Virtual Memory Designation

[030108]

On http://lowendmac.com/eubanks/07/0312.html I read "...Mac OS X...uses the free space on your hard drive as "virtual memory", and it depends heavily on that virtual memory to run efficiently."

I have Leopard installed on a 50gb partition of my 250gb hard drive that I use exclusively for Leopard and applications. It has 27.95gb available.

If the quote is correct I assume that Mac OS X uses ONLY the free space on the 50gb drive partition where Leopard is installed as "virtual memory". Is there a simple way to designate/change which partition Mac OS X uses for "virtual memory" irrespective of what partition Leopard is installed on?

note: Changing partition size is not a suggestion I need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV59_if9vTw&feature=related

 

[tersono]

Yes, you can, although you'll only see a speed benefit if your swapfile is on another drive (rather than just partition). There are also some potential gotchas that rather affect the advisability of this particular hack (put simply, OS X can, in certain circumstances, lose track of the swapfile - which will affect system stability).

Recommended only for Advanced users with good knowledge of OS X and Unix.

Rather than type out the whole thing here, there's a thread on MacOSXHints that covers the essentials..

BTW - I hit the 'yes' button, but would have hit 'Yes, but don't do it' given the choice....

 

[030108]

...you'll only see a speed benefit if your swapfile is on another drive (rather than just partition). There are also some potential gotchas...

Thankyou for being so thorough with your answer. Another drive is not something I will do.

Is my "virtual memory" confined ONLY to my 50gb partition? My interpretation of your answer seems to say no.

If it is confined to my 50gb partition at what used space percentage will I encounter "slowdown" or other adverse affects?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/479381/