Linux question.

[mikysee]

If I were to make the Linux partition 1gig, how big should I make the partition for the virtual memory swap file? What is that anyways?

 

[Derango]

The swap partition is what linux uses when/if it runs out of room in main memory to store stuff. Windows does the same thing. A rule of thumb is around 2x the amount of phsycial RAM that you have.

 

[mikysee]

Thanks. So if I had 512mb ram, I should make the partition 1gig?

 

[Nothinman]

2x is the best case if you have the space, since you have a decent amount of memory you could do 256M or 512M, I would do atleast 1x if you have the hard drive space.

 

[Derango]

<< 2x is the best case if you have the space, since you have a decent amount of memory you could do 256M or 512M, I would do atleast 1x if you have the hard drive space. >>



Yea, with that much memory, you're not going to touch the swap often. Oh, and if it looks like linux suddenly takes up all of your phsycial RAM...don't wory this is normal. linux Caches recently used files in RAM to speed up access. If you need the space for a program, it will save them out to disk and then remove them from RAM.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

i have 256MB ram/256MB swap, but thats because i'm short on space on this drive, and i dont really do anything that requires 512MB of memory. in your situation i'd do a 512MB swap, or if you have space to burn, 768 or a gig.