Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

[halo12]

I am currently using Windows 7 64 BIT operating system. I have 4GB of ram installed but I am not able to fully utilize 4GB of Ram. Windows 7 shows me that only 3.87 GB of ram is usable.

My PC Specs are as follows:

Intel core i3 540
Mushkin 2x2 GB RAM DDR3 1600 Mhz
Zotac GTS 450 1GB DDR5
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bt operating system.

Previously, I was using Windows 7 32 bit opearting system and Windows was displaying only about 3.49 GB of ram is usable. I realised this is a limitation of 32 Bit operating system which cannot display more than 4GB(theoretically around 3.5 GB). So i formatted by hard drive and installed fresh copy of Windows 7 64 bit operating system. Still, I am not fully able to utilize my 4GB RAM.

I think H55 based motherboard( frm Gigabyte) coupled with Intel core i3/i5 processor is causing this problem because i have heard that many users are reportedly facing the same problem having the H55 Chipset.

Around 140 MB of ram is hardware reserved in my case. I know that if i lose 140 MB of ram, there won't be any major difference as far as performance is concerned but still if i would have been fully able to utilize my 4GB of RAM, it would have been better.

I think may be there is some kind of bug on H55 based motherboard. Gigabyte motherboards generally have automatic memory remapping feature still many users are facing this problem. I sincerely hope Gigabyte rectifies this error in future BIOS updates. My bios update is F4.

[Chike]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

Is the built in graphics disabled?

[halo12]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

yup

[wazza300]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

its a common problem on gigabyte mb's,it reserves 140 mb for onboard graphics,even if its disabled and i dont know whether its a bios issue either,cant say about asus mb's whether they do the same thing

try setting system performance enhance to standard in the bios,see if that has any effect

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

Yes, more technical information on this can be found here

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/39790-possible-use-full-4gb-ga-h55m-ud2h.html

And here

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/41075-possible-use-full-4-gb-ga-h55m-s2hp-2.html

[halo12]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

Well...Please find the screenshot of the reply which i received from Gigabyte Technical team ....

Dear Vinod,

Thank you for your kindly mail and inquiry. About the issue you mentioned, the reason you lack of memory can be related to the processor. Core i3 540 Clarkdale will consume the memory, thay why only 3.87GB is usable. If you try a Lynnfield processor, like Core™ i5-760 2.80GHz, then it won't have this problem.

If you still have any further question or suggestion about our products/service, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will try our best to help you resolve the problem ASAP.

Regards,
GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" background="http://forums.tweaktown.com/images/pop-bgtitle.jpg">

Question - 1008750

</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#edf3fd"><td>From : </td><td>Vinod Kumar Nair </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#edf3fd"><td>Sent : </td><td>11/28/2010 20:33</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#edf3fd"><td valign="top">Question : </td><td>I am not able to utilize full 4GB of RAM with this motherboard in Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit operating system. It says only 3.87gb usable.


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Model Name : GA-H55M-S2(rev. 1.3)
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M/B Rev : 1.3
BIOS Ver : F4
Serial No. :
Purchase Dealer :
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VGA Brand : Nvidia Model : GTS 450
CPU Brand : Intel Model : Core i3 540 Speed : 3.07
Operation System : Win 7 64-bit SP :
Memory Brand : Mushkin Type : DDR3
Memory Size : 4GB Speed :
Power Supply : 400 W
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Only 3.87 GB usable with GA-H55M-S2

Lynnfield CPU also has memory reserved as well, but not as much as Clarkdale, as noted in more technical detail by the Gigabyte support team in the above linked threads.