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Cached RAM on Win7

  • 17-01-2011 9:26pm
    #1
    Jackobyte
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,321 ✭✭✭


    I was just wondering what cached RAM means? I have 4gb RAM but under Task Manager, my available RAM is only 3gb while the other 1gb is in under cached. Doe that mean only 3gb of RAM are working or what?


Comments

  • #2
    Jumpy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    No, the cached memory is storing what it believes the system will need repeatedly.
    Its like IE storing a cache of objects from a website you visit so it doesnt have to re-download.


  • #3
    Jackobyte
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,321 ✭✭✭Jackobyte


    Jumpy wrote: »
    No, the cached memory is storing what it believes the system will need repeatedly.
    Its like IE storing a cache of objects from a website you visit so it doesnt have to re-download.
    Should I empty it every so often so?


  • #4
    Odaise Gaelach
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,235 ✭✭✭Odaise Gaelach


    Windows Vista and 7 use a service called SuperFetch. It caches your most recently-used programs in memory so they'll start faster when you open them.

    SuperFetch uses memory that's free but not in use by any programs, on the doctrine that memory that's not being used is wasted and should be put to good use. If it turns out that some of SuperFetch's cached memory is needed then it will free up the required memory.

    EDIT:
    Jackobyte wrote: »
    Should I empty it every so often so?

    No. Windows will automatically free cached memory if it needs it.


  • #5
    TommyQ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭TommyQ


    The reason your Task Manager is registering only 3 gigs is most likely because your Operating System is a 32 bit operating system. 32bit Operating Systems can only see 3.23 gigs of ram so dispite your having 4 gigs in your machine it will never be able to use all 4 unless you update your Operating System to a 64bit version.


  • #6
    Jackobyte
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,321 ✭✭✭Jackobyte


    TommyQ wrote: »
    The reason your Task Manager is registering only 3 gigs is most likely because your Operating System is a 32 bit operating system. 32bit Operating Systems can only see 3.23 gigs of ram so dispite your having 4 gigs in your machine it will never be able to use all 4 unless you update your Operating System to a 64bit version.
    How do you check? It is a brand new laptop which is meant to have 64bit on it.


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  • #7
    TommyQ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭TommyQ


    Jackobyte wrote: »
    How do you check? It is a brand new laptop which is meant to have 64bit on it.

    If you right click on My Computer and Choose properties it'll tell you the Operating System and the system type.


  • #8
    Jackobyte
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,321 ✭✭✭Jackobyte


    TommyQ wrote: »
    If you right click on My Computer and Choose properties it'll tell you the Operating System and the system type.
    It's 64bit


  • #9
    Port Royale
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Port Royale


    Jackobyte wrote: »
    I was just wondering what cached RAM means? I have 4gb RAM but under Task Manager, my available RAM is only 3gb while the other 1gb is in under cached. Doe that mean only 3gb of RAM are working or what?
    • Total is the amount of RAM installed on your computer
    • Cached refers to the amount of physical memory used recently for system resources
    • Available is the amount of memory that's immediately available for use by processes, drivers, or the operating system
    • Free is the amount of memory that is currently unused or doesn't contain useful information (unlike cached files, which do contain useful information)


    .


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