Optimal Virtual Memory size settings?

[Despotes]

What is the recommended size for the virtual memory setting, apart from letting Windows control it? Mine is set at 350/350 and all seems well. Is there a preferred setting for Win98SE, 512megRAM with a system used mostly for gaming?
Thanks

[flounder43]

Just don't let windows control it. Set it to a static number. With 512, I don't think you need much, 256 or so should be MORE than enough.

[Despotes]

Originally posted by flounder43
Just don't let windows control it. Set it to a static number. With 512, I don't think you need much, 256 or so should be MORE than enough.

RTCW recommends at least 300...

When I used Norton's Optimization Wizard, it set it to 510/510 which is quite large in my opinion. It also reduced my 3DM2k1 score. Anyways, I set it back to 350/350.

[flounder43]

Originally posted by Despotes


RTCW recommends at least 300...

With 512? Holy moly! Oh well, set it to 512, what can it hurt, HD's are cheap.

[Despotes]

Yeah , HOLY MOLY is what I thought! :eek:

[Arkaine23]

The idea is to set it to a fixed number so that windows doesn't have to "think" and constantly adjust the size. The more memory you have the less you'll need to use for virtual memory. I have 256 MB so I set my virtual memory at 350/350. No problems so far, and I could probably set it a lot lower. Ideally, you could have the virtual memory in it's own partition on the leading edge of your hard drive.

[dropadrop]

Hi!

I've found that an amount double your ram is usually good...

[lennytiger]

normally i multiply the system RAM by 2.5 for example 128x2.5=virtual memory in windows! ;)

[Maximus Nickus]

Turn VM off if you have 512MB ram or more.

SEE THE SPEED WOW!!!

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by nick_cw
Turn VM off if you have 512MB ram or more.

SEE THE SPEED WOW!!!

Is it really noticable? I'm gonna have to have to do that.

[JigPu]

Originally posted by Wa11y


Is it really noticable? I'm gonna have to have to do that.
My friend Jeremy has 384MB of RAM, and when he switched it off, he said he noticed a big speed diffrence. I tried it on my wimpy 192MB system (I rarely if EVER dip into virtual memory), but never really saw any increase.

Try it! It can't do much harm.... I think :D
JigPu

[Despotes]

Well, I tried it and got a BSOD starting up RTCW and my system froze.:eek: There was no change in 3DM2k1. I'll stick with 350/350 ;)

[Maximus Nickus]

You have to have over 512MB Ram to do this else it won't work but it is much faster as it just uses your RAM.

Also having over 512MB Ram the operating system loads its kernal into the memory which again speeds it up.


Nick

[Despotes]

"Turn VM off if you have 512MB ram or more. "

So I need over 512MB not "512MB ram or more"?? (I have 512MB)
;)

[MoPMatrix]

I have 512mb of mem and VM is set to 512MB,, maybe I should try lowering it :P
I do alot of file sharing and moving/burning hugh files, and if I leave my comp on all night d/ln movies when I get on it in the morning everything is really slow and it like takes a min to get back up to speed, or could that be a mem hole in the file sharing program?

[Maximus Nickus]

Originally posted by Despotes
"Turn VM off if you have 512MB ram or more. "

So I need over 512MB not "512MB ram or more"?? (I have 512MB)
;)

If you have 512MB (or more) then turn it off off off!!! See the speed!!!

[MadMan007]

You should also scandisk & defrag your drive before setting the VM to a static size.

Ideally, you could have the virtual memory in it's own partition on the leading edge of your hard drive.

Is it possible to set the drive letter which Winblows uses for the VM (pagefile)? I do not see this option in the memory settings...what version of Windows are you able to do this with. AFAIK Windows puts the page file in the same logical drive as the OS install, but maybe that is just WIN98. Are you using XP to give you the option for which drive to use?

[lennytiger]

Pagefile= Windows 2k/NT/XP

Virtual Memory=Win9x/Me/3.1

Virtual Memory=Pagefile
They are the same....

[Maximus Nickus]

AFAIK????

