I noticed something odd while browsing the Task Manager: it's showing an allocated RAM of 40.9 GB, but I only have 16 GB installed across my two RAM slots (2x 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz). Is this something that's normal? If not, how can I reduce the amount of RAM being allocated? Here are my specs: 11th gen Intel Core i5-11600K processor running at 3.90 GHz, and an RTX 3060 Ti GPU, with driver version v576.88.
3 Answers
It’s usually okay for a one-time instance, but consistently high allocated RAM indicates you might need more physical RAM. Windows will allocate physical RAM first, but when that runs out, it uses the paging file, which is slower since it’s stored on your hard drive. Try to identify what's using so much RAM; that’ll help you decide if an upgrade is necessary.
Yes, what you're seeing is likely the paging file, which is a type of virtual memory that Windows uses when physical RAM runs low. It allows your system to manage memory more effectively, even if it’s slower than actual RAM. If you want to limit the size of the paging file, right-click on 'This PC', go to Properties, then Advanced system settings, and find the performance settings to adjust it. Just be cautious—don't set it too low. Something equal to or slightly above your physical RAM (like 16GB or at least 8GB) should work fine. Also, keep an eye on what programs might be using up your RAM; sometimes they can really eat into it.
It's mostly about the paging file. I’d recommend considering an upgrade if you're gaming. 16GB isn't quite enough these days; doubling it to 32GB would be a good idea to ensure smoother performance.
Thanks! Would it be better to add two more 8 GB sticks or replace the existing ones with two 16 GB sticks?
Either option could work! Just make sure to match the speed and timings for best performance.