RAM usage - increases over time?

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by rcf-dds, Aug 5, 2009.

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  1. rcf-dds, Aug 5, 2009

    rcf-dds macrumors member

    rcf-dds

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2009
    Location:
    Cleveland & Columbus, OH
    #1
    I don't know much about RAM and how it really works but here's my question:

    (i have new unibody 13" MBP w/ 4GB RAM)

    When i do a fresh restart i have anywhere up to 2.5-3GB free with basically NO applications open. But as time passes, web browsing, sleep, etc the amount of free RAM available goes down to <2GB even when i exit all apps...

    1. Is this typical? What's the explanation for RAM being eaten up over time? Is it advisable to do a fresh restart every couple days or so just to free up RAM again?

    2. Is it even common with 4GB of RAM for half (2GB) of it to be used all the time? (I'm guessing yes, but just wondering what's the explanation) For those who only have 2GB of RAM, do they always have 1GB being used? Or would even those 2GB's always be taken up?

    Thanks, sorry for the dumb q's, i dont know much about RAM but i love my new MBP!
     
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  2. BlueRevolution, Aug 5, 2009

    BlueRevolution macrumors 603

    BlueRevolution

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2004
    Location:
    Montreal, QC
    #2
    Yes.

    By my understanding (hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong), the OS allocates memory as applications are launched. They may not use all allocated memory, in which case the memory will be reallocated as new applications launch. The "free" memory is the amount of memory that has not yet been allocated.

    No need.

    Sure, for reasons mentioned above.

    Depends what they're doing with it.

    Bottom line: if it's slow, add more memory. If not, don't worry about it!

    Enjoy your new computer. :)
     
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