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Memory RAM useage query

Discussion in 'Tech Support' started by Booti, 10 Sep 2012.

  1. Booti

    Booti Member

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    My system currently has 8Gb of RAM installed but I never seem to use more than 30% of it. Seeing as some people are spec'ing systems with 16Gb+ these days, is that just complete over kill, or do I have an issue.

    I have got this 30% reading from the g15 keyboard readout and various windows gadgets, while running various programs, games, applications and even prime 95 (the test that should use loads of RAM)
    I'm running Windows 7 64bit.

    Do I have a config issue, or is it just a case that my useage doesn't require more than 4Gb???

    Cheers
     
    Booti, 10 Sep 2012
    #1
  2. faugusztin

    faugusztin I *am* the guy with two left hands

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    The rest of the RAM is used as cache, so it is not wasted (unlike Windows XP).
     
    faugusztin, 11 Sep 2012
    #2
  3. Deders

    Deders Well-Known Member

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    Only a couple of games I play have ever made me think I'm running out of ram, most games are designed to be compatible with 32 bit windows which has a 2GB limit for applications.

    If you were doing cad work, Image or video editing or something like that then more than 4GB would be advisable but generally 4 is fine.

    You can get a more detailed picture of what your ram is doing by going to the performance tab in task manager and opening Resource Monitor.

    In the memory tab, Standby is what windows is using for cache.
     
    Deders, 11 Sep 2012
    #3
  4. saspro

    saspro IT monkey

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    Booti - a lot of people over-spec their systems as RA Mis so cheap you might as well put more in that you need.
    Saying that I'm running 16GB in my MBP and regularly get down to 20MB free RAM but that's with virtual machines running and lots of apps open.
     
    saspro, 11 Sep 2012
    #4
  5. Booti

    Booti Member

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    Cheers everyone. Not looking to put more in, just wanted to make sure my system was using what it had.
    I'll double check that performance tab and go from there.
     
    Booti, 11 Sep 2012
    #5
  6. thelaw

    thelaw New Member

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    I have more then i need (16gb) because i can and it's for bragging rights as well is making me feel like my 'pen**' is bigger.
     
    thelaw, 11 Sep 2012
    #6
  7. jifbo

    jifbo New Member

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    Another (brilliant) reason to go for more RAM is to run a RamDisk. A ramdisk essentially lets you use your RAM like a standard drive in Windows but with incredible read/write speeds. Think 10x SSD speeds :D Tempted to get another 8GB for a total of 16GB and put BF3 on it for insane load times. The only downside is that RAM is volatile so you need to reload it from a HDD at every power off, but that is a small price ot pay for 10x SSD speeds.
     
    jifbo, 23 Sep 2012
    #7
  8. Booti

    Booti Member

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    Surely the amount of time taken to load the game into the RamDisk negates the advantage over just running it from the HDD or even more, and SSD.
     
    Booti, 24 Sep 2012
    #8

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