Windows - do I absolutely NEED pagefile?

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by bellgamin, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. reasonablePrivacy

    reasonablePrivacy Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2017
    Posts:
    2,002
    Location:
    Member state of European Union
    There are programs/execution environments that try to allocate memory in advance and they allocate it more when you have more system memory. I don't know how exactly they determine how many memory they should allocate in advance and if they don't distinguish between physical memory and available virtual memory. Provided they don't distinguish it would change their allocation behavior.
     
  2. Willy2

    Willy2 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Posts:
    295
    Location:
    Not in this box
  3. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2013
    Posts:
    1,411
    If you do use a pagefile you can clear the pagefile at shutdown.
    The amount of time that is required to complete this process depends on the size
    of the pagefile and how fast your hard drive is. Data in the pagefile could include
    sensitive info and pose a security risk.

    If you turn on clear virtual memory pagefile upon shutdown, the hibernation file
    (hiberfil.sys) is also zeroed out if hibernation is disabled.

    Other option is setting up full-disk encryption. If your page file is stored on
    an encrypted drive, you don’t have to wipe it each time you shut down machine.
    Another option is you could just encrypt the pagefile.
     
  4. Spartan

    Spartan Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2016
    Posts:
    1,424
    Location:
    Dubai
    I have 128GB of RAM and thus have disabled the page file
     
  5. Willy2

    Willy2 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Posts:
    295
    Location:
    Not in this box
    @Ultra Male:
    - Do you REALLY have 128 GB of RAM ? I consider that to be WAY too much RAM for ANY computer system.
     
  6. Spartan

    Spartan Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2016
    Posts:
    1,424
    Location:
    Dubai
    No I am lying to look cool on the internet :rolleyes:

    Check my signature
     
  7. Willy2

    Willy2 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Posts:
    295
    Location:
    Not in this box
    @Ultra Male:
    - Install PcWinTech's CLEANMEM. It will reduce the amount of "In Use" memory and it will deflate the file cache. then there is no need anymore to have such a large amount of memory.
    - I only have 8 GB of memory and with CLEANMEM that memory never completely fills up with data.
     
  8. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2013
    Posts:
    1,411
    OWC can upgrade iMac Pro to 256GB of RAM. Supposedly your looking at a Price tag of $2,499.
    Much more expensive if Apple installs it when iMac Pro is being built.

    For most typical users I would say anywhere from 16-64GB would do.
     
  9. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Posts:
    8,627
    I would say that for most users, 8GB would be more than enough. You should only really need more than that, if you open lots of browsers tabs at once, or you use memory intensive software.

    On my main system, I have 12GB of RAM. In time, I'll upgrade to 16GB, but only because at times, I have tens of tabs open at once. At this point in time, I would never need more than 16GB.
     
  10. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2013
    Posts:
    1,411
    @roger_m

    Just a range, not set in stone. Think 8GB is ok, but 16GB is a good place to start IMO.
    Will the typical PC user need 32 or 64GB+ of ram? Probably not, but there are exceptions.
    It all depends on what you want to do & how much money your willing to spend.

    Buying to much RAM though, is a waste of money. If for ex. you have 32GB ram installed and your
    system (including software) is only using 8GB, your not utilizing the vast majority of memory.
     
  11. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Posts:
    8,627
    Sure it's not set in stone. But I'm absolutely certain that the average user will not need any more than 8GB of RAM at this point in time and anything more than just would just be a waste. This of course can be verified by opening Task Manager. If memory usage is at 74% or below, you're not running low on RAM. So it's easy to tell if you have enough RAM or not.
     
  12. Krusty

    Krusty Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Posts:
    10,210
    Location:
    Among the gum trees
    This machine came with 16 GB of RAM and I upgraded my other two machines to 8 GB RAM each, which is plenty / more than enough for my needs.
     
  13. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2013
    Posts:
    1,411
    Does the average user play games? 16GB is the optimal amount of RAM for gaming today.
    Also 16GB makes your PC more future-proof. Can typical/average user run with 8GB of
    Ram today? Sure, but looks like 16GB is now working its way as the new norm.
    Anyway, we got off main subject of pagefile on Windows.
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.