AsRock Z68 Extreme4 Motherboard: Stick RAM - Half Available Memory?
In this article, we'll be discussing a common issue faced by users of the AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard, specifically when 32GB of RAM is installed using four 8GB sticks. This guide will provide a detailed context of the topic, cover key concepts, and include subtitles to help users navigate through the content.
1. Introduction
The AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard is a popular choice for PC builders due to its solid performance and extensive feature set. However, some users have reported an issue where only half of the installed RAM is available for use. This problem arises when 32GB of RAM is installed using four 8GB sticks.
2. The Issue: Half Available Memory
Users might observe that, although 32GB of RAM is installed, the system only recognizes 16GB as available for use. This isn't an uncommon issue, and it's typically caused by a compatibility problem between the motherboard and the RAM sticks.
3. Understanding Compatibility
Before we dive deeper into the issue, let's examine how compatibility is determined between motherboards and RAM modules.
Supported memory types
AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard supports the following memory types:
- DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066/800 MHz
- Non-ECC, Un-buffered DIMM
- Dual Channel
- Max. 32 GB4. Possible Causes
The primary reason for the AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard recognizing only half of the installed RAM is a compatibility issue with the specific sticks used.
RAM specifications
Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMM (KHX1600C9D3X2K2_8GX)
- DDR3
- 1600 MHz
- CL9
- Unbuffered
- Non-ECC5. Solutions
Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve the issue of half available memory when using the AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard and 32GB of RAM. These include:
- Updating the BIOS version
- Adjusting memory settings in BIOS
- Manually setting the memory timings
- Replacing incompatible RAM modules
6. Conclusion
While the AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard supports up to 32GB of RAM, some users might experience issues when using four 8GB sticks. Our guide covered the key concepts regarding this issue, the possible causes, and the solutions available.
7. Summary and References
In summary, the issue of half available memory on the AsRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard can be resolved by updating the BIOS, adjusting memory settings, or replacing incompatible RAM modules. Below, you can find further resources for this topic:
- AsRock Support: https://www.asrock.com/mb/support/
- Kingston RAM Specs: https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/khx1600c9d3x2k2_8gx.pdf
- CPU-Z: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html