2015 13" RAM Usage

[Ace2617]

Hey everyone,

I have an early 2015 13" rMBP with the standard 8 GB of RAM. I just had a question about RAM usage and overheating, etc.

I used to have an 11" MacBook Air with only 4 GB of RAM. When it would get slow, I'd check the Activity Monitor and it routinely used up about 3 GB of the available 4.

Now with the MBP, I do mostly the same stuff as I did with the Air. I use it for College and my job, which is writing. Nothing too intense at all. However, the fan(s) have been coming on a lot lately, and they are really loud. I just checked activity monitor, and it said I was using 7 GB of the 8 GB of RAM. Anyone know why this is?

The only thing I can think of is I use Chrome. But wow. As I type this, the fan is extremely loud. I have about 7 Chrome tabs open, and 1 Word Doc, nothing else. And the computer is on fire, it's so hot.

But back to the RAM, does it simply use more because there is more? I was just confused as to why I would use up so much more than my old MBA did, when I generally use it in the same way.

Thanks

 

[JTToft]

But back to the RAM, does it simply use more because there is more?

- You got it. It'll use what it can to provide a smooth experience. But it prioritises well, so any RAM that isn't being utilised for anything important can be reallocated for something different in an instant.

What you need to pay attention to rather than total used RAM is the Memory Pressure graph in Activity Monitor. If that's all green, you're in great shape.

Fan noise is largely unrelated to RAM usage. But perhaps quit using Chrome if it causes undue resource consumption for you.

 

[Ace2617]

- You got it. It'll use what it can to provide a smooth experience. But it prioritises well, so any RAM that isn't being utilised for anything important can be reallocated for something different in an instant.

What you need to pay attention to rather than total used RAM is the Memory Pressure graph in Activity Monitor. If that's all green, you're in great shape.

Fan noise is largely unrelated to RAM usage. But perhaps quit using Chrome if it causes undue resource consumption for you.

Thanks for the response. The Pressure Graph was all green last time I was in activity monitor, which sounds good. This helped a lot, thanks.