You just change which folder it uses, say creat a VM folder on E: then change it from C:\Windows\Temp to E:\Vm and etc.

Even Windows 95 allows this.

[Despotes]

Originally posted by nick_cw


If you have 512MB (or more) then turn it off off off!!! See the speed!!!

Like I said, I have 512MB of ram and I got a BSOD and it froze loading RTCW:)

[Maximus Nickus]

I've never had problems, but Windows is a pain.

Like they say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

You could try different memory settings or maybe your FSB is to high but its probably not worth the hassle.

What version of Windows are you using? I found XP to be much more stable with faster settings.

[Despotes]

"I've never had problems, but Windows is a pain.

Like they say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

You could try different memory settings or maybe your FSB is to high but its probably not worth the hassle.

What version of Windows are you using? I found XP to be much more stable with faster settings."

Originally posted by Despotes
What is the recommended size for the virtual memory setting, apart from letting Windows control it? Mine is set at 350/350 and all seems well. Is there a preferred setting for Win98SE, 512megRAM with a system used mostly for gaming?
Thanks



:D

[Masako]

I have 512 megs of ram and a 10.2 gig HD.. What size do you guys suggest I set the swap file to?

[Maximus Nickus]

OK, LAST TIME:

If you have 512MB Ram OR MORE NOT LESS BUT MORE then TURN THE SWAP FILE OFF, 99% of cases makes it a lot faster.


Engage brain before mouth.:p

[Despotes]

Originally posted by nick_cw
OK, LAST TIME:

If you have 512MB Ram OR MORE NOT LESS BUT MORE then TURN THE SWAP FILE OFF, 99% of cases makes it a lot faster.


Engage brain before mouth.:p

...and 1%?? of the time it will freeze your system upon starting a game, if you have 512MB...:D

Here's a good read about the Swapfile:

http://web.archive.org/web/20011024091844/www.rojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/Swapfile_Optimization/Swapfile_Optimization_01.htm

[Maximus Nickus]

I've never had problems but hey, maybe i'm lucky:D

(Which i'm not, i've had over 20 RMA's!!!! Everthing except CPU!!!)

Bout time I get some!:beer:

[WyrmMaster]

Originally posted by nick_cw
I've never had problems but hey, maybe i'm lucky:D

(Which i'm not, i've had over 20 RMA's!!!! Everthing except CPU!!!)

Bout time I get some!:beer:


Very nice, but does anyone know of a free program that can move the swap file like he talks about. Iv looked for trial versions of norton speed disk and the Mcafee program, no luck. Any ideas.

[Placid]

To move the swap file to a different drive just choose a different drive in the virtual memory settings in windows.

If you mean move the swap file to front of the drive norton speed disk does this but only with some versions of windows.

Its really not that important you just don't want the swap file fragmented.

You can also try disk keeper it's supposed to be good.
I have never tried it myself.


http://www.diskeeper.com/

[WyrmMaster]

Thanks, il give it a try.

[Maximus Nickus]

I already posted that!!!

Oh well, anyone else who wants to do this just read it all carefully!

[WyrmMaster]

Sorry nick, i quoted the wrong post, i ment to quote yourse.

[Maximus Nickus]

Actually read this Here (http://www.hexus.net/columns2.php?date=Thu%20Jan%2025%202001%2022:04:55 %20GMT&author=Davey) I did some digging and found it.

Great guide on how to optimize your RAM.

Although I always find that NO swap file is better.

[o770]

im sorry im going to be a bit rude and ive not readed all the thread but i see many ppl suggesting different sizes for the page file everytime a question like this one comes up. this is not right. we know its about using games here but what games and which settings, how much will the game settings demand of the system? will the games run after the system resources r all almost dead? the proper answer should always be: start monitoring your page file and find out how much your system needs. this way youll get the right size. with that system i dont beleive youll ever need more than 100MB. but who knows?

[Maximus Nickus]

Read the thread!:rolleyes:

[o770]

Originally posted by nick_cw
Read the thread!:rolleyes:

thanks, good to know i was not plagiarizing anyone.