12+ gig page file: What to do?

[sygnus21]

I know this has been debated a few times but…

I just upgraded my i7-950 system from 6 to 12gig of RAM with some Corsair Dominator GT modules (3 x 4gig) and all is swell and good.

However, I was… "reminded" by my hard drive space that the page file also increased with the additional RAM.

So, my question… with 12gig of memory, should I decrease the page file from 12 to 6gig?

I normally let Windows manage the page file, but with a 12 page file now, I’m thinking that’s too much and want to rein it in.

BTW I have the page file on my OS drive (256gig SSD drive), but I have plenty of space left. I’ve also got a 120gig SSD drive in the system that I use as my photo processing drive. Should I move the page file there?

Thoughts???

Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have 12 gigs of ram and I have never had a problem just letting Windows 7 take care of page filing.

 

[sygnus21]

Well I already said I didn't have a problem letting Windows manage the page file; I just question the need for a 12gig page file.

 

[Layback Bear]

My understanding of page filling.
When your system is running low on ram because of use it will use page filing to your SSD. With 12 gigs of ram that most likely won't happen very much. If your page filing is set at 12 gigs and the system only needs 2 gigs of page filing that is all that it will use. With a hard drive page filing could cause fragmentation but with a SSD you won't have that problem to worry about. If your SSD is without defects using it won't hurt it. All SSD's I have read about warranty according to the amount of time its used not how many reads or wrights have been done. If you use a lot of high memory demanding programs you might get into page filing a lot more and then you could shift your page filing to another drive but in most cases with 12 gigs of ram that won't happen. Your operating system is on your 256 gig SSD if Windows is managing your page filing it is using your 256 gig SSD for page filing and it will not hurt your SSD. That is why I would let Windows take care of it for you. That being said you could set it at 6 gigs max if you like but I don't believe it will matter one way or the other.
Your first post stated things were swell and good. I would leave them swell and good if it was my computer. You will not hurt your SSD or ram.

 

[sygnus21]

The question still remains...

My understanding of page filling.
When your system is running low on ram because of use it will use page filing to your SSD. With 12 gigs of ram that most likely won't happen very much. If your page filing is set at 12 gigs and the system only needs 2 gigs of page filing that is all that it will use. With a hard drive page filing could cause fragmentation but with a SSD you won't have that problem to worry about.

Right, that's my understanding as well. Which is why I question the need for 12.

If your SSD is without defects using it won't hurt it. All SSD's I have read about warranty according to the amount of time its used not how many reads or wrights have been done. If you use a lot of high memory demanding programs you might get into page filing a lot more and then you could shift your page filing to another drive but in most cases with 12 gigs of ram that won't happen.

Right, I get that as well. As a photographer I run both Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6 to process 70+ megabyte RAW files, and often have iTunes playing in the background, yet I've never had memory issues with the 6gig of RAM, or a 6gig page file.

The doubling of RAM was simply help speed up the process of both Lightroom & Photoshop. Which seems to fly now.

Your operating system is on your 256 gig SSD if Windows is managing your page filing it is using your 256 gig SSD for page filing and it will not hurt your SSD. That is why I would let Windows take care of it for you. That being said you could set it at 6 gigs max if you like but I don't believe it will matter one way or the other

Yeah, not only do I understand that, but that's exactly how I have it, and stated that. However, I still question the need for a 12gig page file.

My thinking... If Windows operated fine with the 6gig page file, now that I have 12gig installed, why should I not drop the page file back down to 6, and save myself 6gig of hard drive space. Yeah, I'm not hurting for HD space, but still, I question the need for a 12gig page file.

As you say, I don't see Windows using the entire 12gig file. I agree, and in fact, often thought about dropping the file size down even when it was at 6gig; instead I just let Windows manage it because it was only 6gig. Now, 12 seems a bit too much, and I'm not sure it'll ever get used. Thus my question.

Your first post stated things were swell and good. I would leave them swell and good if it was my computer. You will not hurt your SSD or ram.

I'm not worried about hurting the SSD drive, nor have I ever worried about that. And though things are good and well, they were also that way with 6. I just swapped, and increased the RAM for better performance. However, my question remains... with 12gig of RAM installed, do I really need a 12gig page file?

