RAM usage

Chix0r

New Member
The company I work for just got new computers. Intel i7 2.67 GHz, 12GB RAM, running Ultimate 64. We run AutoCad, Revit (3d), Photoshop and our files generally are about 5-10MB, but recently we have some files as large as 1G (thus the recent upgrade). The problem is, even with smaller files (10MB) we still have lagging issues - not as severe as before, but they are there. I check out the system usage and CPU usage is never above 25%, RAM is never above 33%. Being a math nerd, I recognize 1/3 of 12 G is 4G... Did Ultimate 32 accidentally get installed? Nope, we are indeed running 64. I'm being told (by the computer sales man) that our files aren't big enough to fully tax the RAM, but I find that hard to believe with the lag. Working over the network or the hard drive doesn't seem to change things. I disabled the page file and did get a little more CPU usage (up to 40%). I've searched the web and other geek friends and have found little to help me. I'd think I had a bad stick of RAM if it wasn't happening on all the computers we bought. I'm at a loss. Any ideas?
 

My Computer

Try checking out the I/O Reads and I/O Other columns in the View...Select columns menu of Task Manager...Processes tab. Also, you may want to check the different memory columns in Task Manager available in "Select columns".

I wonder if your versions of Autocad, etc are 32 bit or 64 bit applications? Checking the Program Files (x86) folder will tell you (if they're there, they are 32 bit). That may be the limiting factor (but I'm not familiar with the programs, so I can't really help there). I presume that if a 32 bit program is limited to a 4gB address space, then there may be some paging going on despite the extra RAM.

I've got an i7 920 w/12 gB RAM and my memory graph in Task Manager...Performance tab usually runs above 4 gB (I've got a lot of stuff that I leave open). I have a lot of 32 bit programs and very few 64 bit programs running.
 

My Computer

The company I work for just got new computers. Intel i7 2.67 GHz, 12GB RAM, running Ultimate 64. We run AutoCad, Revit (3d), Photoshop and our files generally are about 5-10MB, but recently we have some files as large as 1G (thus the recent upgrade). The problem is, even with smaller files (10MB) we still have lagging issues - not as severe as before, but they are there. I check out the system usage and CPU usage is never above 25%, RAM is never above 33%. Being a math nerd, I recognize 1/3 of 12 G is 4G... Did Ultimate 32 accidentally get installed? Nope, we are indeed running 64. I'm being told (by the computer sales man) that our files aren't big enough to fully tax the RAM, but I find that hard to believe with the lag. Working over the network or the hard drive doesn't seem to change things. I disabled the page file and did get a little more CPU usage (up to 40%). I've searched the web and other geek friends and have found little to help me. I'd think I had a bad stick of RAM if it wasn't happening on all the computers we bought. I'm at a loss. Any ideas?


I think you are looking at the wrong numbers. Your RAM is being fully used - trust me. Disabling the page file is a big mistake. An what the sales man told you is BS.
Have a look into Task Manager > Performance tab. How much "free" memory do you have under the heading "Physical Memory" (when the system is under full load). And what is your page file (last 2 numbers bottom right).
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
What version of autocad are you running? We use solidworks and autocad and have found out that you need to use a 64-bit program to run the fastest. Another thing is that alot of those programs dont work well on more than 4 cores in a processor. I have a Dual CPU Quad Core Xeon with SolidWorks and AutoCAD that runs slow but my Turion Dual core runs faster.

One thing you can do is change the priority class by right clicking on the process in the task manager and set it as a higher priority. Also set it to only run on 2 cores...change its affinity...set Adobe to run on another..and so on...it might help too.

There are very few instances why a 3D CAD program will exceed 1 GB of RAM usage without crashing shortly afterwards...the OS just crashes after that.

With 12 GB of RAM...what is the point of a pagefile. I have 4 GB and turned it off...you will probably never reach the point when you need the hard drive as RAM with 4 GB or more.

Also in AutoCAD turn down your resolution...the more lines your CPU has to make...more memory is used and it takes longer to make. Your graphics card doesnt affect regeneration...its all up to the CPU in that case.

Merely from experience I have come across these tweaks.

Hope this helps.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion DV7-1129wm Entertainment PC
    CPU
    AMD Turion X2 RM-72 Dual Core @ 2.1GHz
    Memory
    2 x 2 GB Hyundai DDR2 400 MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 @ 256 MB
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio/SRS Premium Sound/Altec Lansing
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Laptop Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900 laptop, external 17 in LCD 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    WD Scorpio Blue 320 GB SATA 5400 RPM
    Toshiba 68 GB SATA 5400 RPM Second Drive (backup)
    PSU
    8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
    Case
    Laptop with "light up" HP Logo on outside
    Cooling
    Insane air coming out of Targus dual fan cooler
    Keyboard
    Full Keyboard with numpad
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 / Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Cable 20 MBps
    Other Info
    Used Primarily for CAD design using SolidWorks 2010.
    Also I love to watch HD movies using the HDMI output(Netflix).
    Linked to my Xbox 360 for Windows Media Center
    3 USB ports + USB/eSata
    HP Remote for Windows Media Center and Quickplay
    Internal Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
    External HP Lightscribe Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
    HP Webcam and Microphone
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