RAM: Free, Wired, Active, Inactive - huh?

jkaz · Oct 25, 2009, 09:27 PM

I'm quite confused by my RAM situation. I seem to be maxxing out my RAM when I only have 1 program running, the only way to clear this up is a reboot. I closed all of my programs except activity monitor and 4.5GB of RAM was 'active'. What does this mean? Why doesn't a majority of my RAM turn into free RAM when everything is closed?

With only two apps running, my free ram is done to just a tiny sliver and I can feel my machine lag when I open new browser windows(as an example)

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

spinnerlys · Oct 25, 2009, 09:31 PM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1342

http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/.../t-709176.html

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=0110161..._qdr=all&meta=

jkaz · Oct 25, 2009, 09:49 PM

thanks for the links, but i'm hoping to get some discussion going to clear up my confusion.

spinnerlys · Oct 25, 2009, 10:09 PM

So what Mac do you have and how much RAM does that machine have?
And what Mac OS X are you running?

I currently have the white MacBook (2008 model) with 4GB RAM and Mac OS X 10.6.1 running on it.

I have ten applications open.

Free: 175MB
Wired: 625MB
Active: 2.15GB
Inactive:1.07GB
Used: 3.83GB

Sometimes little lags occur by opening a new Safari (4.0.3) tab, but nothing major.

Mac OS X is designed to handle RAM efficiently, assigning memory to the Applications that need it. Also what good are 4GB of RAM if it's not used to the full extent?

chill. · Oct 25, 2009, 11:57 PM

i'm going to bet that the ram you're using is incompatible, or you have too much ram for your system. some computers can only process 3/4/6 gigs of ram maximum

however, there is just too little information. you need to post system specs, whether you've had troubles in the past, if it's apple ram or 3rd party ram, how much ram, etc. etc.

jkaz · Oct 26, 2009, 05:00 PM

8 core @ 2.8 GHz
8 GB RAM:
Riser A/DIMM 1 2GB
Riser A/DIMM 2 2GB
Riser B/DIMM 1 2GB
Riser B/DIMM 2 2GB

On 10.6.1

ram was purchased from apple.

Oct 25, 2009, 09:27 PM	#1
jkaz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Upper Mid West	RAM: Free, Wired, Active, Inactive - huh? I'm quite confused by my RAM situation. I seem to be maxxing out my RAM when I only have 1 program running, the only way to clear this up is a reboot. I closed all of my programs except activity monitor and 4.5GB of RAM was 'active'. What does this mean? Why doesn't a majority of my RAM turn into free RAM when everything is closed? With only two apps running, my free ram is done to just a tiny sliver and I can feel my machine lag when I open new browser windows(as an example) Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

Oct 25, 2009, 09:31 PM	#2
spinnerlys macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: with the serial eye	http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1342 http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/.../t-709176.html http://www.google.com/cse?cx=0110161..._qdr=all&meta= __________________ Like posting redundant threads? --> --> --> anonymous self help group: MRoogle propaganda I decided to be an obnoxious arse today ... or how to butcher your mother's tongue.

Oct 25, 2009, 10:09 PM	#4
spinnerlys macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: with the serial eye	So what Mac do you have and how much RAM does that machine have? And what Mac OS X are you running? I currently have the white MacBook (2008 model) with 4GB RAM and Mac OS X 10.6.1 running on it. I have ten applications open. Free: 175MB Wired: 625MB Active: 2.15GB Inactive:1.07GB Used: 3.83GB Sometimes little lags occur by opening a new Safari (4.0.3) tab, but nothing major. Mac OS X is designed to handle RAM efficiently, assigning memory to the Applications that need it. Also what good are 4GB of RAM if it's not used to the full extent? __________________ Like posting redundant threads? --> --> --> anonymous self help group: MRoogle propaganda I decided to be an obnoxious arse today ... or how to butcher your mother's tongue.

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Oct 25, 2009, 09:49 PM	#3
jkaz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Upper Mid West	thanks for the links, but i'm hoping to get some discussion going to clear up my confusion.

Oct 25, 2009, 11:57 PM	#5
chill. macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2008	i'm going to bet that the ram you're using is incompatible, or you have too much ram for your system. some computers can only process 3/4/6 gigs of ram maximum however, there is just too little information. you need to post system specs, whether you've had troubles in the past, if it's apple ram or 3rd party ram, how much ram, etc. etc.

Oct 26, 2009, 05:00 PM	#6
jkaz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Upper Mid West	8 core @ 2.8 GHz 8 GB RAM: Riser A/DIMM 1 2GB Riser A/DIMM 2 2GB Riser B/DIMM 1 2GB Riser B/DIMM 2 2GB On 10.6.1 ram was purchased from apple.