Virtual Memory settings (Page file) in Windows XP

[Rhin0]

hey guys,

I was thinking about virtual memory again today and I read this article: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

It says that for larger RAM sizes set the Virtual Memory lower, say like starting at 400mb and then set the max to around 800mb. When I initially set mine I had set it to Initial Size: 1536mb, Maximum Size: 3072mb. I have no idea where I got those numbers, actually I don't even remember setting it as that. Well right now I have a 1.5gb page file it looks like. Is this a bad thing?

System specs:

FX55
1 gig DDR400 PC3200
250gb Hitachi 7200RPM HD
Abit AV8


Please let me know what is recommended. Please, people that KNOW only. Please check out the article, let me know what you think.

BTW- my peformance is outstanding, i'm not seeing any ill effects or slowdowns. Games run great, everything is quick too.

Thanks,
Rhin0

 

[ribbon13]

I set 1024MB initial and max on all SATAs

setting it to a steady 1024mb usually works for most any desktop.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I set 1024MB initial and max on all SATAs

setting it to a steady 1024mb usually works for most any desktop.

yeah it would work fine, that isn't necessarily optimal though probably. It says in that article that you set your initial to about what your system really needs then set the max to bigger than that since it getting larger doesn't hurt anything really. They made it sound like the initial setting was more important. I'm at 1500mb initial

Thanks for your input

 

[John]

Let windows manage the pagefile.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: John
Let windows manage the pagefile.

Ok fair enough, but why? Did you read the article? It gives an explanation of why NOT to let it

 

[Navid]

There is no one solution that fits all!
The best setup depends on different factors like how much RAM you have in your system, how many hard drives you have and their speeds, what type of programs you run.

The best thing to do is to test different settings and see which one works better for you.

If you don't want to do that, the best thing to do is to leave it alone!

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Rhin0

Originally posted by: John
Let windows manage the pagefile.

Ok fair enough, but why? Did you read the article? It gives an explanation of why NOT to let it

I don't need to read that article. Throughout the years I've read so many 'articles' and it all boils down to one thing: placebo effect.

 

[Nothinman]

Ok fair enough, but why? Did you read the article? It gives an explanation of why NOT to let it

The only reason not to let it, is if you can't spare the diskspace for the numbers Windows comes up with on installation and I highly doubt that's the case on any modern box. The article also says that Windows will shrink the pagefile if it's too big, this isn't true. The pagefile can only be shrunk by a reboot but it can expand when necessary at runtime.

BTW- my peformance is outstanding, i'm not seeing any ill effects or slowdowns. Games run great, everything is quick too.

Which is a reason not to f' with it, there's virtually (no pun intended) nothing to gain from messing with those settings.

 

[Crusty]

Not again...