Windows 7: Limit RAM Cache?

Eblim · 13 Feb 2012

How do I limit or reduce memory (RAM) caching?

"Why would want that?"

Because my cache takes 4GB of memory, and I only have 6GB total. I'm already using 1.4GB for open applications, which only leaves me 400 - 900mb of RAM for a heavy graphic video game (I need approximately 2GB at the very minimum). FPS is ridiculously low (frame lag).

Eblim · 13 Feb 2012

I think I found a temporary solution!

Is it a good idea to disable "Superfetch" before I play a graphically intense video game, and re-enable it after I'm finished? I'm finding this to be a good possibility for my needs.

stormy13 · 13 Feb 2012

How about you just leave it alone. Cache is just what it says it is. It will also be freed up the minute you start a game or something else that requires the memory.

Can someone please explain cached memory?

Eblim · 13 Feb 2012

Didn't mean to upset you. As I said, it's for gaming. I know what caching does, but no memory frees when I start a game, at all. I have disabled Superfetch, and it's performance has increased significantly.

Thanks for the reply.

GeneO · 14 Feb 2012

I don't quite get that. Superfetch will preload frequently used applications, but if a running game requires RAM, it should replace the RAM used by the preloaded programs at no cost. Not arguing with what you see but maybe there is something more subtle at play.

Disabling superfetch before the game play should make no difference if it has already preloaded frequently accessed programs.

When you say no memory frees, what exactly do you mean? The working set of the game doesn't grow? How are you measuring this?

M1GU31 · 14 Feb 2012

I set prefetch and superfetch to only cache the bios for that reseaon, I just hate seeing so much ram being used. Would use 1.50-2.25gb out of my 4gb and i got it down to 1.15 and I saw no benefit in leaving it on as it would run about the same. Only thing i left it cache was the bios for the faster boot but that's about it. Anyways reason i did this is because it be using around 3gbs out of 4 when gaming and now it only uses 2. I did it by following this tutorial here on sevenforums SuperFetch - Change Prefetch Data to be Cached[2]=Performance%20Maintenance

OldMX · 14 Feb 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by M1GU31

I set prefetch and superfetch to only cache the bios for that reseaon, I just hate seeing so much ram being used. Would use 1.50-2.25gb out of my 4gb and i got it down to 1.15 and I saw no benefit in leaving it on as it would run about the same. Only thing i left it cache was the bios for the faster boot but that's about it. Anyways reason i did this is because it be using around 3gbs out of 4 when gaming and now it only uses 2. I did it by following this tutorial here on sevenforums SuperFetch - Change Prefetch Data to be Cached[2]=Performance%20Maintenance

If you disable one of the best performace options included on windows vista and seven, file and application prefetching, why dont you go back to XP then?

Prefecth does not steals memory, if you launch a game that requieres the memory used by prefetch it gets released and assigned to the needed application, and as stated o all computer related forums: Unused ram is wasted ram.

M1GU31 · 14 Feb 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by OldMX

Quote: Originally Posted by M1GU31

I set prefetch and superfetch to only cache the bios for that reseaon, I just hate seeing so much ram being used. Would use 1.50-2.25gb out of my 4gb and i got it down to 1.15 and I saw no benefit in leaving it on as it would run about the same. Only thing i left it cache was the bios for the faster boot but that's about it. Anyways reason i did this is because it be using around 3gbs out of 4 when gaming and now it only uses 2. I did it by following this tutorial here on sevenforums SuperFetch - Change Prefetch Data to be Cached[2]=Performance%20Maintenance

If you disable one of the best performace options included on windows vista and seven, file and application prefetching, why dont you go back to XP then?

Prefecth does not steals memory, if you launch a game that requieres the memory used by prefetch it gets released and assigned to the needed application, and as stated o all computer related forums: Unused ram is wasted ram.

Because windows 7 has dx11, that's why. And i like windows 7 whats wrong with me thinking differently from what you think if i see no benefit in leaving it on

Why would i go back to xp if I can do this and xp only supports dx9 so that is irrelevant to this topic.Plus i don't mind the 1sec difference for a application to open because anyways it will have to unload in the ram anyways, if it's just sitting there it's not helping or hurting me anyways.

Layback Bear · 14 Feb 2012

Can you show us this on your computer so we can see what your ram is doing.
Go to Start and type in resmon

OldMX · 14 Feb 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by M1GU31

Because windows 7 has dx11, that's why. And i like windows 7 whats wrong with me thinking differently from what you think if i see no benefit in leaving it on

Why would i go back to xp if I can do this and xp only supports dx9 so that is irrelevant to this topic.Plus i don't mind the 1sec difference for a application to open because anyways it will have to unload in the ram anyways, if it's just sitting there it's not helping or hurting me anyways.

Lol, seriously, with a radeon 5450 and gaming in dx11? Do you even have an idea about gaming in DX11? I bet you're one of the guys who vlite windows7 to get more fps on games.

Windows 7: Limit RAM Cache?

Limit RAM Cache? problems?