how do you tweak your computers Virtual memory to improve gaming performance?

Question

my current virtual memory settings for my C: drive are...Initial Size (MB)--384 Maximum Size (MB)--768. My system RAM is 256 MB.

Answer 1

System Managed Size. = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_memory


How to set performance options in Windows XP = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417

Virtual Memory in Windows XP = http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php = Pagefile in Windows XP = http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/sysdm_advancd_perform_change_vmpagefile.mspx?mfr=true

http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/gazette/2004/20041201_defrag_ram_utility_and_memory_leak.htm

http://www.samspublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=25448&rl=1

Also see = MS Support Knowledge Base (KB) = http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?spid=global&query=virtual+memory&catalog=LCID%3D1033&pwt=false&title=false&kt=ALL&mdt=0&comm=1&ast=1&ast=2&ast=3&ast=8&ast=9&mode=a&x=18&y=13

How to configure paging files for optimization and recovery in Windows XP = http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314482

+ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417 = How to set performance options in Windows XP
+ To change it: computer/propertes/advanced/performance/advanced/at the bottom change it.
Memory = shsc.info/WindowsMemoryManagement = http://shsc.info/WindowsMemoryManagement

I found that it's best to have windows set to manage virtual memory, and defragment at least once a week to keep free space on the hard drive. = ( "system managed size"). To change it: computer/propertes/advanced/performance/advanced/at the bottom change it.

Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/System/Advanced tab/Performance, Settings button/Advanced tab/Virtual Memory, Change button/bullet
Virtual Memory and Pagefile in Windows XP = http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

Also it is possible that you could use more ram. How much ram do you have?

Test your ram with these: = Memtest86+ here: http://www.memtest.org


Go to and put in your system specs at = http://www.crucial.com/support/install.asp = "Memory Advisor™ tool will show you exactly the right upgrade for your computer." + http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner

For a good price see: = http://www.newegg.com and/or

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp

http://malaysia.search.yahoo.com/search?p=%22++windows+xp+virtual+memory+%22&y=All+the+Web&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&x=wrt

Answer 2

I think that video card is a laptop integrated chipset which will not work to well with games. It ain't a bad one though. when youj run the system check to see if you can run the game it just looks at the cards options not the card compadibility with the game. Upgrading ram would help a little since it is getting its vram from your main ram. Also you can run the game in a high process (warning this could make your computer unstable meaning you may get a few crashes) in xp to do this all you have to do is start the game then alt tab out of it then press ctrl alt delete then click the processes tab then right click the process of the game and go to the set priority option and click high it will give you a warning and then click continue then go back into your game. This will help a little. But really graphics card is limiting it.

Answer 3

Double your RAM now, they are cheaper again but not for long.

Virtual memory is inherently slow because it uses the hard drive. It could be much slower if your drive is 5400 rpm, only UDMA1 and fragmented.

Try this NO COST solution to improve gaming performance:
1. Use 16bit color instead of 32bit.
2. Use lower screen resolution
3. Use lower quality game settings

Answer 4

You need a card with more video RAM, virtual RAM is too slow to be of any use in gaming.

When your computer needs more memory for graphics, it steals it from system memory, which is also too slow.

Answer 5

clear up your drive as much as you can.
You then want to set your virtual memory to 2.5 to 3 times your physical memory for both minimum and maximum (keep the same to decrease fragmentation)
Physical memory makes all the difference though, and with 256MB I think you would prefer to have more.

Answer 6

there are some software but they dont help so if u want to increase ur memory buy ram or if u dont want ur computer to use ur ram while ur playing games buy a graphic card