Virtual Memory / Page Files

Hey, guys.


I was wondering, is a page file permanent?

I just increased mine is all, and I was wondering if it is a temporary file that only lasts as long as the computing session.



Once I restart the computer, does the page file reset?



Thank you, in advance.

reply to post by Unrealised

The file itself stays around (if enabled) but the contents will change as needed by the OS. Rebooting does not free up the space the file uses.

usertwelve
reply to post by Unrealised

 

The file itself stays around (if enabled) but the contents will change as needed by the OS. Rebooting does not free up the space the file uses.

Awesome.


So, I have it set up to give some gaming a bit more 'oomph', you know?

My PC will utilize the page file as needed, but what then?

It just changes/replaces the data within it?

reply to post by Unrealised

Yes, however it's not going to do much for your game. It's basically a less than ideal fallback option when actual memory is used up. The most common situation the OS uses the page file is when you minimize an application and are not using it. If you absolutely must depend on a page file I'd ensure you have it stored on an SSD drive. Best approach is to add more memory if possible.

reply to post by Unrealised


Don't over do the page file, the page file memory runs the same as RAM but runs a lot slower then ram since it comes from the HDD. Your page file is used to hold memory for programs when you run out of RAM or to make room in RAM for the programs you are currently using (the programs that are minimized will use the Page file) so that your system runs faster.

Using a bigger page file increases the strain on the had disk. RAM is much faster reading and writing than the hard disk is.

Increasing your page file will only serve to increase the delay in the time it takes to access the files the system needs. Solid state hard disks not withstanding.

A system managed paging file is best for your windows system.

consider your computers memory to be like your physical desk..theres only so much room to hold stuff before you run out of space and memory costs a lot more than disk space so when your desk is full you put some stuff into a filing cabinet which makes room for new stuff but getting up/opening the cabinet/finding the relevant item and sitting back down takes a lot longer than just grabbing what you want from the table

making the filing cabinet bigger won't help and eventually you could end up spending so much time going to and from the cabinet that you get nothing done

generally as bigger desk (more memory) will be the best option and at the moment memory prices are pretty good so fill your boots with memory and just let windows manage the pagefile