Why does my pc use too much memory?

Question

I don't understand why my pc uses so much memory. I have IGB of ram. Even when I'm not running any program and the pc is idle, the task manager indicates that i'm using 50% memory, that is about 500MB, even when i exit a lot of programs running in the system tray.

My question is "what would have happened if I was using 512MB ram"?? How can I reduce memory usage?? My pc is a brand new Dell Inspiron Labtop, Centrino duo 1.73GHz, and it doesn't run fast either.

I'm so disappointed.

Answer 1

It depends what programs load at Windows startup...

Use Task Manger to view all the running processes & sort them by memory usage.

That will clearly show you what programs are using all that RAM.

If necessary .. use the same procedure to see what's using the CPU.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

ok, so go to Task Manager.......then under the Processes tab, sort the list by Mem Usage, click it twice to sort from hi to low. Now you can see what programs are using the most memory. If it says the User name is SYSTEM, LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE....don't end it. End anything that you don't need that's taking up a lot of memory.....do this by clicking the program and clicking End Process in the lower right of Task Manager, then click Yes.

Later, man

Answer 3

If you'd like to clear up some memory usage, clear up programs that startup when your computer starts. You can do this by going to start > run > type: msconfig [hit enter]. Then click startup on the right hand side. Uncheck all programs that you do not use on a daily basis. I would recommend keeping any programs that are necessary... wifi or antivirus for example.

Answer 4

WOW, that's weird.
The processor is better than mine, and mine runs pretty fast, mine's 1.3GHZ.
I'd suggest asking a computer technician to have a look at the ram slots or something.
Phone the dell helpline?
I have a toshiba and the people on that helpline are really friendly and have always solved my problems, so talking to someone who deals directly with your product will know a lot more about it trust me.

Answer 5

The downloaded stuff like games or movies go in your HARD DRIVE. It's compared to your RAM (used for fast calculations and processing) much slower and cheaper. They are both called memory. They are both replacable by better, faster or bigger (and thus more expensive) versions.

Answer 6

is it 50% memory or 50%cpu usage? if its 50% cpu usage, it must mean that your pc is using up 50% of the processing power at that certain time. but that is still too much when idle. you may have spyware, or your antivirus may be updating, or.... it really depends, since there are many factors.

Answer 7

you installed number of program like Media peayer....
uninstall all unusable program then your computer work in less memory. & you delete all unimportant file also then your computer's processing speed is more incress . if you want to rum computer in 512 mb ram then computer want virtual memory
that is a temperary strage capacity depend on you it shair the file's of ram & your computer run
if you run only 512 RAM computer show a msg "low memory".

Answer 8

well i hav 2.8 ghz pentium d and 1gb ram and its always atleast 10-20% used, even when not runnin any programs....i think its normal for it to be like dat...good question, wt if we only had 256mb..where wuld dat go??