Virtual Memory Settings In Win98?

[JAWS]

What is the correct way to change your virtual memory settings? Is there some kind of equation? I think I read somewhere it was 1x or 1.5x the amount of ram installed in the computer. If I specify my own memory settings, will there be any performance gain?

[Jon]

I find the best setting for my systems to typically be 384MIN 384MAX when having 256MB, or less, of physical memory on board.

I lessen my pagefile size as I increase the amount of physical memory due to the fact I receive far less pages.

I made my own little settings listing for this a long time ago.

64MB use 64 X 6 for 384MB
128MB use 128 X 3 for 384MB
256MB use 256 X 1.5 for 384 MB
512MB use 512 X 0.5 for 256MB

I've found a 384MB pagefile plenty for all applications I've ever used (C++ compilers, Visual Studio, games out the ass) on a variety of systems. When you get up to around 512MB of memory and above, you can start decreasing that pagefile.

I wouldn't count on much, if any NOTICEABLE performance gain. The only real thing this does is keep your pagefile from resizing itself which can bog your system down a little when using memory intensive programs. Performance gains were most noticeable in older systems. With today's faster drives, better memory and CPU powerhouses, they go somewhat less noticeable.

So, basically what you're wanting to do is make a static pagefile. One that is a certain size and stays a certain size so you don't have Windos trying to make it bigger or smaller on you. This relieves some system overhead.

[o770]

id recommend u to read this article: http://www.rojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/Swapfile_Optimization/Swapfile_Optimization_01.htm
any formulas other than to monitor how much virtual memory your system needs to run multi-task processes cannot be too precise - for your own system. youll notice W98 users should monitor it to find the best setting. good luck.

[JAWS]

I find the best setting for my systems to typically be 384MIN 384MAX when having 256MB, or less, of physical memory on board.

So is that what I insert in the min/max sections? (384min/384/max) Thanks for the replies!

[Monaco]

The easy way to find out is to put it back to default values. Then, you bust out your System Monitor and set it to start logging your swapfile in-use size. Do that for a week or so, making sure you observe normal computer usage habits.

After doing this, pop that log open and see what the largest value for your swapfile was. Then set you min/max swapfile size to that value. Just be sure the monitor isn't set to log every 5 seconds or it'll take you all day to read it!:D

Boom, done. Your system now has all the virtual memory it is likely to ever need.

[13oots2]

Originally posted by Jon


So, basically what you're wanting to do is make a static pagefile. One that is a certain size and stays a certain size so you don't have Windos trying to make it bigger or smaller on you. This relieves some system overhead.

I would also add to this that that hard drive will become less fragmented. This will in itself speed up the access and reduce the amount of times it is nesseary to defragment. This only applies if the pagefile is on the same disk\partition as other files.
It is not a good idea performance wise to setup a separate partition for the page file with a single hardrive. If you have two hardrives, setup a partition on the faster of the two drives, preferably not on the same drive as the OS.

[Mick]

when defraging make your swap file as small as possable eg 20mb as windows defrager dose not defrag the swap file