RAMDISKS

ih8modem · 4 Apr 2008 at 00:17

Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but as its to do with memory, I thought it might fit here.

If you use Windows XP or Vista 32-bit, can you put in 8GB of memory (RAM) and then configure the extra 4.5 GB that the 32-bit OS can't see as a RAMDISK for the windows pagefile etc?

Anyone done this and have some suggestions if it's beneficial or not?

Tuvoc · 5 Apr 2008 at 01:14

I think you need a commercial product to set up a RAMDisk of a decent size, e.g.
http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/ramdisk.php

But no, if you have 32-bit Windows, Windows must see the extra memory in order to be able to use it as a swap file, and well, if it can't see it, then........... that's my understanding

Minstadave · 5 Apr 2008 at 10:54

Don't think it works like that but not 100%. I don't think you can use any of the RAM above the 4GB limit at all.

wombraider · 5 Apr 2008 at 11:20

Wont work , ( I use ram disks in work to speed up file reads/writes)
The ram disk will use available memory from your system to do it thing
You will have a max of 4G in 32 xp - any video card memory that is mapped in address space.

Well Splattered · 8 Apr 2008 at 15:45

ih8modem said:
Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but as its to do with memory, I thought it might fit here.

If you use Windows XP or Vista 32-bit, can you put in 8GB of memory (RAM) and then configure the extra 4.5 GB that the 32-bit OS can't see as a RAMDISK for the windows pagefile etc?

No, Windows needs to 'see' the extra memory prior to a RAMDisk being created.

I tried win XP without success and purchased Vista 64 Ultimate to enjoy having a RAMDisk.

The choice then is too decide which of the following is better.
1) Leaving the extra RAM for windows to manage and disabling the swap file.
2) Creating a RAM Disk and using it as a Swap file.

I personally use a paid for http://www.cenatek.com/product_page_ramdisk.php and create a smaller RAM disk (4gb) for my main game.