Virtual Memory in Windows - Question???

[mikeyd]

I'm tweaking a system and keep hearing different opinions as to virtual memory settings in windows. Should you let windows do its thing or set the min and max virtual memory manually?
I've heard that a good setting is 6 times your ram for both the min and the max settings. Does this sound right or am I completely off base.
Thanks.
MikeyD

 

[CQuinn]

off base... (at least as far as the 6x figure you've been told)

For the average user, the swap file should never have to go to more than double the available RAM
on the system. If it is going higher than that on a regular basis, buy more RAM!

Back when memory was more expensive, the recommended setting was for about 2.5 times the
RAM. But as system come out with more memory, or as you can upgrade fairly cheaply, the need
for virtual memory becomes less.

It was a good idea (on Windows 95) to have the same amount for min and max swap, to reduce the
overhead the OS was using to manage VM. But Windows 98 handles that a little better, and Windows
NT/2000/XP again handle it better. On those you should try to set the minimum value above where
you expect to swap on a normal basis, and leave the max open in case the system is ever pushed to the
point of needed to do heavy swapping.

You didn't say how much RAM you have, or what things you do with your system...

 

[mikeyd]

I have 512mb ram, running winXP and winME (dual boot).
I do a lot of different things from games, internet, office apps, etc...