Virtual Memory settings

Shane-O · 05-24-2007, 12:22 AM

Was having a problem with my laptop, and messed with the virtual memory settings. I now have it set to priorty for system cache, instead of program priority. Computer runs much better and fixed the problem I had. I set the virtual memory to the highest allowed setting, 4092 or something like that.

My question is, is that all ok? I know that it may be working well now, but Murphy is a permanent resident at my house.......................

Thanks!

OldGadget · 05-24-2007, 12:35 AM

How fast is the machine? How much RAM is installed? And what do you use it for?

Regards

Eric

Shane-O · 05-24-2007, 12:56 AM

2.8 Celeron
512 ram (need more I know)
Shared memory

I use it for everything basicly, was having a problem running Winamp with a CDG plug in, for Karaoke. It wouldnt run the word graphics right. Works great for the Karaoke now. I am gonna be building a dedicated computer for Dj'ing in the near future.

Wycke · 05-24-2007, 08:53 AM

Shouldn't hurt anything. You can allocate as much space for VM as you want, as long as you don't exceed the available disk space. Also, regardless of what you specify as the minimum, Windows will use what it wants to use. XP's implementation is better than previous versions (esp. 9x/ME) but still kind of flaky.

PS: yes, you need more memory. It's cheap enough, and all the virtual memory in the world won't improve a system's performance as much as a good chunk of real memory. To make an analogy to the world of cars, VM is like a chintzy bolt-on while adding real memory is like stroking a motor or replacing it with a larger engine ("There's no replacement for cubic inches").

Azzy · 05-24-2007, 10:15 AM

Get at least 512 more RAM, and pagefile settings should be like this -

Lowest (RAM MB +1)
Highest ~ 2gb or more if you have 2GB RAM (my page file here at work is 4gb and has a mostly dedicated drive.

Wycke · 05-24-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzy

(my page file here at work is 4gb and has a mostly dedicated drive.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. If you can use a separate physical disk on a separate controller or channel for VM, you'll see a slight performance increase. If it's a fast disk (Ultra SCSI or SATA-300) the increase will be lightly more than slight, but if you just throw an old 4 GB IDE drive in there, the increase will be pretty minimal.

OldGadget · 05-24-2007, 03:06 PM

I avoid letting windows size the VM .. set it big and make min and max match ... Seems to avoid some of the time spend growing and shrinking .. I do the same with Java VM's

Lrrpie-CT · 05-24-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzy

Get at least 512 more RAM, and pagefile settings should be like this -

Lowest (RAM MB +1)
Highest ~ 2gb or more if you have 2GB RAM (my page file here at work is 4gb and has a mostly dedicated drive.

Come one Azzy! It's a freakin' Celery! Like lipstick on a pig...

(No offense Shane!)

Azzy · 05-24-2007, 04:02 PM

Im just saying.. you never know when an upgrade will come along

Its best to set a good size page file, that way it starts out as one piece and doesnt end up fragmented all over the drive, leading to higher seek times.

Shane-O · 05-25-2007, 11:41 AM

Thanks a bunch guys. Since I started DJ'ing, I am needing to build a dedicated computer just for that, which is happening this year sometime. When I build it it will be plenty overkill for what I need. anyone know where to buy a rack mount case to build one? I have a DJ rack that I would like to mount it in. Also I have an older 10gb hard drive, when I build the new machine, I planned on using it for OS and the few programs I need for DJ'ing. And then adding a 500gb or so for music storage, would that be optimum? That way I can keep everything seperate, and also keep a backup OS on the second disk in case of failure.

Thanks again!

Shane-O

p.s. Lrrpie-CT: no offense taken, this machine was bought for general messing around, not serious work. I hadnt intended on using it for DJ'ing until I seen how much easier it is to DJ with a computer, and it dows great for that, until I wanted to do Karaoke................

05-24-2007, 12:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shane-O Needs new knees Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis	Virtual Memory settings Was having a problem with my laptop, and messed with the virtual memory settings. I now have it set to priorty for system cache, instead of program priority. Computer runs much better and fixed the problem I had. I set the virtual memory to the highest allowed setting, 4092 or something like that. My question is, is that all ok? I know that it may be working well now, but Murphy is a permanent resident at my house....................... Thanks!

05-24-2007, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Wycke Supernatural Anaesthetist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Plaines of Celestia	Shouldn't hurt anything. You can allocate as much space for VM as you want, as long as you don't exceed the available disk space. Also, regardless of what you specify as the minimum, Windows will use what it wants to use. XP's implementation is better than previous versions (esp. 9x/ME) but still kind of flaky. PS: yes, you need more memory. It's cheap enough, and all the virtual memory in the world won't improve a system's performance as much as a good chunk of real memory. To make an analogy to the world of cars, VM is like a chintzy bolt-on while adding real memory is like stroking a motor or replacing it with a larger engine ("There's no replacement for cubic inches"). __________________ Porch Monkey 4 Life! s'ok...I'm takin' it back... My Feedback Thread

05-24-2007, 10:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Azzy Passing through rider Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Finleyville, PA	Get at least 512 more RAM, and pagefile settings should be like this - Lowest (RAM MB +1) Highest ~ 2gb or more if you have 2GB RAM (my page file here at work is 4gb and has a mostly dedicated drive. __________________ Bryan "Azzy" Spiegel Riverside Renegade Paintball / C.C. S.V.S. Plankowner - LPPC#6 "It is my right to be uncommonâ€”if I can. I seek opportunityâ€”not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.... â€ - Dean Alfange

05-24-2007, 04:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Azzy Passing through rider Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Finleyville, PA	Im just saying.. you never know when an upgrade will come along Its best to set a good size page file, that way it starts out as one piece and doesnt end up fragmented all over the drive, leading to higher seek times. __________________ Bryan "Azzy" Spiegel Riverside Renegade Paintball / C.C. S.V.S. Plankowner - LPPC#6 "It is my right to be uncommonâ€”if I can. I seek opportunityâ€”not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.... â€ - Dean Alfange

05-24-2007, 12:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shane-O Needs new knees Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis	2.8 Celeron 512 ram (need more I know) Shared memory I use it for everything basicly, was having a problem running Winamp with a CDG plug in, for Karaoke. It wouldnt run the word graphics right. Works great for the Karaoke now. I am gonna be building a dedicated computer for Dj'ing in the near future.

05-25-2007, 11:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shane-O Needs new knees Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis	Thanks a bunch guys. Since I started DJ'ing, I am needing to build a dedicated computer just for that, which is happening this year sometime. When I build it it will be plenty overkill for what I need. anyone know where to buy a rack mount case to build one? I have a DJ rack that I would like to mount it in. Also I have an older 10gb hard drive, when I build the new machine, I planned on using it for OS and the few programs I need for DJ'ing. And then adding a 500gb or so for music storage, would that be optimum? That way I can keep everything seperate, and also keep a backup OS on the second disk in case of failure. Thanks again! Shane-O p.s. Lrrpie-CT: no offense taken, this machine was bought for general messing around, not serious work. I hadnt intended on using it for DJ'ing until I seen how much easier it is to DJ with a computer, and it dows great for that, until I wanted to do Karaoke................