Virtual Memory AKA Swap File

[FZWG]

Read an article in a reputable magazine stating that the size of the swap file should be set to a minimum and maximum size which are the same. In this scenario the system will not have to slow down to resize this file.

The size recommended is 384 MB for the minimum and the maximum.

Appreciate some thoughts on this.

[AzCoastie]

I've heard the same thing... Got mine set to 1024 (twice my SDRAM amount) both min & max w/ no problems. *knock on wood*

Someone who knows more than I about this will chime in soon!

[galaxian]

You have 512MBs installed and are running with a 1GB swapfile????

Have you looked with SYSMON to see exactly how much of it you are using? (or rather, are not using). Unless you are running many, many programs at once, or running very large programs like video editting, odds are very good that your swap file usage is zero!!

There is no formula for the swapfile size and a max should never be specified, ever.

[AzCoastie]

Originally posted by galaxian You have 512MBs installed and are running with a 1GB swapfile???? Have you looked with SYSMON to see exactly how much of it you are using? (or rather, are not using). Unless you are running many, many programs at once, or running very large programs like video editting, odds are very good that your swap file usage is zero!! There is no formula for the swapfile size and a max should never be specified, ever.

I've been told to keep the swapfile min & max set to twice the RAM amount... This isn't correct?

Also, I have one 30GB and one 20GB HDD, so space isn't a problem.

Never heard of SYSMON... Something I have to download or is it in WinXP?

If max isn't specified and I leave it blank, won't the OS assume zero?

Thanks for your help!

[galaxian]

Sysmon is a Win98 utility. I don't know if it is available on XP or not.
With no MAX, windows assumes unlimited. With a max, if it hits the top you get program errors or out of memory errors. With no MAX the file is just expanded.

If you find the XP monitor (or someone indicates where it is or another that can be used), I'm still betting that you are not using any of the swapfile, and you may as well just let windows manage it. On the other hand, obviously with your current config everything will still run OK.

[Cricket]

Hi FZWG,

If you want Windows to use the swap file as little as possible, just have lots of physical RAM installed. The more RAM you have, the less Windows has to go to the swap file.

Which OS are you using? If you're on WinXP, I would just let it manage the swap file and system resources on it's own. If you're on Win98, I would still let it manage the swap file but would add this line to the [386Enh] section in system.ini using sysedit - ConservativeSwapFileUsage=1

Cricket

[AzCoastie]

I tried to leave the max side blank and WinXP wouldn't allow it... It requires something there in order to set it.

Don't know if it's accurate or not but M$ suggests having the swapfile located on a drive other than the one where the system files are located if possible... I've put it back to allow WinXP to manage it and set it to my slave HDD.

[FZWG]

Thank you for the replies.

Got plenty of info to learn more about this issue.

Running W98SE with 448MB memory. Mostly use PC for Internet, and every now and then, a download. Nothing 'heavy'.

Virtual Memory is set to 384MB minimum and maximum.

[TwoRails]

Hi FZWG,

I've read a large handful of articles on this, and it seems like there is no one set rule. This is because of all the variables, like RAM amount, what you are using your system for, size of files, number of programs you normally run at one time, etc...

Having a Min is about the only consistant item I've ever found. Setting a Max usually runs into errors. Mine is set to about 347 MB Min and no Max. I'm running 512 memory on a Win98 SE box. This seems to work the best for my needs. Feel free to experiment, but it may take a few attempts and do repetitive things to see which setting works best.

HTH

TwoRails

[FZWG]

Thanks for the info, TwoRails.

W98SE requires some sort of an entry in the maximum amount. It does not accept a blank entry. Guess one can enter the entire size of space available on the hard drive????

[TwoRails]

Hi FZWG,

Actually, there is a choice of "No Maximum." But there is more than one way..... In Virtual Memory, you can also Check to let Windows manage the swap file, and then add this line:

MinPagingFileSize=339292

To the:

386Enh

section of your System.ini file.

