Best settings for pagefile, system cache?

[JM7]

I have a Tablet PC Toshiba P3 1.3 with 512Mb RAM (upgraded ever since I
noticed that the disk was always being accessed after virtual mem messages).
Running WIN XP PRO

What is the best settings for performance and low disk access for the
PAGEFIEL and system CAche?

Thanks,

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi John,

What's "best" depends on your usage. After the memory increase, are you
still seeing lots of swapping going on? Or are you just concerned about
there being a large pagefile? By default the system creates a pagefile of
one and one-half times the ram size at startup, this is so there is a place
for a memory dump in case of system failure.

High performance is most easily obtained by running only the programs you
need, uninstalling those you don't, removing any spyware, defragging as
needed, and generally just being aware of the health of your system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

You might want to read this as well:

HOW TO: Set Performance Options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308417

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

Hi John,

What's "best" depends on your usage. After the memory increase, are you
still seeing lots of swapping going on? Or are you just concerned about
there being a large pagefile? By default the system creates a pagefile of
one and one-half times the ram size at startup, this is so there is a place
for a memory dump in case of system failure.

High performance is most easily obtained by running only the programs you
need, uninstalling those you don't, removing any spyware, defragging as
needed, and generally just being aware of the health of your system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a Tablet PC Toshiba P3 1.3 with 512Mb RAM (upgraded ever since I
noticed that the disk was always being accessed after virtual mem messages).
Running WIN XP PRO

What is the best settings for performance and low disk access for the
PAGEFIEL and system CAche?

You should not need very much pagefile as an initial amount at that size
RAM, but should have a plenty big Max size. I'd start with 100 Initial;
800 Max and get the monitor tool that is linked from the 'How big a page
file' section at www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm to see how much actual
file usage there is being. Adjust the Initial setting up in the light
of any larger use being shown

You can't do much on cache - what the system will do is use any spare
physical RAM for cache, dropping things instantly (down to a base size)
if better things come along. Which is about the best course anyway. I
would have the settings at Control Panel - System - Advanced -
Performance Settings - Advanced - Virtual Memory both set to favor
Programs rather than cache or background