Ram "Cache" in Task Manager?

[JBURNS489]

So I don't really have an issue just more of a question. What does Cached Memory mean in the task manager? I have an I7 4790k not overclocked cpu, gigabyte z97 gaming 7 mobo, 16gb (8x2) ripjaws g skill 1600 ram, and a evga g2 750w psu all installed on samsung pro 256gb ssd with a hdd for mass storage.

I am trying to figure out what this means ^^. It shows about 4gb of ram as "Free" which I assume is the same thing as usable, and a huge 10gb of ram in cache. I thought RAM was basically cache memory by definition? If it is measuring something else, should I lower it? and how lol thank you

 

[cilliers]

Please click on the applications tab and arrange by memory footprint. Please post that screenshot so we can see what is hogging the mem

 

[JBURNS489]

Here ya go.

 

[cilliers]

How many user accounts are currently logged onto this PC?

 

[mrmike_49]

question is what does "cached", "available" and "free" mean in Task Manager. I'm guessing this is Win7, since Win 8 has "Committed" as a category

 

[cilliers]

Looking at this again, it seems that you have a fair amount of free mem. Read this: http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/114504-diff-between-available-free-physical-memory.html

 

[cilliers]

the "cached" just means "RAM with stuff in it that can be freed if needed", your numbers look fine.

 

[JBURNS489]

Just 1...I built this pc about a month ago and I only have 1 account made. I don't really experience any slow downs or freezes, no BSOD or any weird behavior. Temps are better than I was hoping for (Max 68c under stress test) and I really have no complaints. I am however, waiting on my bank account so I can purchase a graphics card. I am currently using integrated graphics if that means anything. Even though it only shows about 4gb as available, it does show only 13% of memory as being utilized. I just don't understand the large cache, unless I am missing something

 

[JBURNS489]

thank you all for the responses!