That's the same as setting Vitural Memory to a Min and No Max. The number is in KB, so the above number is 339.3 MB, roughly. So, if you wanted a 300MB swap file min, you would enter:

MinPagingFileSize=300000


HTH

TwoRails

[Blakhart]

A minimum of around 300 is best, and if you never print things or use photo or video editing apps, you may also set the max at 300.
Vid/photo and printing apps may call for 768 or even greater swaps. It will always depend on the app, and dynamic swap as opposed to fixed can save the day for you. You will see an error message re mem if you do not have a big enough swap. So, setting a max limit can be a bad thing for some. Anymore, swapfile foolery gives less bennies than in older os's, such as 95/98/me. I still set mine on its own partition, and set it to the same min and max size. There is a slight performance increase in this, in my xp installs. Even better would be a separate drive altogether for the swap, parted out for swap and say kazaa-like data.......
This way using both ide channels, swaps can happen at the same time as os/app reads on the other drive.
While I am on my tirade, raid 0 would be far faster still, given like drives.

[Jade]

I have mine set to 0 min and 96 max. I have 512 MBRam.

From what I know the more RAM you have the less you need the swapfile and more specifically a static swapfile.

From recall I believe the swapfile is an actual file on the harddrive. And a static swapfile interupts everytime you access the HD (since it is static) even when you don't need it. Thus it is a tax on your HD; the most bottleneck portion of most systems especially when you don't need it.

I could be wrong.

[galaxian]

By static, I assume you mean permanent or semipermanent??

If so, there is no "interrupt" everytime you access the disk. If windows doesn't need to use the file, the file is not used, permanent of otherwise.

In your particular case, I don't know why you have bothered setting any parameters at all. Just let windows manage it.

[Tuf]

i have run Windows for several years with lots of RAM and no swap file. I had never encountered any problems until I was trying to load some drivers from a floppy. Apparently sometimes you do need it, even 2MB would do it. If are not monitoring your computers useage it might be best to let Windows manage it.
In XP the Performance Tab in the Task Manager performa the role of System Monitor.

[erucader]

If there is <128 Mb of ram is there benefit to manually setting swap file?

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by erucader If there is <128 Mb of ram is there benefit to manually setting swap file?

What I was trying to elude to above is that setting a Min is the easiest way to get a benifit from the swap file. It is indeed a file on the HD like any other file. If you have a min, then Windows doesn't have to keep changing it's size to accomodate a smaller file, thus you have a slight performance increase.

The only way Windows will thrash the swap file with a Min setting is if you need a larger file then the Min setting. This would be the case if you start running a large number of programs at one. If you do that (run a large number of programs at once) then just increase the Min size of the swap file.

HTH

TwoRails

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by Jade ...snip... From recall I believe the swapfile is an actual file on the harddrive. And a static swapfile interupts everytime you access the HD (since it is static) even when you don't need it. ,..snip...

Hi Jade,

I don't follow.... Yes, the swap file is a file on the HD. That's why "power users" put the file on their fastest drive. The Windows default is on the 'C' drive, which is typically the fastest in most systems (mainly due to most systems, including store bought, have only one drive)

I never heard of a "static" drive?? Are you referring to a RAM drive? They were OK in the olden, DOS days but don't really have much use in modern systems.

TwoRails

[Blakhart]

No matter if the swap is disabled, the os still pages, it always will, and this is by design. So, you are better off leaving it as installed.

[Jade]

Originally posted by TwoRails Hi Jade, I don't follow.... Yes, the swap file is a file on the HD. That's why "power users" put the file on their fastest drive. The Windows default is on the 'C' drive, which is typically the fastest in most systems (mainly due to most systems, including store bought, have only one drive) I never heard of a "static" drive?? Are you referring to a RAM drive? They were OK in the olden, DOS days but don't really have much use in modern systems. TwoRails

Static swapfile. I don't believe I used the term 'static drive'. And yes it means same size min and max.

I always thought a same sized swapfile means you are activating your HD for this purpose even when it is not being used. Thus slowing the HD even more.

I also use a tweak that perhaps no one uses (I just use parameters found in MS knowledge base) in that I force the use of 420MB evertime my comp starts up. Maybe I will post results for those at a later time.

[galaxian]

Jade:
You indicate
"I have mine set to 0 min and 96 max. I have 512 MB Ram"
and then
"I force the use of 420MB evertime my comp starts up".

????
What "tweak" are you using?
And why?


