Gradually increased memory consumption in Vista

bsistrunk · 09-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Hello all. New Vista user and I note that when I first boot up, memory consumption is about 16% (I have 8 GB installed). After running awhile the memory use gradually increases to around 28% even though no programs are open and in use. Hard to believe I could have more than two GB in use all the time, even when not actively using any programs and obviously, I'd be in trouble if all I had installed was two GB to start with. Is this normal and if not, how do I begin troubleshooting. Many thanks for any assistance offerred.

Mcninjaguy · 09-21-2009, 10:34 PM

If your system runs fine then why bother messing with? RAM is meant to be used. I know we would like to see less RAM used. My computer does the same thing as it starts around 1 gb then quickly goes up to use around 1.4 gb's.

You could use this guide to take away unneeded system processes. Its Black Viper's website and it very useful for running a computer with less resources needed.

**jenae** · 09-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Hi, this is a most missunderstood element. RAM as Mcninjaguy said is meant to be used, actually the more Ram used the more efficient your system is. With 64 bit and 8gb then you are experiencing the advantage of good code, physical memory (RAM) is far more efficient, so windows is making use of it. Very doubtful you will ever hit the wall with 8gb of RAM. 4gb is usually fine on a 64 bit system, even though the system (64 BIT) is designed to use more memory, unless the applications running require it only a certain amt will be used. Currently you will find 8gb more then adequate.

Horusrogue · 09-22-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenae

Hi, this is a most missunderstood element. RAM as Mcninjaguy said is meant to be used, actually the more Ram used the more efficient your system is. With 64 bit and 8gb then you are experiencing the advantage of good code, physical memory (RAM) is far more efficient, so windows is making use of it. Very doubtful you will ever hit the wall with 8gb of RAM. 4gb is usually fine on a 64 bit system, even though the system (64 BIT) is designed to use more memory, unless the applications running require it only a certain amt will be used. Currently you will find 8gb more then adequate.

Ah the (semi)limitless values of 64bit computing.
(Compared to 32-bit)
For instance my anti-spyware used to kill only 40mb. On my new system it kills close to 100. Its all relative.
But with 4+gb you need to be doing serious computing to fully exert that. This is just system memory. Your dedicated devices/addon cards (GFX, SND even the high end network cards) have their own memory reserves and by adding them in WOULD reduce the memory usage by degrees off your main system memory (whereas running everything onboard will do the opposite). With 8 gb though...its nowhere near an issue.

bsistrunk · 09-23-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenae

Hi, this is a most missunderstood element. RAM as Mcninjaguy said is meant to be used, actually the more Ram used the more efficient your system is. With 64 bit and 8gb then you are experiencing the advantage of good code, physical memory (RAM) is far more efficient, so windows is making use of it. Very doubtful you will ever hit the wall with 8gb of RAM. 4gb is usually fine on a 64 bit system, even though the system (64 BIT) is designed to use more memory, unless the applications running require it only a certain amt will be used. Currently you will find 8gb more then adequate.

Thank you for the explanation jenae. Didn't realize the OS used memory in that fashion. When I had only 4GB it was around 18-22%. I thought adding another 4GB would lower that percentage. Don't seem to have any memory related issues though so as you and others have suggested I won't worry about it. thanks all.

Mcninjaguy · 09-23-2009, 08:07 PM

It always feels a bit weird but I'm assuming your computer is pretty fast and that's what matters!

09-21-2009, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
bsistrunk Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Vista 64 SP2	Gradually increased memory consumption in Vista Hello all. New Vista user and I note that when I first boot up, memory consumption is about 16% (I have 8 GB installed). After running awhile the memory use gradually increases to around 28% even though no programs are open and in use. Hard to believe I could have more than two GB in use all the time, even when not actively using any programs and obviously, I'd be in trouble if all I had installed was two GB to start with. Is this normal and if not, how do I begin troubleshooting. Many thanks for any assistance offerred.

09-21-2009, 10:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Gradually increased memory consumption in Vista If your system runs fine then why bother messing with? RAM is meant to be used. I know we would like to see less RAM used. My computer does the same thing as it starts around 1 gb then quickly goes up to use around 1.4 gb's. You could use this guide to take away unneeded system processes. Its Black Viper's website and it very useful for running a computer with less resources needed.

09-21-2009, 11:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
jenae Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,308 OS: XP & Vista	Re: Gradually increased memory consumption in Vista Hi, this is a most missunderstood element. RAM as Mcninjaguy said is meant to be used, actually the more Ram used the more efficient your system is. With 64 bit and 8gb then you are experiencing the advantage of good code, physical memory (RAM) is far more efficient, so windows is making use of it. Very doubtful you will ever hit the wall with 8gb of RAM. 4gb is usually fine on a 64 bit system, even though the system (64 BIT) is designed to use more memory, unless the applications running require it only a certain amt will be used. Currently you will find 8gb more then adequate. __________________

09-23-2009, 08:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Gradually increased memory consumption in Vista It always feels a bit weird but I'm assuming your computer is pretty fast and that's what matters!