RAM usage

[PowerBookRelic]

Why would my computer page out if I have 400 mb of RAM free? My swap is 5mb/64mb, what does that number indicate? Also, my page in is 162,080 page out 25.

[alphaod]

Page out means it's moving stuff out of RAM; that happens when you close programs, etc.

If you have a lot of Page ins, then that's a sign you don't have enough memory.

[pesc]

It is possible to map files in memory and use paging for bringing the contents in to memory. A program may choose to do so instead of using normal read/write to the file. But this is also what happens when you start any program; the code of the program is mapped to memory and brought in as the program executes.

This means that page ins is quite normal and does not necessarily mean that you don't have enough memory.

It also means that page outs also can happen normally and does not necessarily mean that you are low on memory.

When you close a program the memory it occupied will become inactive or free. This operation will rarely need paging out.

It is simply not easy to just look at the numbers and deduce whether you should buy more memory. Sorry.

Having 25 page outs is really nothing to worry about.

[clyde2801]

You've only got 512 megs of ram (going from the machines in your sig), so you could probably assume more ram is a good idea. Come to think of it, you could almost always assume more ram is a good idea.

You should be able to stick 2 gigs in it relatively cheaply, and see if that makes a difference in your numbers.

BTW, why is this in the macbook/ibook section and not the macbook pro/powerbook folder?

[PowerBookRelic]

You've only got 512 megs of ram (going from the machines in your sig), so you could probably assume more ram is a good idea. Come to think of it, you could almost always assume more ram is a good idea.

You should be able to stick 2 gigs in it relatively cheaply, and see if that makes a difference in your numbers.

BTW, why is this in the macbook/ibook section and not the macbook pro/powerbook folder?

This is on my black MacBook 2.4 C2D with 2 GB. I guess I am not overly concerned with 25 page outs if that does not seem like a big deal. My uptime is 4 days if that makes a difference. With the iStat widget, what does the bar on the bottom of the memory section refer to? And what does the swap figure (e.g., 5mb/64mb) mean?

[Macmel]

Page out means it's moving stuff out of RAM; that happens when you close programs, etc.

If you have a lot of Page ins, then that's a sign you don't have enough memory.

That description is not correct. I have 4 Gb of RAM, I have over 105000 PI and 0 PO and I am no even close to run low on memory.
I read somewhere in MR that having more than 10-15% PO relative to PI means that you might need more memory (or having more memory will help you).
In the OP specific case, with only 25 POs, I seriously doubt he will benefit from more RAM

[PowerBookRelic]

That description is not correct. I have 4 Gb of RAM, I have over 105000 PI and 0 PO and I am no even close to run low on memory.
I read somewhere in MR that having more than 10-15% PO relative to PI means that you might need more memory (or having more memory will help you).
In the OP specific case, with only 25 POs, I seriously doubt he will benefit from more RAM

That makes sense. I do not think that I need more RAM, I just thought it was odd that it PO with free RAM available. Anyone have any more info on the Swap number, or the bar at the bottom of the iStat widgit.

[pesc]

Anyone have any more info on the Swap number, or the bar at the bottom of the iStat widgit.

I'm not sure what swap numbers you mean. Can you explain further or attach a screenshot?

Same with iStat (which I don't use). A screenshot might help.

[PowerBookRelic]

Here is a screen shot of my iStat...

[bozz2006]

wow, your CPU runs cool! the CPU on my aluminum macbook is usually 120-130 degrees Farenheit.

[pesc]

Anyone have any more info on the Swap number, or the bar at the bottom of the iStat widgit.

The first swap number is the amount of space used in your swap file(s). The second number is the total size of all your swap files.

You can see your swap files by examining the folder /var/vm (type in the path by using the "go to folder" command in the Go menu item (sorry I don't use an english Mac so I can't be more precise)). New swap files are created when needed. They can also be deleted automatically by the system when not needed anymore.

The bar at the bottom measures how much memory is "used" (wired+active). Inactive or free memory is not regarded as "used" here.

[VSMacOne]

Lol, I'm glad i just ordered a 4GB Ram kit :D

[bozz2006]

Lol, I'm glad i just ordered a 4GB Ram kit :D

you haven't turned your computer off in three weeks?!?

[dentedG4]

Lol, I'm glad i just ordered a 4GB Ram kit :D

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but i noticed on your istat you have 100% battery health and 65 cycles. I on the other hand have 93% health and 90 cycles.

Whats a quick rundown on your battery use? do you leave it plugged in at full charge often? do you mostly run off the battery? do you calibrate often? Do you run your battery down most of the way before you plug it in? Thanks!

[PowerBookRelic]

The first swap number is the amount of space used in your swap file(s). The second number is the total size of all your swap files.

You can see your swap files by examining the folder /var/vm (type in the path by using the "go to folder" command in the Go menu item (sorry I don't use an english Mac so I can't be more precise)). New swap files are created when needed. They can also be deleted automatically by the system when not needed anymore.

The bar at the bottom measures how much memory is "used" (wired+active). Inactive or free memory is not regarded as "used" here.

That is the same command for the English Mac. As far as the swap file is concerned, is it best to not mess with it, just let the OS run the SWAP, I would assume.

Also - I agree 100% battery life is awesome. I notice as I let my battery run down my battery life goes up 1 or 2 percent, but then when it gets all the way down and I plug it in, it goes back down :confused:

[Matek]

Whats a quick rundown on your battery use? do you leave it plugged in at full charge often? do you mostly run off the battery? do you calibrate often? Do you run your battery down most of the way before you plug it in? Thanks!The absolutely best thing you can do is forget about it. Don't overanalyse it, don't think you should often calibrate it, don't take it out just because you have a powerplug available, etc. It's made to be used that way and very often you may cause more harm than you think by intentionally charging/discharging it (some wisdom by Dan the man (http://www.dansdata.com/gz011.htm)). If you do that and at the same time don't leave it in the sun, you should be fine.

Also - I agree 100% battery life is awesome. I notice as I let my battery run down my battery life goes up 1 or 2 percent, but then when it gets all the way down and I plug it in, it goes back downThe measurement is more of an approximation based on voltage, etc, so it's just standard deviation.

[VSMacOne]

you haven't turned your computer off in three weeks?!?

Yup. I pretty much just put it to sleep when I carry it in my backpack, and I haven't had the need to shut it down in a while.

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but i noticed on your istat you have 100% battery health and 65 cycles. I on the other hand have 93% health and 90 cycles.

Whats a quick rundown on your battery use? do you leave it plugged in at full charge often? do you mostly run off the battery? do you calibrate often? Do you run your battery down most of the way before you plug it in? Thanks!

Apple recommends to have it plugged in as much as possible, but to make sure that you give the battery some use, and calibrate very 4-6 weeks. My regular day looks like this: plugged in over night, I unplug it in the morning to take it to work with me, then at work pretty much plugged in all day long (except for a meeting or something), then back at my house I'll use it on battery around the house for a little bit, but if I'm around the charger, it'll be plugged in. I'm NOT saying this is the ONLY way to guarantee 100% health, but it's the way I've done it, and you can see the results above :D


Also - I agree 100% battery life is awesome. I notice as I let my battery run down my battery life goes up 1 or 2 percent, but then when it gets all the way down and I plug it in, it goes back down :confused:

Don't let it go all the way down, if you can help it. Running the battery down without actually doing the Calibration steps will in fact hurt the battery health.

[pesc]

As far as the swap file is concerned, is it best to not mess with it, just let the OS run the SWAP, I would assume.


Correct, you absolutely should not mess with the swap files. I don't think OS X will let you anyway. I just mentioned it because it can be interesting to know how things work on OS X.

The system will create larger and larger swap files when needed; 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1G (but not 2G). When the system suddenly decides it needs to create a large swap file on the disk you will get a beach ball spinning for a while; quite a while if you have a slow or nearly full disk.