Vista - Poor Performance With 4GB Memory

**Akumajou** · 11-11-2008

I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid adding a memory limit?

Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit)
Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006
Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB)
Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1)
GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725
Audigy 2

11-12-2008

> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and

Quote:

> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most
> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that
> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB
> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the
> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in
> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm
> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so
> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of
> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more
> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid
> adding a memory limit?
>
> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit)
> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006
> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB)
> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1)
> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725
> Audigy 2
>
>
> --

You could:
Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS.
Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested
during boot up.
Check the Asus website for a BIOS update.
Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed
to see if the OS confirms the problem.
Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended
amount (it increases when you add ram)

11-12-2008

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx>
wrote:

Quote:

>> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and
>> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most
>> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that
>> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB
>> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the
>> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in
>> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm
>> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so
>> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of
>> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more
>> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid
>> adding a memory limit?
>>
>> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit)
>> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006
>> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB)
>> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1)
>> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725
>> Audigy 2
>>
>>
>> --

>You could:
>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS.
>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested
>during boot up.
>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update.
>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed
>to see if the OS confirms the problem.
>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended
>amount (it increases when you add ram)

All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any
good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's
problems began after installing more memory, right????

11-12-2008

"Deet" <deetritus@xxxxxx> kirjoitti viestissä
news:bp0mh4tk3sn4jbvq3r6jcea0pufqn1l1s5@xxxxxx

Quote:

> On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx>
> wrote:
>

Quote:

>>> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and
>>> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most
>>> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that
>>> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB
>>> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the
>>> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in
>>> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm
>>> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so
>>> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of
>>> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more
>>> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid
>>> adding a memory limit?
>>>
>>> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit)
>>> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006
>>> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB)
>>> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1)
>>> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725
>>> Audigy 2
>>>
>>>
>>> --

>>You could:
>>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS.
>>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested
>>during boot up.
>>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update.
>>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs
>>installed
>>to see if the OS confirms the problem.
>>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended
>>amount (it increases when you add ram)

>
> All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any
> good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's
> problems began after installing more memory, right????

check your BIOS and see if memory re-mapping is enabled.

11-12-2008

>>You could:

Quote:

>>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS.
>>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested
>>during boot up.
>>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update.
>>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs
>>installed
>>to see if the OS confirms the problem.
>>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended
>>amount (it increases when you add ram)

>
> All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any
> good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's
> problems began after installing more memory, right????
>

Not sure why you consider my suggestions "odd". If the mobo detects all
four gigs that's a pretty good indication that the amount is supported.
Even if the correct amount of memory is detected it's a good idea to check
for a BIOS update, and if one is available what issues it addresses.
Turning off the silent and quick boot features in the BIOS often enables and
makes visible the memory test. While I wouldn't consider the mobo ram test
definitive if it failed that would certainly indicate a problem. Assuming
no problem has been detected at the bios level running the Windows
Experience Index test is one way of benchmarking the ram - if done with 2 gb
and then 4 gb it would be clear if the OS is having issues accessing the
extra memory. And last, while I don't think it would be the cause of the
problem it is a fact that the recommended minimum for the page file
increases when ram is added and I think it's a good idea to give the OS what
it wants.

I would be interested to hear how you would address the issue.

11-13-2008

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:25:52 -0600, Deet <deetritus@xxxxxx>
wrote:

Quote:

>On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx>
>wrote:
>

Quote:

>>> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and
>>> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most
>>> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that
>>> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB
>>> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the
>>> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in
>>> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm
>>> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so
>>> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of
>>> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more
>>> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid
>>> adding a memory limit?
>>>
>>> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit)
>>> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006
>>> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB)
>>> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1)
>>> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725
>>> Audigy 2
>>>
>>>
>>> --

>>You could:
>>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS.
>>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested
>>during boot up.
>>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update.
>>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed
>>to see if the OS confirms the problem.
>>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended
>>amount (it increases when you add ram)

>
>All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any
>good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's
>problems began after installing more memory, right????

The obvious move, since problems began after the installation of new
RAM sticks, would be to run Vista's Memory Diagnostic tool.

Type "memory" without the quotes in the Start Menu search box and tell
it to run the test on a restart.

If the OP is overclocking, I would also try setting memory/cpu BIOS
settings to the default.

11-13-2008

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:11:28 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx>
wrote:

Quote:

>I would be interested to hear how you would address the issue.

I answered by replying to my own post (it's way past my bed time).

**Akumajou** · 11-13-2008

All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't.

New, related thread: Blackout On 4GB Memory Gaming

11-13-2008

Akumajou <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote:

Quote:

>All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed
>Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm
>using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't.

You're a moron. Set everything in your BIOS to default and your
problem will go away.

Richie Hardwick

11-13-2008

"Akumajou" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:6af0ea2174d48722594857fc783ee6d8@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

Quote:

>
> All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed
> Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm
> using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't.
>
> New, related thread:
> Blackout On 4GB Memory Gaming
>
>
> --
> Akumajou

Your problems are self inflicted. Reset the BIOS to default..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

11-11-2008	#1 (permalink)
Akumajou 8 posts	Poor Performance With 4GB Memory I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid adding a memory limit? Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit) Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006 Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB) Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1) GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725 Audigy 2
My System Specs

11-12-2008	#2 (permalink)
Victek n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory > I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and Quote: > immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most > noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that > setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB > (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the > limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in > performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm > aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so > this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of > all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more > stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid > adding a memory limit? > > Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit) > Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006 > Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB) > Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1) > GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725 > Audigy 2 > > > -- You could: Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS. Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested during boot up. Check the Asus website for a BIOS update. Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed to see if the OS confirms the problem. Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended amount (it increases when you add ram)
My System Specs

