Vista x64 RAM usage... what percentage is it actually using?

[phaxmohdem]

I've got 4GB of ram stuffed in my vista x64 rig, and I frequently get involved in some intensive multimedi adevelopment where I may have several apps from the CS3 suite open, along with multiple other RAM hungry apps (like firefox, or lightwave 3d).

When I'm in the groove, the performance meter on my sidebar states I am using ussually between 75 and 90% of my RAM, but when I open the task manager and check out that, the RAM usage reads something like:

Total: 4093
Cached: xxxx
Free: 0-4 (typically)
Physical memory: 8x%

So my question is...am I only using that 75-90 something percent, with RAM to spare, or since the free ram category is drained, does that mean I'll be hitting swap alot? I've never noticed a huge performance hit yet while heavily multi tasking, but occasionally it loses some of its snappiness.

I'm thinking of maxxing out my motherboard to 8GB if it would help.

 

[Cogman]

I don't know how the usage of ram is displayed in vista (Have yet to use it) but if I remember correctly, vista uses free ram to store application data of the applications you use the most (super-fetch) So the usage of all your ram is not an uncommon sight in vista, nor is it a bad thing.

I don't know how you would tell if you are hitting swap, If you have 4gb of ram and you see that you are using more then that in task manager, then it is safe to say that the swap is being used. If it is less then that, swap MAY be used but most likely it isn't.

 

[vaca232]

I think the performance tab of the task manager shows how much RAM is cached for Superfetch. It's not really a real indication of RAM usage since it gives up memory to you when you need it. Go by the performance meter on the sidebar, or the "Physical memory" number at the bottom of the task manager

 

[Chapbass]

Does your "cached" line actually have x's?


that line is how much superfetch is using. The free memory, if superfetch is turned on, should alwasy be very low. Cached is reserved for superfetch (well, not reserved, used...but free if your programs need it).

 

[phaxmohdem]

No it displays numbers... Just didn't have an exact figure to throw in there.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep an eye on it, but I may go ahead and purchase 8gb anyway, and just throw the 4gb that are in it now in my secondary rig.