does Windows XP require more memory now?

ixfd64 · 2009-06-21, 06:09

One of my computers started complaining about the lack of virtual memory some time this February. It has never done this before. After Prime95 finished its then-current assignment, a first-time LL test, it switched to double checks, and later to trial factoring, citing the lack of memory.

I initially figured that something was wrong with my RAM. I consulted a few other online forums and was told that my computer needed a memory upgrade. After all, 512 MB was pretty low for today's standards. However, my computer had always performed pretty well before it started having memory problems.

I did not install any software (other than some automatic updates) during that time, so the loss of memory could not have been caused by a new program. Did a recent Windows update raise the memory requirement or something?

Anyways, I've upgraded the computer's memory to 2 GB a few days ago, so let's see how it goes.

henryzz · 2009-06-21, 07:02

it does especially after service packs
i am pretty certain that when xp came out you could cope with 256MB but now you need at least 768MB-1GB

S485122 · 2009-06-21, 08:04

Windows XP memory requirements have not really gone up since the initial release : I have an X64 installation where all system processes together require less than 170M of memory, some could perfectly be swapped out.

Another box with XP SP3 32 bits and quite a few programs open (Excel, Firefox, Outlook, Remote Desktops...) uses 480M.

The problem are the different "applications" and "services" running at startup : they tend to accumulate. Reinstalling a fresh OS with all service packs and fixes will see a dramatic speed up in boot time and memory usage.

Of course a Unix (Linux) box could work with a lot less of memory :-)

To come back to your initial inquiry, except for P-1 factoring there are no memory constraints for any of the work types.

Jacob

joblack · 2009-06-21, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfd64

Anyways, I've upgraded the computer's memory to 2 GB a few days ago, so let's see how it goes.

I've got 2 GB as well, if you use Firefox and other programs it can hit the wall.

I'm thinking about upgrading to 4GB so I have more space. You can increase your virtual memory but if you got two much programs the swapping to harddisk could decrease your overall performance.

If you have the 35 $ get two 2 GB ram pieces.

ixfd64 · 2009-06-21, 19:46

Unfortunately, my computer is a somewhat old model (it's a Dell Dimension 3000), and its memory configuration only allows up to 2 GB.

cheesehead · 2009-06-22, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfd64

its memory configuration only allows up to 2 GB.

So did the IBM 370.

lycorn · 2009-06-22, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by joblack

I'm thinking about upgrading to 4GB so I have more space.

You should then consider to upgrade the OS to a 64-bit version (in case you haven´t already) in order to make full use of the 4 GB.

But hitting the 2GB wall with XP seems quite unusual, unless it´s due to the "other programs" you didn´t specify.

joblack · 2009-06-24, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by lycorn

You should then consider to upgrade the OS to a 64-bit version (in case you haven´t already) in order to make full use of the 4 GB.

But hitting the 2GB wall with XP seems quite unusual, unless it´s due to the "other programs" you didn´t specify.

With PAE you can get around that ...

2009-06-21, 06:09	#1
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 2×5×239 Posts	does Windows XP require more memory now? One of my computers started complaining about the lack of virtual memory some time this February. It has never done this before. After Prime95 finished its then-current assignment, a first-time LL test, it switched to double checks, and later to trial factoring, citing the lack of memory. I initially figured that something was wrong with my RAM. I consulted a few other online forums and was told that my computer needed a memory upgrade. After all, 512 MB was pretty low for today's standards. However, my computer had always performed pretty well before it started having memory problems. I did not install any software (other than some automatic updates) during that time, so the loss of memory could not have been caused by a new program. Did a recent Windows update raise the memory requirement or something? Anyways, I've upgraded the computer's memory to 2 GB a few days ago, so let's see how it goes. Last fiddled with by ixfd64 on 2009-06-21 at 06:13 Reason: clarify

2009-06-21, 08:04	#3
S485122 Sep 2006 Brussels, Belgium 2×3×281 Posts	Windows XP memory requirements have not really gone up since the initial release : I have an X64 installation where all system processes together require less than 170M of memory, some could perfectly be swapped out. Another box with XP SP3 32 bits and quite a few programs open (Excel, Firefox, Outlook, Remote Desktops...) uses 480M. The problem are the different "applications" and "services" running at startup : they tend to accumulate. Reinstalling a fresh OS with all service packs and fixes will see a dramatic speed up in boot time and memory usage. Of course a Unix (Linux) box could work with a lot less of memory :-) To come back to your initial inquiry, except for P-1 factoring there are no memory constraints for any of the work types. Jacob Last fiddled with by S485122 on 2009-06-21 at 08:06 Reason: pacxks ?

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2009-06-21, 07:02	#2
henryzz Just call me Henry "David" Sep 2007 Cambridge (GMT/BST) 2³·3·5·7² Posts	it does especially after service packs i am pretty certain that when xp came out you could cope with 256MB but now you need at least 768MB-1GB

2009-06-21, 19:46	#5
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 100101010110₂ Posts	Unfortunately, my computer is a somewhat old model (it's a Dell Dimension 3000), and its memory configuration only allows up to 2 GB.