2GB usable out of 4GB in Windows 8

9 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/2gb-usable-out-of-4gb-in-windows-8.168429/

I have a pc running original window 8 with specs as

Intel i5-2400 - 2nd gen
Intel H67BL
MSI R6670
Cooler master 500w
Sony DVD R/W
Corsair 4G.B. DDR3 1333Mhz * 1
WD Cavair Green 1T.B.
Logitech Wireless K260
HP W1907

well today i did a complete fresh install with my brand new windows 8 dvd which i bought recently

now the problem is the system is showing that

installed memory 4gb 2gb usable

help me.

in your BIOS/UEFI make sure the on board IGP is disabled and no RAM is shared there

Are you with Windows 7 32bit ??

1. I think you are using 32BIt OS
2. I also think that you are using iGPU and shared memory is 1GB.

These may be the cause if your problem, or at least it looks like that.

no i am using windows 8 32 bit

now it's showing 3.49gb usable

DOST_FRIEND59 said:
no i am using windows 8 32 bit

now it's showing 3.49gb usable

Please check below.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases (Windows)

3 GB barrier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows x86 versions cant use more than that for application use.

DOST_FRIEND59 said:
no i am using windows 8 32 bit

now it's showing 3.49gb usable

Thats around the max you can get

DOST_FRIEND59 said:
no i am using windows 8 32 bit

now it's showing 3.49gb usable

Then its ok.

You can use PAE to use your 4gb memory completely, although upgrading to 64bit OS is recommended

Install W8 x64.