Inactive RAM

[bbadalucco]

So I currently have 18gb of RAM in my MacPro (2008). When I'm using HandBrake after 30 mins or so it shows 17.98gb used with around 15gb free. After reading it sounds like the "inactive" ram will be allocated when needed, my question is would the sytem benefit from more RAM or do I already have more than enough?

I don't really want to buy more ram regardless, but I was curious.

 

[plinden]

What are your page outs like? If the ratio of page ins to page outs is high (mine is currently 10:1), you don't need more RAM.

 

[Tesselator]

You can never have enough RAM! Yes, you would benefit from more RAM. But whether or not it would be worth the price (after already having 18 GB) is the question you need to ask yourself. Pageouts may or may not tell you the answer to your question. How often do you see your memory usage approaching 90% or passing it?

 

[alphaod]

It's when you have a substantial amount of your RAM as 'Wired' or 'Active' that is a sign that you can use more more.

 

[bbadalucco]

You can never have enough RAM! Yes, you would benefit from more RAM. But whether or not it would be worth the price (after already having 18 GB) is the question you need to ask yourself. Pageouts may or may not tell you the answer to your question. How often do you see your memory usage approaching 90% or passing it?

Used is past 90% daily...however at the same time whenever Used is past 90%, Inactive is around 15gb.

 

[Infrared]

So I currently have 18gb of RAM in my MacPro (2008). When I'm using HandBrake after 30 mins or so it shows 17.98gb used with around 15gb free. After reading it sounds like the "inactive" ram will be allocated when needed, my question is would the sytem benefit from more RAM or do I already have more than enough?

I don't really want to buy more ram regardless, but I was curious.

I think you probably have more than enough. As long as you're
not getting large numbers of pageouts, I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[J the Ninja]

Used is past 90% daily...however at the same time whenever Used is past 90%, Inactive is around 15gb.

"Used" includes Inactive RAM, which is literally in use, but not really being used from a standpoint of "Do I have enough RAM"

 

[Tesselator]

Yeah, but it's MUCH faster - so still advantageous to have as much of it as possible. Where is the limit? I dunno but some sever MB's (even under $500) allow 144GB. I imagine 30 to 50 GB would be "enough" for a typical day's work. For RAM based flip-books that so many video editors incorporate even 144GB might not be enough.