RAM Usage / Performance

[Computer_Phreak]

Ok,

I have an ibook, 700 Mhz November 2002 edition. I have the default 128 MB RAM.

So, how can I tell how much RAM im using (terminal command), and how much I would benifit from a 512 MB stick.

Things seem to slow to a crawl with > 2 windows open or > 2 applications open at the same time.

 

[NavyIntel007]

the command is top

OS X will be slow as butt if you don't have at least 512

 

[Billicus]

OS X uses the amount of Ram you have to the best of its ability. The more Ram you have, the snappier your system is going to feel because the system can store more information in Ram that it needs to access readily. "Top" is a termintal command you can use to see your Ram usage. Process viewer (Utilities folder) can also show what percentage of your Ram each of the running system processes is using. The more Ram you have, the faster your system is. I'm not going to tell you your computer will scream with 640 MB of Ram, but it will be noticably faster than with the stock 128 MB of Ram.

 

[Computer_Phreak]

thanks...


so what happens when OS X runs out of RAM? Does it use virtual memory? How much data is being used on the Hard drive to compensate for my paltry 128 MB?

 

[MrMacMan]

I would go for it BUT:

Run this handy app before buying.

Extremly handy.

 

[alex_ant]

Originally posted by Computer_Phreak
thanks...


so what happens when OS X runs out of RAM? Does it use virtual memory? How much data is being used on the Hard drive to compensate for my paltry 128 MB?

When OS X runs out of RAM it switches to virtual memory and uses as much as it needs. Virtual memory is hugely slow. You would gain a massive speed increase by upgrading your RAM. I believe 256MB SODIMMs go for around $30 these days.

 

[kaizer]

I'm running 384MB on a 700Mhz iBook. Before the 256 upgrade, the slugggishness is unbearable, but now it's kinda okay if you're doing some light photoshop work with multiple windows.

It's still slow when I try to use iMovie.

Most of the big apps still take a long time to load, but once i'ts opened, it's okay.

 

[CrackedButter]

I've got a full load of RAM (640) in my iBook.

PID COMMAND %CPU TIME #TH #PRTS #MREGS RPRVT RSHRD RSIZE VSIZE
379 top 6.9% 0:05.61 1 14 17 200K 340K 496K 13.6M
378 tcsh 0.0% 0:00.05 1 10 15 344K 604K 788K 5.73M
377 login 0.0% 0:00.68 1 12 33 240K 392K 572K 13.7M
376 Terminal 6.0% 0:03.27 3 57 108 1.39M 5.48M+ 5.57M+ 71.8M+
371 System Pre 0.0% 0:04.46 2 85 122 2.98M 5.20M 6.68M 72.0M
367 mozilla-bi 0.8% 2:54.29 12 182 626 26.8M 24.0M 43.9M 291M
355 automount 0.0% 0:00.03 2 22 21 128K 432K 588K 14.7M
348 lookupd 0.0% 0:00.66 2 32 45 364K 524K 896K 14.9M
335 AppleModem 0.0% 0:00.32 2 59 69 704K 3.38M 2.39M 67.7M
334 modemd 0.0% 0:05.53 2 79 49 836K 1.31M 2.01M 16.9M
333 pppd 0.0% 0:00.28 1 10 31 200K 840K 372K 14.1M
320 Finder 0.0% 0:01.66 1 71 104 1.24M 7.44M 4.75M 73.6M
319 SystemUISe 0.0% 0:29.22 2 140 117 1.33M 4.21M 3.86M 69.6M
316 Dock 0.0% 0:01.33 2 85 116 836K 5.83M 4.33M 67.3M
313 pbs 0.0% 0:01.28 2 27 25 508K 808K 1.28M 14.4M