[SOLVED] Virtual memory vs Page file usage & committed memory

[ShangWang]

When I check performance monitor page file usage is something usually extremely low. For example if I set my virtual memory to 4096mb and on average usage% is 0.032, it is only 14mb.

Monitor: https://prnt.sc/1tgsen9
Page file: https://prnt.sc/1tgsfj6
Manager: https://prnt.sc/1tgsgz1

If the page file usage is so low, what is the extra 1.6GB of RAM/virtual memory that is being committed to the system? If that is not page file usage what is it?

How come we have to set a page file that is so large compared to what the page file usage is in reality which is extremely small?

 

[Koekieezz]

When I check performance monitor page file usage is something usually extremely low. For example if I set my virtual memory to 4096mb and on average usage% is 0.032, it is only 14mb.

Monitor: https://prnt.sc/1tgsen9
Page file: https://prnt.sc/1tgsfj6
Manager: https://prnt.sc/1tgsgz1

If the page file usage is so low, what is the extra 1.6GB of RAM/virtual memory that is being committed to the system? If that is not page file usage what is it?

How come we have to set a page file that is so large compared to what the page file usage is in reality which is extremely small?

you should leave the page file auto. they are far more slower and high latency, if you meant for another alternative if ram is full.

 

[ShangWang]

you should leave the page file auto.

Yep, for the most part I agree there is no difference between automatically managed and static sized, but I feel better with my current settings.

What I would like to know is what is that extra committed memory outside of physical memory if it is not just the page file.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Active ram usage is 3.9GB.
Committed ram amount is 5.6GB.
1.7GB is standby memory.

Since your physical ram is 8GB, most of active and standby memory still fits into physical ram.
Pagefile is still used very minimally.

You'll see real use of pagefile after committed memory goes past amount of physical ram.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

your OS itself will have a noticeable dedicated amount of memory.
plus any background processes or applications running.
plus Windows 10 keeps common apps & system tools "paged" into memory for quick access.
there will always be a noticeable amount used even if you think you're running nothing at all.

whether the page file is set to dynamic or you have it set to a dedicated large amount may not be noticeable to most users so unless you are running into issue regarding this, don't worry about it.

when someone is constantly running large games, video rendering software, or other applications that use very large amounts of memory it can make a noticeable difference to have a properly managed large dedicated Page File.

 

[ShangWang]

your OS itself will have a noticeable dedicated amount of memory.
plus any background processes or applications running.
plus Windows 10 keeps common apps & system tools "paged" into memory for quick access.
there will always be a noticeable amount used even if you think you're running nothing at all.

whether the page file is set to dynamic or you have it set to a dedicated large amount may not be noticeable to most users so unless you are running into issue regarding this, don't worry about it.

when someone is constantly running large games, video rendering software, or other applications that use very large amounts of memory it can make a noticeable difference to have a properly managed large dedicated Page File.

I see, so page file usage % on the monitor is not a realistic measure of how much virtual memory is actually being used, and a lot more page file is going on than one expects.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I see, so page file usage % on the monitor is not a realistic measure of how much virtual memory is actually being used, and a lot more page file is going on than one expects.

It is very realistic. In fact - it's exact.
Probably you're just understanding meaning of the values wrong.

 

[ShangWang]

It is very realistic. In fact - it's exact.
Probably you're just understanding meaning of the values wrong.

Probably haha, I'm not too good at understanding these things but I want to know so it doesn't bother me.

Like you said it is standby memory from the physical RAM, I think I was confusing myself with a certain scenario.

 

[ShangWang]

It is very realistic. In fact - it's exact.
Probably you're just understanding meaning of the values wrong.

On a side note I was looking at TRIM and was wondering about something:

I realized all the optimize & defragment app does is run TRIM on the SSD. I set it to not do a scheduled check, but set a weekly check for the WD Black application that basically does the same thing.

Optimize: Screenshot by Lightshot (prnt.sc)
WD Black: Screenshot by Lightshot (prnt.sc)

I guess it doesn't matter which one I use since both just use the TRIM command, but I should stick to the one meant for the drive or the windows app?