Virtual memory Information.
Tutorial Objective
This tutorial talks about anything about the virtual memory and how much virtual memory you need for your system.
Tutorial Introduction & Background
Today
application is getting bigger and bigger. Therefore, it requires a
bigger system memory in order for the system to hold the application
data, instruction, and thread and to load it. The system needs to copy
the application data from the HDD into the system memory in order for
it to process and execute the data. Once the memory gets filled up with
data, the system will stop loading the program. In this case, users
need to add more memory onto their system to support that intense
application. However, adding more system memory costs the money and the
normal user only needs to run the the intense application that requires
the memory only for one or two days. Therefore, virtual memory is
introduced to solve that type of problem.
Terminology & Explanation
There are two types of memory, which are as follows:
*
System Memory is a memory that is used to store the application data
and instruction in order for the system to process and execute that
application data and instruction. When you install the memory sticks to
increase the system RAM, you are adding more system memory. System
Memory can be known as either the physical memory or the main memory.
*
Virtual Memory is a memory that uses a portion of HDD space as the
memory to store the application data and instruction that the system
deemed it doesn't need to process for now. Virtual Memory can be known
as the logical memory, and it controls by the Operating System, which
is Microsoft Windows. Adding the Virtual Memory can be done in system
configuration.
Tutorial Information & Facts or Implementation
Virtual
Memory is a HDD space that uses some portion of it as the memory. It is
used to store application data and instruction that is currently not
needed to be process by the system.
During the program loading
process, the system will copy the application data and its instruction
from the HDD into the main memory (system memory). Therefore the system
can use its resources such as CPU to process and execute it. Once the
system memory gets filled up, the system will start moving some of the
data and instruction that don't need to process anymore into the
Virtual Memory until those data and instruction need to process again.
So the system can call the next application data and instruction and
copy it into the main memory in order for the system to process the
rest and load the program. When the data and instruction that is in the
Virtual Memory needs to process again, the system will first check the
main memory for its space. If there is space, it will simply swap those
into the main memory. If there are not any space left for the main
memory, the system will first check the main memory and move any data
and instructions that doesn't need to be process into the Virtual
Memory. And then swap the data and instruction that need to be process
by the system from the Virtual Memory into the main memory.
Having
too low of Virtual Memory size or large Virtual Memory size (meaning
the size that is above double of the system memory) is not a good idea.
If you set the Virtual Memory too low, then the OS will keep issuing an
error message that states either Not enough memory or Virtual too low.
This is because some portion of the system memory are used to store the
OS Kernel, and it requires to be remain in the main memory all the
time. Therefore the system needs to have a space to store the not
currently needed process data and instruction when the main memory get
filled up. If you set the Virtual Memory size too large to support the
intensive application, it is also not a good idea. Because it will
create the performance lagging, and even it will take the HDD free
space. The system needs to transfer the application data and
instruction back and forth between the Virtual Memory and the System
Memory. Therefore, that is not a good idea. The ideal size for the
Virtual Memory is the default size of Virtual Memory, and it should not
be exceed the value of the triple size of system memory.
To
determine how much virtual memory you need, since the user's system
contains the different amount of RAM, it is based on the system. By
default, the OS will set the appropriate size for Virtual Memory. The
default and appropriate size of Virtual Memory is:
CODE
* 1.5 =
.
For example, if your system contains 256 MB of RAM, you should set 384 MB for Virtual Memory.
CODE
256 MB of RAM (Main Memory) * 1.5 = 384 MB for Virtual Memory
If
you would like to determine how much the Virtual Memory is for your
system and/or would like to configure and add more virtual memory,
follow the procedure that is shown below. The following procedure is
based on windows XP Professional.
1-1) Go to right-click My Computer and choose Properties
1-2) In the System Properties dialog box, go to Advanced tab
1-3) Click Settings button that is from the Performance frame
1-4) Once the Performance Options shows up on the screen, go to Advanced tab
1-5) Under the Advanced tab, click the Change button from the Virtual Memory frame to access to the Virtual Memory setting
Then
the Virtual Memory dialog box appears on the screen. In there, you are
able to check how much the Virtual Memory you set. If you would like to
modify the size of Virtual Memory, follow the procedure that is shown
below.
2-1) In there, select the drive letter that is used to install the Operating System
2-2) Choose the option that says, "Custom Size:"
Once
you choose that option, the setting for Initial Size and Maximum Size
become available for you to set. Initial Size (MB) means the actual
size of Virtual Memory, and Maximum Size (MB) means the maximum size of
Virtual Memory that is allowed to use.
Let's say if your system contains 512 MB of RAM, then the ideal setting for the Virtual Memory is as follows:
CODE
Initial Size (MB): 768
Maximum Size (MB): 1500
Once
you are happy with that Virtual Memory size, click the Set button from
Paging file size for selected drive to apply the setting for the
Virtual Memory size. Then click the OK button to apply the setting.
That's where you can manage and configure for the size of Virtual Memory.
Additional Information
*
To maintain the good overall system performance, you should be using
the default size of actual size for Virtual Memory and the triple the
value of the size of the main memory for the maximum size of Virtual
Memory. If you find that main memory plus virtual memory is not big
enough to load the intensive application, then you will need to add
more main memory onto your system.
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