ok i got a Gigabyte mobo. MODEL # GA-K8VM800M . i recently installed a 1GB stick of ram, looked up EXACTLY what i needed and got it. after i installed the stick, my comp only says it has 512MB. i got this from the site i bought it from.

3) Why the MEMORY only shows 512MB or less?

a) It shows only a PORTION of the memory such as 512mb or 256MB because your motherboard cannot support High Density memory 128x4. Some of the Bios can only take 8 bits at a time and high density memory is 4 bits application. That's why it only show half of the memory. It is normally recommended for VIA and SIS chipsets used motherboards.

Now does that mean its only opperating at 512 instead of the 1GB claimed on my comp? or just says 512 but is using it all? i did notice an improvement afte installing it.Try a different slot.

Is this new RAM? Have you diagnosed it?ok so i got a high density stick of ra, when i think i needed low density.

comp says it only has 512 mb ram, but its a 1Gb stick. does that mean its only running off 512?
cause after install it seemed as if it worked better than my 512 i had in there before.

and ya its brand newComputer+incorrect RAM=Don't work + no surprise