Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Forcing XP to use RAM First!!!

0 helpful
4 replies

by vtecaccord96

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

ok, I have 512MB RAM on this system (XP) but windows ALWAYS uses a pagefile for different things even though my RAM is not even at 50% full!! I set the swap file at 200 min/max and was thinking of eliminating it completely! Would this give better performance? I assume if windows uses RAM First like it should, I would already have better performance by faster access speeds, and less HD activity. Right?
Anyone...

4 replies

by thechas

Yes, Windows always uses a page file. There is no practicle way around this.
In fact, if you disable the page file, Windows will actually run slower!

Many services by default uses the page file instead of RAM.

I would not limit the size of the pagefile. Restricting the size of the pagefile usually results in increased Windows crashes.

There have been numerous debates and discussions posted at TR, and around the Web.

Check out the swap file info at
www.aumha.org

I had another link to a good article on the swap file, but it is now dead.

The best ways to improve perfromance of the page file are;
Use a utility such as Norton Speed Disk to locate the page file on the fastest section of the hard drive.
Provide a seperate partition for the page file so that it does not become fragmented.
Load up with RAM. (3GB) and set up a RAM drive for the page file.

Chas

by vtecaccord96

TheChas: Interesting that Windows will actually run slower w/o a pagefile!! I am using NU which has the pagefile at the start of my HD. I like the idea of the separate partition for the pagefile and the RAM drive, not sure how to do this since I didnt think it would make any difference and never tried it. But isnt keeping the min/max the same the best way so it dont get fragmented as much? Thanks for the help:)

This discussion is closed to new replies.