Ram usage increases even at idle

[amadino13]

Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a great time. 

 

I've had this problem for quite some time now. I can't recall if this has been happening since I've built my system (it's been about 2 years or so) but it's been happening for the past year... When I turn on my computer, my ram usage sits at about 30%. The longer I leave my computer on, the higher it gets. I left my computer on for about 4 or 5 days (mostly idle, very little usage) and my ram is now at 80%. Every time I restart, it's the same thing. Ram usage increases even if I don't use my computer at all. I know very well how to build my own rig but this beats me. I can't seem to think of anything how I could fix this. 

 

My specs should be in the signature, if not, I will add them. Thank you for all your help. 

[Langdon]

Have you checked which process is using up all the RAM?

[ttam]

Go into the system config (cmd > msconfig) and disable the programs under startup that don't need to be running from the start.

Do a malware scan on your system, I happen to have a guide on the forum over @ http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/90213-malware-removal-guide/

In the task manager you should be able to see what's using the ram.

[brob]

Have you let it sit long enough to get close to or over 100%? If so, are you still able to run programs?

[amadino13]

The longest I have let it sit was i think 10 days. It got to about 90% but when I tried to start a program it would say not enough memory to start it.

 

I have taken a picture of my taskman window. I use remote desktop so I don't make noise at 1.30am which is why the windows don't have aero. Also, I have added up all the ram usage by the programs. It's around 1gb but even then, it's still high ram usage. The programs from startup are just nvidia drivers, Asus drivers and logitech drivers which don't add up to more than a few hundred mb. 

 

I have checked for any viruses or malware, it's all clean. 

 

You see, the thing is, I have always ran those applications in the background. There isn't really anything different than past years.

 

[Priller]

I would let it run with the task manager open the way you have it now. Once the ram usage starts to get high again see what task is eating up the ram and what the program actually is.

[brob]

I suspect one of the drivers has a memory leak. Of course it could be Windows itself, although that is unlikely. Is Windows up to date? Are all your drivers up to date?

[amadino13]

I would let it run with the task manager open the way you have it now. Once the ram usage starts to get high again see what task is eating up the ram and what the program actually is.

 

 

I have in the past. That's why I'm posting here. There are no apps that use more than 100megs or ram. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen. The ram usage goes up but there are no apps to make up for the extra usage... 

[Priller]

I have in the past. That's why I'm posting here. There are no apps that use more than 100megs or ram. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen. The ram usage goes up but there are no apps to make up for the extra usage... 

 

Strange then it would have to be a memory leak causing usage to go up.

[amadino13]

I suspect one of the drivers has a memory leak. Of course it could be Windows itself, although that is unlikely. Is Windows up to date? Are all your drivers up to date?

 

Drivers are all up to date. At least the most important ones. Could updating the bios fix the leak? Windows is not up to date however. 

[CwGoh]

Drivers are all up to date. At least the most important ones. Could updating the bios fix the leak? Windows is not up to date however. 

This is mostly caused by a driver, commonly a network driver.

[Hargreaves]

Take out the ram and plug it back in. 

[brob]

Drivers are all up to date. At least the most important ones. Could updating the bios fix the leak? Windows is not up to date however. 

 

Windows does have a lot of documented memory leaks and they do get fixed. Updating to the latest version of Windows and making sure all drivers are up to date may resolve the issue.

 

I doubt that updating the BIOS would affect this. But you can check the release notes to see if they mention any fixes for this sort of problem. Generally one refrains from updating the BIOS on a working system unless it has a known fix.

[amadino13]

I disabled all of the drivers that I didn't need. It turns out the Corsair Link driver was causing the leak. Since I disabled that program to run at startup, my computer has been online for the past 6 days and the ram is still at 31%. Thank you everyone for your help. 

[brob]

I disabled all of the drivers that I didn't need. It turns out the Corsair Link driver was causing the leak. Since I disabled that program to run at startup, my computer has been online for the past 6 days and the ram is still at 31%. Thank you everyone for your help. 

 

Thanks for reporting back. It's good information to have.