Is 1 Gb memory use at idle OK? (slow computer)

Callender said:

1Gb RAM usage with nothing much running is not high in my opinion.

Your Opera & Firefox RAM usage does seem high though.

Opera is 64 bit version.

Thanks. I wish I had noted the RAM use when the computer was right out of the box (2-1/2 years ago). I guess that raises the question of what - if anything - can slow down your computer without obviously high RAM use. Either way, my educated guess is that the process list is worth looking into, so I started this thread.

Also, the computer is slow even without Opera or Firefox running. That being said, my Opera will only go down to 100 K with no tabs open at all. I wonder if it's the email and news feeds. Firefox with no tabs open and no add-ons is 100 K; with add-ons it's 300 K. However they're all deal-breaker essential for me personally

Layback Bear said:

I see you have two threads with the same subject and problem.

Yes - this one is winding down and the new one - unlike this one - is specifically focused on the running processes and finding out whether there are too many of them, or malicious ones. This thread was very helpful in narrowing down the question.