Problem with memory

[simonlewis]

My pc has 8GB of DDR2 memory but it's running at 90% i have just changed the graphics card recently to this, does anyone know why i am using so much memory could it be the graphics card ? the pc is about 7-8 years old.

I had a problem recently and just the other day i had to re-install adobe flash.

 

[Anderson]

Hi Dude.

Your system would appear to be very old, DDR2 was superseded by DDR3 a very long time ago.

Without knowing anything else about your system I would suggest that something is wrong and warrants further investigation.

Can you open up task manager and have a look at the processes running? You'll want to look for anything with high memory usage.

Post back if you want further advice, but please include more info eg Operating system.

 

[Anderson]

Just had another thought. It is possible that you're running a 32bit operating system, this would limit the amount of memory that your system can use. So even though you've got 8Gb of RAM the computer can only see 4Gb.

Can you confirm the operating system?

 

[simonlewis]

The operating system is vista 64 bit, sorry for the late reply i was out all yesterday drinking to celebrate the new year in, still not sobered up yet. *wacko*

 

[macdiddy]

After having a quick search online and finding that the 64bit version of vista supports up to and above 8gb of ram, then I think it's the new graphics card giving you problems, maybe there is some sort of conflict with your existing memory.

Can I ask did you have this problem before the change.

*pleasantry*

 

[simonlewis]

I did have a few problems which is why i changed the graphics card the computer did blue screen due to memory earlier on today but the ram was running on 40% and now 70% which is still quite high.

I still have the old graphics card which i think is a saphire radeon 57XX so i could always change it back.

 

[Anderson]

I don't see how the graphics card could be causing the memory usage but stranger things have happened.

You've got 64bit which is good, you need to look at what processes are running. You can order by memory usage and make sure you include processes from all users.

 

[Xanderzdad]

The mostly likely issue is a conflict with your old graphics card drivers.

It is normally recommended that you completely uninstall ALL the old drivers and reboot before installing the new ones.

Some graphics drivers require a little extra nudge to totally leave so do a google search for your particular brand of cards. I say cards as you will need to totally remove the drivers for the new and old cards before you reboot and then install the new drivers.

I would also run CCleaner before you reinstall just to clean the registry and ensure nothing is left.

 

[Green Bow]

If you mean you are using lots of RAM during gaming, well games do that. 8GB sounds a lot though.

The only theory I can offer is that slower RAM uses more gigabytes than fater RAM. Basically a program running on DDR3 will be able to get what it wants into the RAM faster. Therefor older RAM will hold more data in cache.

I have a DDR3 system and when I had 6GB installed it used up to about 4.7GB-5GB when it needed lots. Now I have 8GB, and for the same game it will use up to about 6.5GB. I.E. It is using proprotionally the same amount leaving the same 20% RAM free. If my theory is correct you'd push higher RAM usage.

Another example was I was running Morrowind with Overhaul 3.0. On a DDR3 graphics card it used substantially more video card RAM than my later GDDR3 card.

 

[cheeseboy]

I don't see how the graphics card could be causing the memory usage but stranger things have happened.

You've got 64bit which is good, you need to look at what processes are running. You can order by memory usage and make sure you include processes from all users.

exactly this...

Right click on the taskbar and go to "start task manager."

click on the processes tab, then click on the memory column to get it sort by usage. Also make sure you press/tick the option at the bottom for "Show processes from all users" - You should be able to see there what is using the most memory. Feel free to post screenshot or post back what you find.

 

[simonlewis]

I did what you said, i'm not sure how to take a screen shot but chrome seemed to be running quite high, i have 8gb of ram and it's running at 71%.

 

[Anderson]

Do you have many tabs open?

What extensions and/or Apps do you have installed in Chrome?

 

[Anderson]

Screenshot.

Hit Print Screen button, go to http://imgur.com press upload button and choose paste from clipboard.

Copy the link and post it back here.

 

[simonlewis]

Do you have many tabs open?

What extensions and/or Apps do you have installed in Chrome?

Yes i have quite a few tabs open.

 

[simonlewis]

Screenshot.

Hit Print Screen button, go to http://imgur.com press upload button and choose paste from clipboard.

Copy the link and post it back here.

Okay i'll try.

 

[simonlewis]

Screenshot.

Hit Print Screen button, go to http://imgur.com press upload button and choose paste from clipboard.

Copy the link and post it back here.

Okay i'll try.

 

[simonlewis]

 

[Xanderzdad]

Hi Simon

71% is well within limits but do you need so many open (bookmarks?). Try just one tab to see if the memory difference is worth bothering about.

Another thought is that you're using the 32bit Chrome. If your system will run 64bit programs then download that version for Chrome as it is faster and more stable and 'could' be more memory efficient.

 

[simonlewis]

Thanks xanderzdad didn't realize about 64 bit chrome i will try that.

 

[Anderson]

Thanks for posing the link but I can't see the image, its all screwed. Can you post a link to imgur or another IMG host service?

 

[Anderson]

Its okay, got it. Chrome isn't accounting for much if you add it all up. Also don't worry about 3264 bit applications, typically 64bit will use MORE memory.

http://i.imgur.com/04Gr7Hk.png

Also you need to show process from all users and repeat the process of sharing the screenshot from that. You need to press that button at the bottom of task manager.

 

[Anderson]

Besides an increase of memory usage, are you concerned with performance of your pc?

 

[simonlewis]

I am still having problems even though my pc is showing 8gb of ram, i'm wondering if i have faulty ram i have several tabs open and when i click on a tab the page is white for a few seconds/minutes before the page loads.

 

[Anderson]

Its okay, got it. Chrome isn't accounting for much if you add it all up. Also don't worry about 3264 bit applications, typically 64bit will use MORE memory.

http://i.imgur.com/04Gr7Hk.png

Also you need to show process from all users and repeat the process of sharing the screenshot from that. You need to press that button at the bottom of task manager.

do this please

 

[Anderson]

Also another one to try and this is a shotgun approach. Go into start, Run, type 'msconfig' without quotes and hit enter.

A new screen will appear with tabs, in the startup tab uncheck everything. Hit apply but don't reboot.

Now move to the services tab and check the box that says 'hide Microsoft services', now uncheck everything again, hit apply then reboot.

Do you still have the issue?

Dont worry, this is all easily reversed but what it will do is highlight if something you've installed is causing a problem at boot.