RAM Upgrade from 4 to 8GB. WEI went down. Hardware Reserved?

I just upgraded my RAM from 4 to 8GB and my Windows score went from a 5.6 to a 5.5. CPU-Z shows 8192Mb installed so I know there isn't a loose connection.

When I ran the resource monitor I noticed that 5.5GB were listed as hardware reserve. What does this mean and how do I get my computer to properly use the RAM I've installed?

I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium x64 on a Toshiba L775D-S7304

Toshiba Satellite® L775D-S7304 17.3" widescreen Laptop (Silver) | Laptops | Computers | us.toshiba.com

With 2 4GB sticks of G.SKILL RAM

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBSQ

Also I've attached a picture or what I'm going through...

 

Well, that was a counter-intuitive result to a memory upgrade. In a similar upgrade of a Nehalem generation system from a different manufacturer, my Windows score went from 5.5 to 6.7, which is what you'd expect.

Now I know the old fuddy duddies always suggest that you add RAM only one stick at a time, adding the first stick, then running an overnight memtext, then adding another stick, then running a second overnight memtest.

To be honest, I didn't do that. I put 'em both in and ran an extensive memtest for a few hours. I had good luck.

 

I'd just ignore that .1 difference, I've seen Running programs cause differences as small as that, and WEI itself isn't the best way to benchmark anyway.

As far as all that hardware reserved... You haven't gone in and made any changes to your system that you don't remember have you? Try checking your BIOS for any odd options.

 

32bit OS? mobo/chipset support for 8gb?

 

Problem solved.

msconfig>boot tab>advanced options>check max memory and enter value

I saved 2.5GB for hardware (assuming it's for integrated graphics) After applying changes and reboot Memory subscore in WEI went from 5.5 to 7.3.

Not really sure what happened but I'm glad I beat it.

 

I have also one question)))
Once I had Win7 x86 and 4GB Ram installed, availiable were only 2.99 GB (it looks like some ammount was also hardware reserved)
Now I have Win7 x64 and 8Gb of Ram installed, availiable are all 8Gb. But when I go to "msconfig", put a thick and set my maximum Ram ammount to 8192 (as it is), restart my laptop......and availiable are 6.99Gb

So the question is:
What is better for a whole system and its performance? Leave some memory for hardware reserve or not????

 

If i had to take a guess, it probably has to do with memory addressing. That 8GB you set might be the max for available memory addresses including all devices rather than RAM only if that is the case, any device with it's own memory like a GPU would reduce the amount of usable RAM. This is just a guess though. I'd tell you to let windows manage the memory instead of limiting the amount.