TaskManager and WinXP Performance tab

[Tom]

WinXP Pro SP3
Office 2003 SP3

I have an older system that I'm using for a variety of situations. I need
to find out if my 1GB memory is too low as well as any other input you'd deem
appropriate.
Totals: 16550
Threads: 759
Processes: 65
**********
Physical Memory
Total 1047532
Available: 287448
System Cache: 371752
************
Commit Charge
Total 605192
Limit 2518580
Peak 728084
************
Kernal Memory
Total 75068
Paged 51080
Non-paged 23984
*************
CPU Usage 7% at this time
PF Usage 590MB at this time
Ideally, I'd like to know how to read these numbers and also determine if
too much paging is being performed. If I could determine what mix of apps
causes the paging that'd been great! Can I get an automated notice when
memory runs low or paging gets too high (text message)?
TIA!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

WinXP Pro SP3
Office 2003 SP3

I have an older system that I'm using for a variety of situations. I need
to find out if my 1GB memory is too low as well as any other input you'd deem
appropriate.

For most people running XP, 1GB is *more* than you need.

How much RAM you need for good 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 512MB, or even a little under,
works well. 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.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.

 

[Tom]

Thanks, Ken.
Does this utility still work with XP Pro SP3? The utility is dated circa
2002 - 6 years ago!
What about just understanding the aspects of the task manager in "today's
world"?
Did you see anything unique in the numbers/information that was posted?
TIA, again!
Tom

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks, Ken.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Does this utility still work with XP Pro SP3? The utility is dated circa
2002 - 6 years ago!

As far as I know, it does, although I personally haven't run it
recently. Try it and let us know.

What about just understanding the aspects of the task manager in "today's
world"?
Did you see anything unique in the numbers/information that was posted?

No, I didn't.