Ram , Pagefile , Ramdisk

[lightningterror]

Ok so i just installed my new 16gb kit earlier and i have a couple of questions.

 

First i set a custom pagefile size of 1-2GB on a HDD. Would i benefit more by decreasing it more or increasing it because of superfetch and no i don't want to leave the pagefile on auto because windows sets it on 16Gb on auto which is huge. Turning the pagefile off seems to have it's side effects also so that's not an option either.

 

Second i want to use a ramdisk for temporary cache. What would be the best size for it , is 1 or 2 gb good?Also which software should i use , is the Xfast ram from Asrock good or should i use a thirdparty from this list?

[Electronics Wizardy]

I don't suggest using a ram disk as its small and not much faster than a ssd for most uses.

Also unless you have a 120gb or less boot drive don't touch the page files settings. Its fine the way it is and if your system is what is in your footer 16gb isn't much on a 1tb hdd.

[lx_srs]

Ok so i just installed my new 16gb kit earlier and i have a couple of questions.

 

First i set a custom pagefile size of 1-2GB on a HDD. Would i benefit more by decreasing it more or increasing it because of superfetch and no i don't want to leave the pagefile on auto because windows sets it on 16Gb on auto which is huge. Turning the pagefile off seems to have it's side effects also so that's not an option either.

 

Second i want to use a ramdisk for temporary cache. What would be the best size for it , is 1 or 2 gb good?Also which software should i use , is the Xfast ram from Asrock good or should i use a thirdparty from this list?

This one was on r/pcmasterrace a while ago, and it seemed to get pretty good reviews.

[lx_srs]

I don't suggest using a ram disk as its small and not much faster than a ssd for most uses.

Also unless you have a 120gb or less boot drive don't touch the page files settings. Its fine the way it is and if your system is what is in your footer 16gb isn't much on a 1tb hdd.

what he said.

[Enderman]

Dont use a ramdisk, its volatile storage

if you need speed, use an SSD

otherwise just eave your ram as it is because when you use a program most of it is loaded into ram anyway

 

also the pagefile will never be used unless your ram is filled to 100%

if youre using that much ram you need to close something or buy more ram

otherwise it doesnt matter what size pagefile you use

[Electronics Wizardy]

 

also the pagefile will never be used unless your ram is filled to 100%

 

Not True

Most os's move ram that is current'y not used into swap or pagefile over time to free up more ram for processes that will need it. For a OS its better to use extra ram to cache files and apps that are often used rather than storing ram for programs that never use it. For example on my desktop right now im using 13 out of my 28 gb or ram and im also using 2.5 gb or my page file, even though i have 825mb or ram free. In linux you can adjust how aggressively the os puts un used ram into swap by the swappness variable.

[lightningterror]

Dont use a ramdisk, its volatile storage

if you need speed, use an SSD

otherwise just eave your ram as it is because when you use a program most of it is loaded into ram anyway

Why i want to use a ramdisk is because i won't be getting an ssd anytime soon and i already know the ramdisk will be used for temporary storage ( there are software that lets you back up the ramdisk data but i don't need that ).

 

 

Not True

Most os's move ram that is current'y not used into swap or pagefile over time to free up more ram for processes that will need it. For a OS its better to use extra ram to cache files and apps that are often used rather than storing ram for programs that never use it. For example on my desktop right now im using 13 out of my 28 gb or ram and im also using 2.5 gb or my page file, even though i have 825mb or ram free. In linux you can adjust how aggressively the os puts un used ram into swap by the swappness variable.

Even when you're using low amounts of ram i still see some amount of the pagefile being used.

My take on this is to set a low minimum and somewhat medium to high maximum size.

[Enderman]

Not True

Most os's move ram that is current'y not used into swap or pagefile over time to free up more ram for processes that will need it. For a OS its better to use extra ram to cache files and apps that are often used rather than storing ram for programs that never use it. For example on my desktop right now im using 13 out of my 28 gb or ram and im also using 2.5 gb or my page file, even though i have 825mb or ram free. In linux you can adjust how aggressively the os puts un used ram into swap by the swappness variable.

stuff only gets moved to the page file when you use close to all of your ram

 

if stuff moves to the page file, even if you ram usage decreases it will remain on the pagefile

 

this is why somettimes you can see the pagefile is several GB even though you have free ram

 

its because at some point since the PC started, close to 100% of your ram got used and stuff got put in the pagefile

[YoloSwag]

 

stuff only gets moved to the page file when you use close to all of your ram

 

if stuff moves to the page file, even if you ram usage decreases it will remain on the pagefile

 

this is why somettimes you can see the pagefile is several GB even though you have free ram

 

its because at some point since the PC started, close to 100% of your ram got used and stuff got put in the pagefile

 

@OP this is correct.

 

If you want your applications to load/run faster having no pagefile should theoretically increase your overall performance since applications will be forced to load everything on your ram.

 

But!!! you should check your usage first, if your usage on your system ram and pagefile during heavy loads is more than your total ram you should use pagefile.

To my experience though, even when playing some newer games, my ram usage doesn't even use the whole 8GB that I have but you should still check yours.

 

Also, why would you need ramdisk? - I'm asking out of necessity btw.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Why i want to use a ramdisk is because i won't be getting an ssd anytime soon and i already know the ramdisk will be used for temporary storage ( there are software that lets you back up the ramdisk data but i don't need that ).

 

What do you plan on using the ram disk for?

[lightningterror]

What do you plan on using the ram disk for?

Chrome & Firefox cache , Photoshop scratch disk and dunno other similar things.

[YoloSwag]

Chrome & Firefox cache , Photoshop scratch disk and dunno other similar things.

 

I'd go with the "most of us believe you don't need it" approach.

 

If you have the programs you need loaded on an SSD you're fine with it. The slightly less load times in ram disk won't give you like a full blown advantage.

 

To be practical about it, it's like installing your games on an SSD just for it to load faster. You don't win any grand prizes, just the convenience of your games loading faster than others. Personally, I put CS:GO and Dota 2 on my SSD and the rest of my games I keep on my HDD. But unlike a ram disk, I still have a lot more memory left (both system and storage). If you install PS on a ram disk this effectively consumes a significant amount of your 16GB ram. The bad thing about it is if your memory module suddenly fails you lose whatever data is there.

 

Just buy a secondary SSD for PS and other programs if you want it to load fast. Even installing it in your primary system drive (if its an SSD) isn't a bad idea.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Chrome & Firefox cache , Photoshop scratch disk and dunno other similar things.

This won't help as the OS automatically stores this in ram without telling your and speeds up these tasks.

[lightningterror]

Meh seems like the Ramdisk will be useless then.