Virtual Mem

defrag · 02-09-2001, 06:47 AM

I have 256megs of RAM and i was wondering how big my swap/page/virt mem file should be. Right now i have it at 400megs, SHould i make it more, less? Thanks

-defrag

**SubZero** · 02-09-2001, 07:25 AM

Considering you have 256MB RAM I would make your pagefile the same size. Make it a fixed pagefile (min and max the same) that way the pagefile always stays the same size which should reduce fragmentation a little.

I'm not sure if there's an absolute guideline about the size of the pagefile. I once heard you should make it 1 1/2 times the size of your internal memory. Other people just look at their system's max load and set the pagfile size according to that.

swannema · 02-09-2001, 09:25 AM

I used to set the swap file to the same value for max and min and WIN98 would still access the swap file, even then I had 512mb ram. I changed that and let Win98 manage the swap file and now it has not accessed the swap file since then.
I believe the old rule with changing the swap file was valid for the older days, when we had only 32 or even less mb ram, but has lost its importance now, with people haveing at least 128 or 256 mb.

kfc_abx · 02-12-2001, 08:04 AM

I have 256mb as well and my swap file is 768/768.

I tried other number but they all seem to work the same. I used to have the min set to 2x and the max set to 3x my memory. But i think having them both the same number at least 2x the ram is best. then defrag with norton speed disk and put the swap file to the front of the drive for best performance.

Cranorm · 02-17-2001, 09:39 AM

I got 128mb ram, and Ive set mine to 2.5 x the size (320mb)... Thats what I was told...

So I think you should do the same, but if your happy at what you got it, then leave it at that.....

Sir Skully · 02-17-2001, 06:27 PM

defrag,you could put your swap file on a small partition. Set max 750, min 750.

midnight-hacker · 02-25-2001, 08:43 AM

Set the swap file as the same size of your memory X 1.5.
Best setup is to keep the minimum and maximum the same size.
If you have multiple HARD DISKS (not partitions on the same disk), then set up a swap file on each of the hard disks (the most used partition of each physical hard disk) and set all the swap file sizes to the exact same size. Win2K will then alternate the writes to the multiple hard disks. Do NOT set the swap files to a lesser used partition.
Can you use a smaller size? Most likely. Win2K has much better memory management than Win9x.

kemp · 02-25-2001, 12:14 PM

Under Win2K, if you have 256 MB of RAM, you probably
only need 256 MB of swapfile space. Unless you have
your computer set to full dump in case of crash mode,
any more would be a waste.

02-09-2001, 06:47 AM	#1
defrag l33t h4x0r Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 100	I have 256megs of RAM and i was wondering how big my swap/page/virt mem file should be. Right now i have it at 400megs, SHould i make it more, less? Thanks -defrag __________________ pIII 700E@1.1ghz 157FSB 256meg Crucial PC133 3,2,2 Win2000 SP2
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02-09-2001, 07:25 AM	#2
SubZero Moderator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Below sealevel Posts: 9,665	Considering you have 256MB RAM I would make your pagefile the same size. Make it a fixed pagefile (min and max the same) that way the pagefile always stays the same size which should reduce fragmentation a little. I'm not sure if there's an absolute guideline about the size of the pagefile. I once heard you should make it 1 1/2 times the size of your internal memory. Other people just look at their system's max load and set the pagfile size according to that. __________________ Main Rig: Asus P5K \| Intel Core Quad Q6600 \| Corsair XMS 6400-4gig eVGA GeForce 8800 GTX KO ACS3 \| X-Fi ExtremeMusic \| Z-5500D OCZ GameXstream 850W \| ThermalTake Aguila \| Logitech G-15 Logitech MX1000 \| Synology DS-207+ NAS (2x500WD-SATA2-RAID0)
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02-09-2001, 09:25 AM	#3
swannema ???????????????? Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 9,629	I used to set the swap file to the same value for max and min and WIN98 would still access the swap file, even then I had 512mb ram. I changed that and let Win98 manage the swap file and now it has not accessed the swap file since then. I believe the old rule with changing the swap file was valid for the older days, when we had only 32 or even less mb ram, but has lost its importance now, with people haveing at least 128 or 256 mb.
(Offline)

02-12-2001, 08:04 AM	#4
kfc_abx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 57	I have 256mb as well and my swap file is 768/768. I tried other number but they all seem to work the same. I used to have the min set to 2x and the max set to 3x my memory. But i think having them both the same number at least 2x the ram is best. then defrag with norton speed disk and put the swap file to the front of the drive for best performance. __________________ -= LANmaniac =- www.LANmaniac.com 24hr SoCal Gigabit LAN Party
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02-17-2001, 09:39 AM	#5
Cranorm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: England Posts: 43	I got 128mb ram, and Ive set mine to 2.5 x the size (320mb)... Thats what I was told... So I think you should do the same, but if your happy at what you got it, then leave it at that.....
(Offline)

02-17-2001, 06:27 PM	#6
Sir Skully ABX KNIGHT EXEMPLAR Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA-GA Posts: 26,209	defrag,you could put your swap file on a small partition. Set max 750, min 750. __________________ .....................................................................................................................
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02-25-2001, 08:43 AM	#7
midnight-hacker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 53	Set the swap file as the same size of your memory X 1.5. Best setup is to keep the minimum and maximum the same size. If you have multiple HARD DISKS (not partitions on the same disk), then set up a swap file on each of the hard disks (the most used partition of each physical hard disk) and set all the swap file sizes to the exact same size. Win2K will then alternate the writes to the multiple hard disks. Do NOT set the swap files to a lesser used partition. Can you use a smaller size? Most likely. Win2K has much better memory management than Win9x.
(Offline)

02-25-2001, 12:14 PM	#8
kemp Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 30	Under Win2K, if you have 256 MB of RAM, you probably only need 256 MB of swapfile space. Unless you have your computer set to full dump in case of crash mode, any more would be a waste.
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