rule of thumb for how much RAM should be available to Windows?

ThePiston

Senior member
Nov 14, 2004
861
0
76
What's your rule of thumb for how much RAM should be available to Windows under a normal daily load? In other words, at 5pm when you have all of your browser tabs open, all of your other programs running, and you open Task Manager, what should you see in the RAM usage to be comfortable that you have enough ram? <50%?
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,380
146
What's your rule of thumb for how much RAM should be available to Windows under a normal daily load?

RAM amount > Usage (More than you are actually using with any given task).

There is really no other "rule" out there. As long as you don't exceed the amount you have installed, there are really no other concerns.
 

ThePiston

Senior member
Nov 14, 2004
861
0
76
If things are running smoothly, 0% is fine with me.
At X% you start using swap drive. I've seen this happen though with my RAM usage well below 80% so there must be a point where Windows starts to use swap and it doesn't seem to be exactly at the moment when available RAM hits zero.
 
Last edited:

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,545
236
106
Depends on the OS. If you are on 7, 100% can be cause for alarm. In Windows 10, not so much (unless you just booted up).