I'm just trying to find thoughts/opinions on the question.

Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

What you should do or not do is your decision.
That all the information I can give you with my 3 brain cells.
Their is no right or wrong way. Try it both ways and see which way Windows 7 and you like.
As your first sentence in your first posted states: I know this has been debated a few times but…

Their will be others drop by to post.
Sorry I can't help you more.

 

[sygnus21]

What you should do or not do is your decision.
.

So what was the point of my post? :sarc:

I know this has been debated a few times but…

I just upgraded my i7-950 system from 6 to 12gig of RAM with some Corsair Dominator GT modules (3 x 4gig) and all is swell and good.

However, I was… "reminded" by my hard drive space that the page file also increased with the additional RAM.

So, my question… with 12gig of memory, should I decrease the page file from 12 to 6gig?

I normally let Windows manage the page file, but with a 12 page file now, I’m thinking that’s too much and want to rein it in.

BTW I have the page file on my OS drive (256gig SSD drive), but I have plenty of space left. I’ve also got a 120gig SSD drive in the system that I use as my photo processing drive. Should I move the page file there?

Thoughts???

Thanks.

Yeah I'm looking for opinions. Sorry you couldn't help.

Later.

 

[4wd]

I've been doing this for the last 5 years or more: min 200 MB max 4000 MB. Set the max to whatever you want. Never ever spotted any instance where it went over min. Check the size now and then, most likely it'll stay put on the min setting. Test it out and see how you like it.

 

[pbcopter]

Currently with my 120GB SSD, I have a 800MB page file on the SSD and let Windows manage an additional page file on a 2TB HHD. I have had no issues. I have 16GB of RAM.

Originally, I had set a 1024MB page file on the SSD (no other page file set) with the same size RAM and again no issues.

If it weren't for the fact that I chose not to have a near 20GB page file using space on my SSD, I would let Windows manage it entirely.

Just my opinion.

 

[Dwarf]

I agree. Here is how I've set my paging file (PF) up. Each OS has a 1GB fixed size PF on the SSD OS partition. They also share a dedicated 24GB partition on one of my HDDs, identified by P, and this is System Managed.

 

[sygnus21]

If it weren't for the fact that I chose not to have a near 20GB page file using space on my SSD, I would let Windows manage it entirely.

Just my opinion.

This is exactly the type of opinion I'm looking for, and it echoes my thoughts. I'm thinking that a page file larger than 6gig may be a waste of space.

Anyway Windows only created a 12gig page file for me so I may leave it for now, especially since my OS SSD drive is 256gig and I'm only using 96 of it with the file.

Thanks.

I agree. Here is how I've set my paging file (PF) up. Each OS has a 1GB fixed size PF on the SSD OS partition. They also share a dedicated 24GB partition on one of my HDDs, identified by P, and this is System Managed.

View attachment 244546

Thanks for chiming in Dwarf, that's a good suggestion. May I ask, what is the system managed file set to on "P" drive? And how much memory do you have?

Thanks.

 

[Dwarf]

I've got 16GB of RAM, and the P drive is one of 3 partitions on one of my 500GB HDDs (the other 500GB HDD is currently unallocated), alongside U for Users and W for Wallpapers (not shown). I have allocated 24GB (1.5x RAM) for this partition, but have allowed Windows to manage it dynamically.

 

[sygnus21]

Thanks. I'll probably do what you're doing and see how it goes.

 

[Dwarf]

You're welcome.

 

[sygnus21]

Just to double check, the system will used the file first on the main drive, than, if needed use the other drive? In your case, the OS drive first, then "P" drive, right?

 

[Dwarf]

I believe that to be the case.

 

[sygnus21]

Cool. As I said before, I see no reason for a large page file if you've got 6/8 or more gig of RAM. These are the thoughts and opinions I was looking for. Going to adjust mine now and see how it goes from there.

Thanks.

Well I decided to split 6gig between my two SSD drives - 3 gig apiece. Going to leave it like that till, or if, I run into issues.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Later.

 

[Layback Bear]

sygnus21 when you get done setting up your system page filing could you post what you decided on.

 

[sygnus21]

sygnus21 when you get done setting up your system page filing could you post what you decided on.

I did; see my edited post above. Here's what it looks like...



Thanks

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks.