virtual memory

[JP_MIGRAINE]

i was wondering if anyone can help me out here, is it better to let windows handle my virual memory or should i set it manually. i have 256mb ddr ram and 40gb h.d. what would be a good setting for it to run better? what set up would you go with,auto or manual with windows? thanks..

 

[AEboy128]

I have 512 and my VM is 75 min and 110 max. For 256 you'd probably want a min of 125 min and 200-256 max. By default for 512 it had something like a 700mb VM min.

My system: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946</A>

 

[JP_MIGRAINE]

hey thanks AEBOY i am going to give that a try and see how that works... looks like you got a cool sys there...

 

[AEboy128]

Thanks, You may want to try benchmarks with different page file sizes.

My system: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by AEboy128 on 11/30/01 10:03 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[pike]

Well i read that you can put "virtual memory" to manual setting an select a different partition for it than that where Win resides. In fact if you have two drives or more, put it on a different drive than C:

Personnally have tried this but no conclusive results to report !

Danny

 

[AEboy128]

I do that with my internet temp files i changed it to another drive so it doesn't keep my drive getting fragmented. I've heard that making a min and a max the same will also get rid of fragmenting the page file.

My system: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946</A>

 

[sdausmus]

Generally, you want to set your virtual memory's minimum and maximum to 3 times the amount of your physical RAM. NTFS partitions work well with this.

 

[Toejam31]

<i>Generally</i>, the recommendation for Win2K and WinXP is a minimum paging file size of 1.5 times the amount of physically unstalled RAM, and the maximum amount twice that.

For performance, if the system has a second hard drive, the paging file should placed at the top of the partition on that drive, unless it has a slower RPM than the primary drive.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[Spdy_Gonzales]

My view is that the most important factor for the virtual file is that it have a fixed size so that it doesn't become fragmented. I don't think the location makes that much difference...so why not keep it simple and leave it on the C: drive. As for size it depends on what you do. For the typical user with 256mb memory I can see a size between 128 and 512. I myself use 128 and I can't recall the last time my system was using the swap file.

So how do you create a virtual memory file that is unfragmented and fixed in size? Go the the virtual memory setup (settings/control panel/system/performance/virtual memory) and disable the virtual memory. Ignore the MS protest and continue. After your computer restarts immediately defragment the C: drive. Then go to the virtual memory setup again and create a virtual file which has the same minimum and maximum size. Reboot, and your done.

"If it weren't for the last minute, alot of things wouldn't get done"

 

[Toejam31]

<b>"Hardware Tips: Jog Your Memory for Faster PC Performance"</b>

<A HREF="http://www.idg.net/crd_memory_718542_103.html" target="_new">http://www.idg.net/crd_memory_718542_103.html</A>

'Nuff said.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[NickM]

Just interesting to know, what is the OS you are discussing about and helped to JP_MIGRAINE with?

From this thread it looks like everything related to virtual memory equally suites to 95/98/ME/XP. And Win2K somebody mentioned. Good to know that.
Somebody mentioned the NTFS. But the original poster, JP_MIGRAINE didn’t say anything to confirm it. There's only "Windows" in his message. So, I believe it's not a Win3.x. Anyway, he’s happy now, and that’s the main thing. And I’m also happy.
Just wondering why does Microsoft put <A HREF="http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q197379" target="_new">the recomendation for NT</A> apart from Win9x?
Never mind.

 

[ycs46241]

no don't let windows run v-mem rule should be 3x amount of computer ram, some repations drives to allow seperate drive be its v-mem.

 

[Tom_Smart]

i have 1.5G of ram, do you really suggest i have a page file of 4.0G?
ps
for your info i'm using XP Pro.

Although it has a lot of good ideas, beer doesn't know anything about computers!!!

 

[btvillarin]

Not even! :lol: Just set it to something like 300MB, then use this tweak so Windows will use your RAM more than your paging file.

<A HREF="http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/399/" target="_new">Improve Core System Performance</A>

Please check out <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin/" target="_new">My Website</A> - last updated 12/4/01

 

[Tom_Smart]

thanks for tip. although i had no intention of setting up a 4.5G pagefile ever, especially as at the moment i'm using a 6.4G drive as a temp measure. i'm using my 40G drive at a friends house in order to take advantage of his broadband connection.

Although it has a lot of good ideas, beer doesn't know anything about computers!!!

 

[JP_MIGRAINE]

i am using win98 SE, and set my own vitual memory. and it seems to run alot faster.. thanks again for all your help..

 

[btvillarin]

Want even better performance? I suggest a freeware/shareware program <A HREF="http://www.outertech.com" target="_new">Cacheman 5</A>. It optimizes your cache settings to get the most out of your memory. Plus, there's a setting for Conservative Swap File Usage. (There's also a registry tweak, but this program is comprehensive.)

***I'm directing this more towards Win9x users, but it can work with all flavors of Windows***

Please check out <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin/" target="_new">My Website</A> - last updated 12/4/01