System Properties displays wrong amount of RAM

[Whitestar]

I have the following motherboard: EVGA nForce 680i SLI (A1)

First I had 2GB of OCZ DDR2 2048MB Platinum XTC Dual Channel. Then I upgraded with 2GB more of the same memory to a total of 4GB.

Now in the post screen and BIOS the memory displays correctly: 4193280K

But in the System Properties in Windows (XP with service pack 2) it says 2,75 GB of RAM

In SIW (System Info for Windows) it says 2048 MB of total memory, even if it reports 4 slots with 1GB in each.

Anyone have a clue?

 

[ryderOCZ]

32-bit Windows will only show 2.75 - 3.25GB of ram in the OS.

See here for more details: http://www.ocztechnologyforum....showthread.php?t=28542

 

[Whitestar]

Thanks, ryderOCZ. Useful info.

Anyway, now my computer suddenly started crashing when I run games. There is a short white noise sound followed by a BSOD which is barely visible for a second and then the computer restarts. This happens after about 5 minutes of game time. And it started happening after I upgraded to 4GB RAM.

Do you know if this happens because Windows doesn't handle 4GB, or could one or both of the new memory modules be defect?

First I will try removing the module in slot 3 and see how the machine runs with 3GB. If it still crashes I'll try replacing the module in slot 2 with the other new one. If the problem persists I guess I'll just have to return the modules to the shop where I bought them.

Any thoughts, ryderOCZ?

 

[ryderOCZ]

Do you have the ram voltage set at 2.0 - 2.1V?

Do you have the SPP Voltage set to 1.40V?

Do you have the P28, P29, or P30 bios installed?

 

[JustaGeek]

Read this:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

In short: it makes no sense to install 4GB of RAM on a 32-bit system.

 

[Whitestar]

Removed one of the modules so now I have 3 x 1GB. No more crashes.



Ok, so I gather from what you're saying JustaGeek that I have 3 options:

1. Return the two 1GB modules and get two 512MB modules instead.

2. Use one of the 1GB modules, miss out on dual channel and keep the other 1GB for later upgrade to 64-bit OS.

3. Keep both 1GB modules for later upgrade to 64-bit OS and buy two new 512MB modules to use until then, thereby getting dual channel.

Do you think its's worth the money performance wise to buy two extra 512MB modules? As I understand it, the real world performance gain with using dual channel is very small and probably not visible in games. Two 512MB modules will cost roughly $90.

 

[ryderOCZ]

Whitestar,

Did you try any of the changes I outlined in my second post?

Wtih a fully loaded board you will have to change some voltages for stability. The load on the memory controller increases.

Have you tested each pair by themselves to determine if 1 pair of the other has an issue that needs adressing?

 

[JustaGeek]

I would strongly recommend getting 2 x 512MB of RAM.

By the time you are ready for the upgrade to 4GB and 64-bit OS, you might need... DDR3 memory!

I am not planning to upgrade to 64-bit OS until and unless all the compatibility problems are resolved (like between 16-bit and 32-bit OS').

At least another year or two, maybe more.

P.S. Some motherboards have really hard time dealing with 4GB of RAM. The "dead zone" between 3GB and 4GB is occupied by the VRAM, PCI, chipsets etc. and might be causing huge conflicts.

 

[Whitestar]

ryderOCZ, I will try adjusting the voltages and the other tips you provided. If the motherboard can't handle 4GB (i.e. if I still get those crashes), then I will go for 2 x 512. I'm very happy with my OCZ memory, by the way. ;-)

Thanks for all help, guys.

EDIT: Eh, I'm suddenly a bit confused about which BIOS version I have. On the post screen it says Nvidia 2.053.74. In SIW it says Nvidia 42302e31. Do you know which version this is? Should I flash to P30 if this is not it?

 

[JustaGeek]

I would definitely update to the latest BIOS - perhaps that will fix your problem, without going through the whole exchange process.

Good luck!

 

[Whitestar]

Do any of you guys have an answer for my BIOS version question?

 

[ryderOCZ]

No, I do not have the board in the test bench at the moment, I have no idea what code identifies the bios.

Go to the Mainboard tab of CPU-z, it tells you the bios date and should say what "p" code it is also.

 

[Whitestar]

The Mainboard tab of CPU-z shows only 6.00 PG, which is the AwardBIOS version, I think.

Anyway, I flashed the P30 BIOS, and now the post screen shows Nvidia BIOS version 2.053.91. Before I flashed it was 2.053.74. So I guess 2.053.91 is the P30 BIOS.

One last question: Assuming I get the 4x1GB modules to work with good stability, will this be better than having 2x1GB + 2x512MB? I.e will Windows actually USE all 4 gigabytes? Or will 2x1GB + 2x512MB be just as good?

Thanks again for all help, guys.

 

[JustaGeek]

If the 4x1GB modules work with good stability, I would just keep them. You don't need the hassle of RMA.

But the 32-bit Windows will NEVER use full 4GB of RAM. 2x1GB + 2x512MB would be probably a better choice, but again - if it works with 4GB, just keep it.

Good luck!