Memory Software

Are those memory enhancement programs really effective? I've heard mixed reviews just like the registry cleaning software. I see a lot of free memory programs on this site and I'd definitely use one if I thought it would actually benefit. Please advise.

 

Don't really know if it helps, but I'm using FreeRAMxp on my machine. Gives you the amount of RAM available in MBs and can be configured to autofree whenever RAM gets to a size that you specify. Or you can right click and free whenever you want.
I feel better just for knowing how much is available.

 

hrlow2 Do you notice any slowdown in your machine's performance?

 

Have compared performance with and without FreeRam enabled. Cannot detect any slowdown.

 

A second vote for FreeRAM XP Pro 1.52 from http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1670

MG members vote it Rating: 4.78/5 (557 votes).
Shows as WIN ALL, but not required for Vista as Vista has its own memory management software.

A great program, especially for PC's that have minimum RAM installed. Essential on any PC I am associated with.
Uses 3.6Mb on my laptop, and no CPU cycles except for the brief time it frees up RAM.

Bazza

 

Using 3.6MB on your laptop? Uses only 1.695MB on my desktop.Desktop is P4 2.6GHz with 1GB of PC3200 RAM. Wonder if that affects things, although I wouldn't think that it should.

 

The problem I see with most memory "cleaners" and "enhancers" is that they work by filling up the ram really fast, forcing Windows to push other items to the pagefile. Then it frees up it's own filler ram, and it seems like an increase in ram.

However, the overall effect of this is that other programs have their information sent to the much slower pagefile. So when you go back to the internet, for example, after cleaning, it has to read the disk to load all of that information back to the ram. The overall effect is slower performance until all of those programs have their data pulled back into the much faster memory.

Vista features ReadyBoost for this reason. It fills your memory with low-priority items (which are flushed out as you need ram) (here's an example image: http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2821/taskmanagerperformancetwy4.png , Vista increases performance with ReadyBoost by lowering the "Free" memory under Physical Memory and using it as "Cached" memory, although the Cached memory is cleared immediately as needed to start programs). Vista creates this cache based on programs you commonly use, so it can help increase startup times of programs you commonly use.

In my opinion, memory optimizers are a waste of time, effort, and sometimes money. However, everyone has their own opinion, and quite often tend to do things just because it has a cosmetic appeal (more free ram! (that most people don't immediately need to use in another application)).

 

Like many things SW related there are three & 1/2 sides to the coin. ) Apps that are running can generally use memory from three areas (2 RAM & 1 hd cache). Depending on how well they clean up after themselves will affect real RAM memory significantly. Most proggies written in Assembler do a good job. Some written in C, C++ etc and particulalry those written in variations of Basic may not clean-up as well.

Second, is how much real RAM you have. Cheap these days, but less than 513 K on an XP you better have a good memory cleaner/defrag running. If you are using Vista with anything less than 1 GB, heavens' forbid. On an XP with >= 1 GB RAM or Vista with >=2 GB, I likely wouldn't waste my time with a RAM proggy _given_ the nature of my PC usage which is the 1/2 part.

Finally, there is the RAM cleaner/defragger/enhancer itself. The code (how written and what exactly it does) can make a lot of difference. Just like with some HD Defraggers, some are great some not. Some are fast some not. And so on.

My self on one of my XP machines with 768 MB RAM and ~ 1 GB hd cache, I benefit from a RAM proggy. (Proved running available benchmarks.) The one I like best is Speed It Up Pro.

cheers. JoW

 

to American
You say that ReadyBoost fills your RAM with low-priority items and flushes them out when you need the RAM?
Where is the sense in that? Low-priority items could be programs that you never use or very seldom use. Why load just to unload? I would rather have mine free right from the get-go.

 

Maybe 3rd vote for FreeRAM... dont know that much about it (not a techy or geeky), have it set to 'free' mem only at very high thresholds (have quite a bit of memory in laptop).

Assume it doesnt hurt anything to have it available as a warning device for 'emergency' situations (maybe that placebo effect) ?

For a while it seemed like the makers, 'YourWare Solutions', were 'out of business', but it looks like their web site may be more current ?