Blakhart: The OS will find it very difficult to page if you have disabled virtual memory.

[Babylon]

Just thought I'd add my own opinion from what I've read about Swap File settings. From what I've read the only point in making the max and min the same is to stop the HD fragmentation from the constantly re-sizing swap file. It's best to force windows not to use the swap file unless it is absolutely necessary using the method above.

I'd like to ask though, when I get a new PC I'm aiming to get an 80gb hard drive. If I partitioned it, into a 60 GB, and 20 GB section, would this slow down the drive at all? AM I best getting the company to install 2 drives instead? The reason I ask is that in the 20 GB partition (I might make it less, not sure) I hope to store all the files on my PC such as e-mail files, swap files, virus checker + firewall, and temp internet files to stop the rest of my HD from getting badly fragmented! Would this actually help?

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by Jade Static swapfile. I don't believe I used the term 'static drive'. And yes it means same size min and max. I always thought a same sized swapfile means you are activating your HD for this purpose even when it is not being used. Thus slowing the HD even more. I also use a tweak that perhaps no one uses (I just use parameters found in MS knowledge base) in that I force the use of 420MB evertime my comp starts up. Maybe I will post results for those at a later time.

Hi Jade,

Ya, I don't know where "drive" came from...

No, setting the min / max to the same does not trash the HD any more than normal.

I don't follow you again about the tweak. Setting the Min to 420 sets the file size to that min. Windows does Not create the swap file on startup. Start in DOS an you will find the swap file still there from the prior Windos session, it doesn't go away.

TwoRails

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by Babylon Just thought I'd add my own opinion from what I've read about Swap File settings. From what I've read the only point in making the max and min the same is to stop the HD fragmentation from the constantly re-sizing swap file. It's best to force windows not to use the swap file unless it is absolutely necessary using the method above. I'd like to ask though, when I get a new PC I'm aiming to get an 80gb hard drive. If I partitioned it, into a 60 GB, and 20 GB section, would this slow down the drive at all? AM I best getting the company to install 2 drives instead? The reason I ask is that in the 20 GB partition (I might make it less, not sure) I hope to store all the files on my PC such as e-mail files, swap files, virus checker + firewall, and temp internet files to stop the rest of my HD from getting badly fragmented! Would this actually help?

Hi Babylon,

You are right! The main reason for setting swap file sizes is indeed to stop the trashing of the HD, at least for that file, which, in turn gives a small performance increase.

As far as partitioning and multi drives (physical / logical) -- that's one of my favorite subjects!! Since dinner is ready, I'll just quickly say: 1) Yes, partitioning and multi drives (physical / logical) are of a large benefit for many reasons, and 2) that would be better for a New thread, as you'll get more direct posts on the subject!

Gotta go eat!!

TwoRails

[galaxian]

Quick supplement.
If you set a MIN the swapfile is created as contiguous. There is not need to set a MAX. In fact, there is absolutely no benefit whatsover in setting a MAX.

As for a windows managed swapfile NOT being created at boot time. This is not true for Windows 95, but started with Windows 98.

[FZWG]

Thanks for all the replies. Plenty of food for thought.

[galaxian]

Originally posted by Jade I also use a tweak that perhaps no one uses (I just use parameters found in MS knowledge base) in that I force the use of 420MB evertime my comp starts up. Maybe I will post results for those at a later time.

Just a bounce hoping Jade will explain what this tweak is.

[glc]

I have always managed my swapfile like this - I disable virtual memory, reboot, and defrag. Then I set a static size swapfile at 1.5x my physical ram and reboot. This sets the swapfile in stone completely unfragmented and keeps it this way. I know there are both advantages and disadvantages to doing it this way, but at least I know it's there and it's not gonna get fragmented. I'm not concerned about minor performance differences, I'm more concerned about keeping it minimum maintenance.

[galaxian]

As I indicated above, there is no need to set a MAX on the file. A MIN alone will create a contiguous file (unfragmented).
The only thing that a MAX will do on the swapfile (which is obviously non productive) is potentially cause program failures on Out of Memory.
There are no benefits to setting an upper limit.

[glc]

If that happens - I start over and make it bigger, no biggie. Hasn't happened yet.