.

Specs:

Intel i7 990X, water cooled
EVGA 131-GT-E767-TR mobo
24GB (6x4GB) Corsair DDR3-1600 RAM
Dual Nvidia GTX 560ti
2 1.5TB HDDs set up in a RAID0
Other stuff that isn't important for this

First of all, the computer was shipped from the States to here (Germany) USPS... well, it was damaged when it was shipped... the graphics cards pulled the motherboard PCIE slots to a point where the motherboard died... the original motherboard was a Gigabyte POS (lots of bad reviews, etc. and no I don't remember the model number off hand). So, I ordered the EVGA motherboard, changed out motherboards, and it booted right up (this is after testing the power supply and graphics cards, etc. to determine the issue). Not that it matters, but I normally don't go for EVGA mobos because they tend to be overpriced and crap, but this one had the best layout for his current hardware versus ASUS, and good reviews over a long time period. I wasn't impressed with the location of the front audio connection on it, but other than that it is a decent board.

Well, the EVGA board needed a BIOS update, so I flashed the BIOS no problem (it originally had issues with the original BIOS... this was a necessary flash). Once I'm in Windows though, it says 24GB RAM (7.99 usable)!? It's not a Windows version limitation... the Windows version is genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. So, what's up with that? Is this a setting in the BIOS I need to change, or something I need to change in Windows?

 

Update: I've tried going into msconfig, boot tab, advanced options, checking maximum memory and setting it to 24GB... well, I rebooted the machine, and same thing. Also, the maximum memory section had 0 listed.

 

What a monster!:eek :drool I've got the same mobo but never saw a BIOS option in the RAM section that might account for that, though there's like 20 settings one could change. This is just a guess but you may have bad RAM in two channels, though I'm not at all sure. Go to eVGA's forums and ask the question there, those guys are really good.

BTW, since the machine is water-cooled, check to make sure that your vregs are not too hot as that silverish heatsink is not getting the same amount of air blowing across with the stock cooler, especially if you're going to OC. Good luck.

 

Yeah, I think I'm pretty much stuck at testing the RAM, or doing the RAM dance, or both, or whatever.

The heatsink on this is copper, it's a CPU-only water cooling system... didn't look what brand, my guess is Corsair. He wants it OCed, which I doubt will be a problem since it idles at 19C. The only thing I would change on this system is the case (CM 922 HAF) and I'd definitely water cool the gfx cards.

I have heard that OCing can affect the RAM thing like this, but it does it with default settings... so... eh. I'll check the vregs though.

 

Ahh, probably a Corsair H-60/70, my case is a CM Sniper with a side fan blowing on the VC's. I had to install mine in slots 1 and 3 as the heat was just too much when in 1 and 2. Water blocking the VC's was not an option, just too damn expensive.

Do the RAM dance man, what does BIOS say about total RAM?

EDIT: eVGA has a great OC'ing guide, can't remember which one I used. It was from an outside source though.

 

Similar issue here. I'm augie1111 over there, I believe I had the record for hottest vreg temps compared to their temps @105C. :eek!:-D

 

Well, it has to be a setting in the BIOS I think. I have only 3 4GB sticks in, and memtest86 only sees 4GB, so I'm guessing with 6 sticks in, it'd see 8GB just like Windows is saying.

This is somewhat frustrating... heh.

Edit: and YES I have them in the correct slots, fully seated.

 

Well, I've concluded the motherboard is PDOA (P is for partially).

DIMM slots 1 and 2 don't show anything in the BIOS, and memtest86 doesn't see anything in them, either. In fact, if RAM is in DIMM slot 3, the system will boot, but if RAM is only in DIMM slot 1 or 2, the system won't post.

F me running. I just can't figure out how Windows can see it... though I haven't booted into Windows in awhile, so who knows what it would show now.

 

Crap, RMA TIME. That's going to be a lot of work. On a new machine too.

 

Fairly new, yeah... less than a year old. Only a few hours putting in... so should only be a few to take the sucker out. Bleh.

 

Well... now I think it's POSSIBLY a BIOS update glitch, since Windows can see all the RAM... so I'm going to try re-flashing it and stuff.

 

Yeah, no dice... I even tried a different BIOS version, same results. RMA time... bleh.

 

Well, one more update... one of the CPU socket pins was bent. I KNEW someone did something with this board before, since it wasn't completely factory sealed when I got it... one of the sides to open the box had the circle sticker cut already.

The board's working fine now, since I straightened the pin.

 

I think I'm going to avoid even looking at IBUYPOWER based on the problems you've had. Sounds like an incredible headache.

 

Well, the problematic motherboard this thread is about was ordered from Newegg, but, the problems from IBUYPOWER were:

Several loose screws
CPU was globbed with WAY too much TIM (and cheap TIM at that -- the computer was less than a year old, and the TIM was already dried out and clumpy)
Cabling job sucked... if it were my machine, I'd redo all the cabling
The original mobo in the machine had extensive bad reviews on Newegg and elsewhere

So yeah... looks like that's a company that makes money off of gamers that don't know a CPU from a hard drive.:-D