Memory management

[RichardBeer]

As I understand it, OS X should not perform page outs or use swap file unless there is not enough available memory. However recently I've found that I've been seeing said page outs.

What strikes me as odd is that I have 4GB of RAM, and yet I run a web browser, an instant messenger, a 3D game or so like World of Warcraft and Second Life, and iTunes. For these common uses I'd have thought that 4GB should be more than enough.

I'm not noticing any performance problems; it just struck me as odd, I suppose what I want to ask is, is it normal?

PS: Just in case the attachment is not showing, it's usually just a few MB on the swap file and the same on the page outs, usually after around six hours of use.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

______________________________________________________
Have a look at Activity Monitor (Applications / Utilities /) and select All Processes and sort by Real Memory to see what the culprit may be.
Also check the "System Memory" tab to see what your "Page ins:", "Page outs:" and "Swap used:" are.

image below uses sorting by CPU as an example

Further reading:

Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor
Making The Most of Activity Monitor
What Is Activity Monitor (or How to Take Your Mac's Pulse)​

______________________________________________________​

 

[42streetsdown]

You are worrying too much. OS X manages memory quite well, and as long as you aren't experiencing performance problems don't worry about it.

 

[GGJstudios]

You don't need to worry if you occasionally have page outs. The only time you need to be concerned is if they're significant and frequent. Also, be aware that the page outs shown is a cumulative number since your last restart. You may go 3 weeks with no page outs, then have enough memory demands that you page out for a few minutes, then run for several more weeks with no page outs. If you're not paging out significantly and frequently under normal use, don't worry about it.

 

[RichardBeer]

Ah yes, sometimes it won't even page out at all. I just wondered if it was a harmless occurrence on such a small scale or if it was a problem. Performance is totally unaffected.

Thanks 🙂

 

[freedevil]

I have 3GB, you're doing fine