Virtual Memory?

Question

I have 768 MBs of RAM what should i set my max and intial virtual memory to?

Answer 1

Usually running out of virtual memory means that you are running too many applications at the same time for your system or one of them is attempting to use too much memory.



Increasing virtual memory is one way of compensating for lack of RAM. However, it's optimum should be set at 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your computer. Virtual memory can be increased, but it comes with a risk if you increase it too much as it can eventually lead to hard drive damage.



To increase VM on Windows XP (should be in similar locations for other versions) look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory.



You can see if your computer can handle more RAM at http://www.crucial.com/index.asp



It's important to note that everything takes RAM. Not only security products (such as active anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall) eat up memory but your operating system, active browser windows, running applications (such as Word, Gaming, Messenger, Photoshop, etc) and malware all compete for system resources. The presence of Malware (viruses, spyware, etc) will particularly eat up your system resources so you may want to run your resident security products such as antispyware and antivirus applications to ensure that your system is clean.

Answer 2

Setting the Virtual Memory is not recommended. I would leave it alone. If you using a Graphics or a CAD program which requires more memory you can set it. 1.5 GB to 3 GB as long as you have that much free hard drive space.

Answer 3

The minimum should be the total size of your RAM. The maximum should be the size you determined to dedicate for virtual memory. There are no given formulas here.



enjoy your computer.

Answer 4

let windows handle it, by default it uses 1.5 times phsysical memory. So if you have 512 megs physical, your page file will be 768 virtual memory

Answer 5

Let Windows manage it, it is better that way. It would probably allocate 512 MBs default on XP, 1024 MB on Vista. If it needs more, it will grow itself.