Virtual Memory settings

[kspeel]

Running windows XP and have 512 MB of ram and 2.29 GHZ processor. Max page file is 742 MHZ. What should I set this at in both fields under custom for max performance?

[ua549]

I'd use 768MB for both settings.

For much better performance at very low cost, increase the amount of memory from 512MB to 1GB.

[Train]

I just leave the minimum and set the max for about 1500MB and forget it.
Anyway, this subject is contriversial so expect others to say different things about it.

I tend to do custom video work and opening up the max speeds things up for me. Been know to have to give it a 15 GB partiton a time or three to stop running out memory errors. And unless you are getting that error, you should do just fine where you are at.

Adding another 512 for a total of 1 GB of ram is the best thing to do to speed things up.

XP = 1 GB ram
Vista = 2 GB
Vista (64 bit) = 4 GB of ram

Those are optimum ram values per OS.

[kspeel]

With minimum do you me the intial size setting ? They are both set on 742 MB right now

[Welshjim]

kspeel--ua549's recommendation (1.5 times your RAM) for Initial Size is what Microsoft recommends.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d....mspx?mfr=true
You can increase the Maximum (to say, 1500MB), but you then could be wasting HD space.
The "Correct" amount depends on what you do with the PC. Some applications require more. You will get a message from the PC if you have set either too low.
If you want tons of detail
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

EDIT--Sorry. I was typing while all others were posting. But at least we are more or less saying the same thing.