Where's that 8gb vs 4gb vs 2gb review?

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bledd

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Can't remember who did it now, was anandtech or bit-tech or someone like that..

Basically they showed the benefits of having 8gb (in graphs etc too)

Saw a link to it on ocuk somewhere, just searched, but can't find it (can't use history either, on another machine)
 
Greenlizard0 said:
That does seem rather daft...

odd question though - if I have 4GB of RAM does that mean my page file should be no larger than 4GB too?
Click to expand...

your pagefile should never be smaller than your physical ram, if it is windows has a hissy-fit.

i've set my pagefile to 4096, same as my ram. i don't see any point in having it bigger.
 
Windows Default is 1.5x Physical Memory (upto a point then its a set amount).

Since XP, it manages it fine, waste of time messing with it for no or little gain.
 
helmutcheese said:
Windows Default is 1.5x Physical Memory (upto a point then its a set amount).

Since XP, it manages it fine, waste of time messing with it for no or little gain.
Click to expand...

thats not strictly true, i've been told that setting the pagefile to a constant size reduces fragmentation.
 
Take it up with MS and Bill Gates cause thats a FACT, no matter what you have been told.

Even on 4GB (does not set to 1.5x as I mentioned above about limit), it will still however REC you set to 1.5x.


79673285xo3.jpg


If I am on 2GB and leave Top Box Checked it will give me 1.5x that for a Page File.

Since Im on 4GB it limits it, but look at the Windows REC Size, I have manually set it to that.


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314482


" The default paging file size is equal to 1.5 times the total RAM. However, this default configuration may not be optimal in all cases ".
 
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I think Aod was referring more to your point thats theres little reason not to allow XP to look after the pagefile.

Theres a good reason to attempt to keep it a constant size since it wont fragment as badly if it was left dynamically and will generally will be located at the outer edges if you set it up as part of a fresh win install (which are the fastest parts of the HD)...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
You sure, not the way I read his post cause if thats true then in most cases it will be 1.5x the Memory. ;)

Its not even his own opinion, someome told him so.

Since when is 1.5x the Memory not static, unless you change your Memory from 2GB to 4GB ?. :confused:

If you read most reviews over the years, they claim there is little to be gained by messing with it, simply leave it alone.

I wasted 1 week years back trying all sorts and in the end up I agreed the sites were right.
 
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Its pretty easy to understand really - MS recommend to leave XP to manage the pagefile which it will do, as a default, by creating a pagefile of a particular size which dynamically resizes upto 1.5x your memory dependent on system load. As with any file size change this will introduce fragmentation, especially when the pagefile remains within the OS partition...

Considering your screenshots earlier even though you are creating a pagefile of 1.5x your memory, it is actually a static pagefile of a custom size that the user has setup and so therefore is not being managed by XP (as if you had ticked the system managed size option).

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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Thats only because I am on 4GB and it wont set to 1.5x, if I was on 2GB it would.

I have stated twice it wont set to 1.5x in all cases and that Check Box uptop was not there is XP an Im sure only appeared in Vista due to one of later SP1 builds. (cant be 100%). :)
 
Still confused why you dont get this :confused: - no one is denying that MS advise to setup the page file to 1.5x your memory, its just that Windows left to its own devices (as per a system managed choice) will setup a dynamic pagefile...

What you are forced to do in the screenshots above due to a Windows glitch isnt representative of what Windows does when it manages the pagefile...

MS KB308417 said:
To have Windows select the best paging file size, click System managed size. The recommended minimum size is equivalent to 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size. For example, if you have 256 MB of RAM, the minimum size is 384 MB, and the maximum size is 1152 MB.
Click to expand...
Im not on Vista, but can confirm the first check box isnt in XP...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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It sets aside 1.5x the size, it dont shrink/grow.

Same as the Recycle Bin is set to say 10%, thats 10% gone you dont get to use even if Bin is empty.

The XXXXMB will be set aside for when it need to be filled with DATA.

You are saying the opposite of nearly every good review on it from years back till now.

I do understand how Windows works more than most you know but no expert by far.
 
OK - quick logic question - after a fresh install of Windows, the pagefile is, as a default, managed by Windows (i.e. system managed size is ticked which prevents any ability to define the size of the pagefile).

During a memory-intensive task in this situation if you do run out of virtual memory - windows announces in a balloon prompt that it has automatically resized the pagefile to assist. If as you advise above windows management was strictly static then windows wouldnt have this ability - ergo it dynamically manages the size of the pagefile, therefore this can cause fragmentation of the pagefile (why else do you think most decent defraggers have the option to defrag the pagefile as a seperate task?!? If windows sets aside a static file as a default this option would never be needed).

All the previous statements above and what the majority of sites say regards pagefiles points towards the user defining the pagefile and not leaving windows to 'defaulty' manage it. Your point in that 'Since XP, it manages it fine, waste of time messing with it for no or little gain.' is inaccurate at best as far as Im concerned...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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I only once hit that wall with F.E.A.R at launch and 1GB Memory with 1.5GB pagefile, never seen msg but was on the limit.

Bought 2GB Memory with 3GB pagefile, sorted.

Now on Vista running 4GB with 6GB page file, aint gonna happen. :)

Lets reword it, the reviews all agree 1.5x the Memory is best and thats (in most cases) is Windows default, then simply do as I do and set MIN and MAX to the REC size, reboot and it cant change as its static.

Its still running the default REC of 1.5x ;)

My arguement all along and in previous threads is setting it to 1x or 2x or 5x is as waste of time.
 
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That still doesnt mean Windows wasnt trying to resize the pagefile ;)

A 6GB pagefile might sound big, but when you are working with massive spreadsheets (especially since Office 2007)/databases/creativity software that can still be eaten :(...

EDIT: Just saw your edit...

I agree that the reviews and MS advise that the recommended pagefile size is just a function of 1.5x your system RAM (which in all honesty is a cover all bases tactic), its just that figure isnt automatically translated into how windows actually manages the pagefile. This also means that leaving windows to manage your pagefile isnt the best option and that a user defined static pagefile is probably better. When you go into things like what partition its on and how quickly you build it after a fresh install and if your should leave room for it to grow for extraordinary situations you get to the point where you really arent going to see any real tangible benefits and really should go outside...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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So if you had 8GB of RAM and didn't do much in the way of extremely memory intensive stuff (I'm counting games as not in this category, since 8GB is considerably more than any game needs, to my knowledge!), then you could do away with the page file completely?

Or is that not how it works?

Roo
 
Nope windows/apps requires and expects a pagefile for normal operation (i.e. when it crashes it needs xMb just to do memory dumps and the like; apps like to assign RAM and pagefile as a scratchpad when they load up - creative apps usually assign themselves a large chunk)

Definitely need some form of pagefile whatever amount of RAM you have...

Claimed btw ;)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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