Why Does My PC Show Only 5.9 GB Usable out of 8 GB RAM?

It's a common frustration when your PC reports only 5.9 GB of usable RAM out of the 8 GB installed. This article will help you diagnose and resolve this issue, providing you with a step-by-step guide to understanding and increasing your available RAM.

Common Causes of Memory Discrepancies

There are several potential reasons for this discrepancy. Here we break down the most common causes and provide solutions to address each of them.

1. Integrated Graphics

If your computer uses integrated graphics like Intel HD Graphics, a portion of your RAM may be allocated as video memory. This can reduce the amount of RAM available for general use. To check and adjust this, you can access your BIOS/UEFI settings and adjust the memory allocation for the integrated graphics.

2. System Reserved Memory

Some memory is reserved for system tasks and hardware components, including motherboard BIOS or other peripherals. This reserved memory can reduce the amount of RAM available for applications.

3. 32-bit Operating System

If you are using a 32-bit version of Windows, it can only address up to 4 GB of RAM, with even less available for applications due to system reserved memory. Consider upgrading to a 64-bit version to release more memory for use by your applications.

4. Faulty RAM

In rare cases, one of the RAM modules may be faulty or improperly seated, leading to reduced usable memory. You can run memory diagnostics to check for issues. Popular tools include Windows Memory Diagnostic in Windows or built-in tools on other operating systems.

5. Hardware Limitations

Your motherboard may have specific limitations or configurations that do not fully support the installed RAM. Ensure that your motherboard supports the full amount of RAM you have installed.

6. Background Processes

Certain background processes or applications may be using significant amounts of RAM. Check your Task Manager to see what is consuming memory and identify any unusual processes. Managing or terminating these processes can help free up more RAM.

How to Troubleshoot Low RAM Usage

If you have tried the above steps and are still experiencing low RAM usage, here are a few more steps to try:

Check your system properties to ensure you are using a 64-bit version of the operating system. This can be done by going to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance Information and Tools > Memory. Access your BIOS/UEFI settings and check the RAM allocation for integrated graphics to ensure that the correct amount of RAM is allocated. Run memory diagnostics to check for any faulty RAM modules. Monitor your RAM usage in the Task Manager to identify any processes consuming unusual amounts of memory and manage them accordingly.

In some cases, you may find that your system is using RAM for graphics purposes, especially if you don’t have a dedicated graphics card or a newer PC with a built-in dedicated graphics chip. In such cases, you can try adjusting the BIOS settings or using tools like msconfig to configure your PC to use the maximum cores and memory possible.

If none of these steps help, you may need to consider refreshing Windows or re-installing it. This can be a drastic measure, but it can sometimes resolve underlying issues.

When all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance from a local computer repair shop.

Keywords: PC RAM Usage, Usable RAM, Memory Discrepancy