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    8GB RAM with PM965 chipset

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by RickAbraham, Jul 8, 2009.

  1. RickAbraham

    RickAbraham Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok guys I just did a test and fitted 8GB of Corsair RAM to my Dell Studio 1735 laptop using the PM965 chipset.
    I wanted to see if the machine would see it.
    Im using Windows 7 RC Ultimate 64bit

    BIOS can see the full 8GB
    CPU-Z sees the full 8GB
    When you open My Computer at the bottom of the window it see's 8GB
    But when you go to System Imformation it says
    Installed Physical Memory RAM : Not avaliable
    Total Physical Memory : 8GB
    Avaliable Physical Memory : 6.75GB

    So does this mean the system can use all the RAM or not ??
     
    RickAbraham, Jul 8, 2009
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  2. RickAbraham

    RickAbraham Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did a performace test with Window 7's OS software and that only picked up 6.75GB of RAM aswell.
    So I guess this answers my question that 6GB of RAM can be used with the PM965 chipset even tho Intel only claims that it supports 4GB.
    But it seems that the OS can see the 8GB but cannot use it all.
     
    RickAbraham, Jul 8, 2009
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  3. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Available Physical memory is quite literally, available physical memory. You load up your OS and you're already using a portion of it, in this case, 1.25GB (8-1.25=6.75). What you're seeing is totally normal.
     
    Hep!, Jul 8, 2009
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  4. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    I wouldn't say that's an OS limitation ...
    I think it may be a BIOS limitation.

    You may want to check if there's an upgraded BIOS version for your laptop.
    If there is, you can flash it and see if the OS will recognize the remaining RAM.

    I had a similar issue when moving from 3 to 4GB.
    I had to flash my BIOS in order for Vista x64 to see and use all RAM.

    Alternatively, have you messed around with Win 7 settings by any chance?
    for example in msconfig and set the max. amount of RAM to what it is and sellected 2 cores?
    If so, just don't mess with those settings because I tried it and RAM was limited to 3 GB in x64 OS.

    One more thing:
    Open up task manager and under Performance tab check the Physical memory.
    If the 'Total' says 8000 (or over) then it's ok.
    If it says 6000, then it's likely a bios limitation or something else
     
    Deks, Jul 8, 2009
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  5. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    If the BIOS can see the whole 8GB, then I dont think the inaccessible memory has anything to do with the BIOS.
     
    Andy, Jul 8, 2009
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  6. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    wow, I can't beleive this. I guess this means I might be able to use 8gb with my GM965. I will definatly try when the 4gb sticks get a bit cheaper.
    thanks for the test RickAbraham. +rep
     
    moral hazard, Jul 8, 2009
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  7. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    Before I upgraded my BIOS, it reported 4 GB, but in x64 Vista, it said a total amount of physical ram was 3GB in task manager ... although the system information saw the 4 GB.
    It wasn't after I upgraded my BIOS to the latest version that the OS was able to access/use all 4GB.

    Seeing and being able to access/use RAM are different things.

    I'm not saying that BIOS not being upgraded is the ultimate thing that is at fault ... but it was usually associated with these types of issues in the past so it's worth exploring at the very least.
     
    Deks, Jul 8, 2009
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