11-12-2008	#3 (permalink)
Deet n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: Quote: >> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and >> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most >> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that >> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB >> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the >> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in >> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm >> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so >> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of >> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more >> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid >> adding a memory limit? >> >> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit) >> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006 >> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB) >> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1) >> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725 >> Audigy 2 >> >> >> -- >You could: >Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS. >Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested >during boot up. >Check the Asus website for a BIOS update. >Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed >to see if the OS confirms the problem. >Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended >amount (it increases when you add ram) All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's problems began after installing more memory, right????
My System Specs

11-12-2008	#4 (permalink)
gomjabbar n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory "Deet" <deetritus@xxxxxx> kirjoitti viestissä news:bp0mh4tk3sn4jbvq3r6jcea0pufqn1l1s5@xxxxxx Quote: > On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx> > wrote: > Quote: Quote: >>> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and >>> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most >>> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that >>> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB >>> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the >>> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in >>> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm >>> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so >>> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of >>> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more >>> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid >>> adding a memory limit? >>> >>> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit) >>> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006 >>> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB) >>> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1) >>> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725 >>> Audigy 2 >>> >>> >>> -- >>You could: >>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS. >>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested >>during boot up. >>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update. >>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs >>installed >>to see if the OS confirms the problem. >>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended >>amount (it increases when you add ram) > > All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any > good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's > problems began after installing more memory, right???? check your BIOS and see if memory re-mapping is enabled.
My System Specs

11-12-2008	#5 (permalink)
Victek n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory >>You could: Quote: Quote: >>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS. >>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested >>during boot up. >>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update. >>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs >>installed >>to see if the OS confirms the problem. >>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended >>amount (it increases when you add ram) > > All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any > good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's > problems began after installing more memory, right???? > Not sure why you consider my suggestions "odd". If the mobo detects all four gigs that's a pretty good indication that the amount is supported. Even if the correct amount of memory is detected it's a good idea to check for a BIOS update, and if one is available what issues it addresses. Turning off the silent and quick boot features in the BIOS often enables and makes visible the memory test. While I wouldn't consider the mobo ram test definitive if it failed that would certainly indicate a problem. Assuming no problem has been detected at the bios level running the Windows Experience Index test is one way of benchmarking the ram - if done with 2 gb and then 4 gb it would be clear if the OS is having issues accessing the extra memory. And last, while I don't think it would be the cause of the problem it is a fact that the recommended minimum for the page file increases when ram is added and I think it's a good idea to give the OS what it wants. I would be interested to hear how you would address the issue.
My System Specs

11-13-2008	#6 (permalink)
Deet n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:25:52 -0600, Deet <deetritus@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: >On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:42:16 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx> >wrote: > Quote: Quote: >>> I recently added 2GB of memory to my P4P800 for a total of 4GB, and >>> immediately began experiencing visible performance problems most >>> noticeably in games. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that >>> setting Maximum Memory in System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to 3300MB >>> (I didn't test every 1MB below the limit, by the way), down from the >>> limit of 3328 (using 1 or 2MB less than this still resulted in >>> performance problems...) restored performance to pre-4GB levels. I'm >>> aware of x86 architecture not being able to utilize 4GB of memory, so >>> this isn't about that. Additional oddities include PCI Latency Timer (of >>> all things...) effecting performance and lower memory timings being more >>> stable than high... What's going on here? Is there any way to avoid >>> adding a memory limit? >>> >>> Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit) >>> Asus P4P800 with BIOS 1021.006 >>> Pentium 4 3.0E at 3.75 (250FSB) >>> Corsair PC3200 4GB (4x1) >>> GeForce 7800 GS at 520/725 >>> Audigy 2 >>> >>> >>> -- >>You could: >>Confirm that the motherboard detects all 4 gigs in the BIOS. >>Turn off silent & quick boot options in the BIOS so memory will be tested >>during boot up. >>Check the Asus website for a BIOS update. >>Run the Vista "Windows Experience Index" with 2 gigs, then 4 gigs installed >>to see if the OS confirms the problem. >>Make sure virtual memory (paging file) is still set to the recommended >>amount (it increases when you add ram) > >All very odd tests when one has yet to determine if the memory is any >good or if the mobo would accept it all. You DID notice that the OP's >problems began after installing more memory, right???? The obvious move, since problems began after the installation of new RAM sticks, would be to run Vista's Memory Diagnostic tool. Type "memory" without the quotes in the Start Menu search box and tell it to run the test on a restart. If the OP is overclocking, I would also try setting memory/cpu BIOS settings to the default.
My System Specs

11-13-2008	#7 (permalink)
Deet n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:11:28 -0800, "Victek" <Victek@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: >I would be interested to hear how you would address the issue. I answered by replying to my own post (it's way past my bed time).
My System Specs

11-13-2008	#8 (permalink)
Akumajou 8 posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't. New, related thread: Blackout On 4GB Memory Gaming
My System Specs

11-13-2008	#9 (permalink)
Richie Hardwick n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory Akumajou <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote: Quote: >All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed >Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm >using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't. You're a moron. Set everything in your BIOS to default and your problem will go away. Richie Hardwick
My System Specs

11-13-2008	#10 (permalink)
Mike Hall - MVP n/a posts	Re: Poor Performance With 4GB Memory "Akumajou" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message news:6af0ea2174d48722594857fc783ee6d8@xxxxxx-gateway.com... Quote: > > All 4GB (the 3327MB that 1021.006 BIOS detected anyway) passed > Memtest86+. My CPU is overclocked from 3.0 to 3.75 (250FSB), but I'm > using a 3:2 ratio (250FSB/3:2-DDR400) on the memory so it isn't. > > New, related thread: > Blackout On 4GB Memory Gaming > > > -- > Akumajou Your problems are self inflicted. Reset the BIOS to default.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
My System Specs

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