CPU memory setting for smoothest operation.?

Question

I have an older compuer and upgrading it isn't an option. It's a Gateway 833mhtz with 256mb ram. I run software for a memory optimizer and within my system config my Paging File is set with an initial size of 381MB and a maximum size of 1152mb. Are these settings optimum? I ask this because according to my memory optimizer my "free physical memory" frequently drops down to 50mb and sometimes lower. Should I make any changes to my settings? On the Paging File or elsewere to speed this thing up?

Answer 1

The page file should be a minimum 150% of the total memory of the system. So i would recommend ~384mb minimum and about 400mb maximum. Dont waste you HDD space on your pagefile. Also make sure that your page file is located on the first dirve for best performance (Usually C:/)

Answer 2

Off Topic slightly, but some other things that you can do to ensure smoother operation of older PC's is:
**************************************************************
1. Increase HDD Perfomrance:
Open Windows Control Panel. Open System > Device Manager > Disk Drives > Generic Type 46 or 47 > Properties > Settings. Enable the box titled "DMA" by clicking in the checkbox. Reboot. This enables your hard disks to go directly to RAM rather than consulting the CPU before enabling each request. This will increase your hard disk performance.
*************************************************************
2. Defragment your hard drive(s) regularly at least once a week. It will rearrange all of your built-up file fragments into complete file blocks, which will help to increase the speed of loading programs on your hard drive.

You can use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange all of your built-up file fragments into complete file blocks, which will speed up file access in your hard drive.

Click Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

If you have multiple hard drives, click on the first one that you would like to defragment from the list.

Click Analyze to determine if you should defragment the hard drive.

Click Defragment to defragment the selected hard drive. Depending on the fragmentation of your hard drive, this process can take several minutes to a few hours.
**********************************************************
3. Remove all Programs that you will never use - even the ones that came bundled with Windows.

Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs