Free Memory Minimum

  • Thread starter Thread starter John R
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John R said:
Is there a minimum value for free memory ?
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Not particularly. If you run out, Windows just uses a data (swap) file.
If you have more memory, Windows runs more efficiently.

Windows XP runs with 128 MB RAM. At least 256 MB is recommended. If you
play games or do anything intense (editing graphics?) at least 512 MB is
recommended.
Windows Vista runs with 512 MB RAM. They recommend at least 1 GB. For best
performance, you'll want at least 2 GB.
 
I have it on good authority that "John R said:
Is there a minimum value for free memory ?
Click to expand...

Not really clear what you are asking here.

512 mb+ ram is usually recommended minimum for XP SP2 nowadays, and if you
run alot of applications at the same time then you'll require more.

But if I've got the wrong end of the (memory) stick then let us know.
 
Is there a minimum value for free memory ?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you are asking. XP tries very hard to find a use for all
memory, so trying to maximize free memory is pointless. Memory is allocated
dynamically to the programs/processes that need it. Don't bother with any
of those programs that purport to free up memory. They are a scam.

If this doesn't answer your question, post back with more specifics.
 
John said:
Is there a minimum value for free memory ?
Click to expand...


This is a confusing question. Is that the question that you meant to ask?
Free memory is memory that is not being used for anything. There normally is
*no* free memory or very little free memory. Wanting to minimize the amount
of memory Windows uses is a counterproductive desire. Windows is designed to
use all, or nearly all, of your memory, all the time, and that's good not
bad. Free memory is wasted memory. You paid for it all and shouldn't want to
see any of it wasted.

Windows works hard to find a use for all the memory you have all the time.
For example if your apps don't need some of it, it will use that part for
caching, then give it back when your apps later need it. In this way Windows
keeps all your memory working for you all the time.

Perhaps you meant to ask if there is a minimum amount of memory (RAM) that
is required for Windows to run. If so, the official minimum is 64MB, but
that's much too little for anything approaching acceptable performance. How
much memory you need for decent performance is *not* a one-size-fits-all
situation. You get good performance if the amount of RAM you have keeps you
from using the page file, and that depends on what apps you run. Most people
running a typical range of business applications find that somewhere around
256-384MB works well, others need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor
performance with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing
things like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost
by adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.
 
Thanks for the info. Will install a larger chip.
Ken Blake said:
This is a confusing question. Is that the question that you meant to ask?
Free memory is memory that is not being used for anything. There normally
is *no* free memory or very little free memory. Wanting to minimize the
amount of memory Windows uses is a counterproductive desire. Windows is
designed to use all, or nearly all, of your memory, all the time, and
that's good not bad. Free memory is wasted memory. You paid for it all and
shouldn't want to see any of it wasted.

Windows works hard to find a use for all the memory you have all the time.
For example if your apps don't need some of it, it will use that part for
caching, then give it back when your apps later need it. In this way
Windows keeps all your memory working for you all the time.

Perhaps you meant to ask if there is a minimum amount of memory (RAM) that
is required for Windows to run. If so, the official minimum is 64MB, but
that's much too little for anything approaching acceptable performance.
How much memory you need for decent performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of RAM
you have keeps you from using the page file, and that depends on what apps
you run. Most people running a typical range of business applications find
that somewhere around 256-384MB works well, others need 512MB. Almost
anyone will see poor performance with less than 256MB. Some people,
particularly those doing things like editing large photographic images,
can see a performance boost by adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much
more.
Click to expand...
 
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