I have a 300 GB hard drive with 768 MB of RAM. How much virtual memory should I use?

I am running Windows XP Pro SP2 to be more specific. I got it split on the C and D drive with the C drive total to be 83.7 Gigs and D drive total to be 195 Gigs.

I have a 300 GB hard drive with 768 MB of RAM. How much virtual memory should I use?
Automatic setting is usually fine. Window's general rule of thumb is twice the amount of physical ram. To get a performance increase the file should be placed on a separate physical disk as the system partition.
Reply:If the PC's performance is OK let Windows manage the virtual memory.


There's no point putting the swap file on the D: partition, if anything that will slow the PC down, because the disk heads will have to move further.


Similarly do not place it on a separate hard disk, unless you're sure that it's faster than the 300 gig drive.


N.B.


A RAM disk is a virtual disk held in RAM. The contents will disappear when the PC is switched off and it should never be used for a swap file. The RAM disk and swap file would compete for RAM and could completely lock up the system.


If you can afford it the best way to improve performance would be to make sure that all of your RAM is identical. I have known PCs to lock up when they have 2 modules with different sizes of RAM and need to use the second one.
Reply:It's better to to leave the setting as is. Windows xp is smart enough to automatically adjust the required virtual memory (which is default setting). And by the way, if you are using RAM 512+256, then you are not using your RAM potentially. It's always better to use RAM of same size and same FSB.
Reply:You should let Windows manage the size of your virtual ram (page file.) This way it will grow and reduce automatically. If you specify a size, it may work ok, but if it needs to get larger it won't.





It's also better to move the page file to a partition where windows is not installed.





Another option that will also improve performance is install an older hard drive and move the page file there. This is called a "RAM Disc"
Reply:Unless your having an problem just leave it at the default amount.





Hope this helps !