1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

WinXP without Swap file. Can this be done to my specs?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Lighthammer, 2008/02/13.

  1. 2008/02/13
    Lighthammer

    Lighthammer Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/11/20
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am building a new computer. Here are a few of the specs.

    Quad Core Intel Processor

    4 x 2048 DDR2 PC6400 memory = 8192 MB of ram

    Windows XP 64-Bit


    Here is what I want to do. I want to do away with the paging file/virtual file/swap file (Whatever you want to call it) and keep everything in the ram. I'm installing the 64-bit version of XP so it can read the high amount of memory that will be on the system.

    Can this be done efficiently? Some say that programs require a swap file to run (like Adobe Photoshop) and some say that because I won't be involving the disk at all, then everything will run much faster because it will write to memory and memory only.

    I am aware that the Asus EEE does not have a swap file on due to it's limited disk size and the fact that it is a SSD. Those people don't seem to have any problems with their programs with not using a swap file.

    Your thoughts?
     
    Lighthammer,
    #1
  2. 2008/02/13
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,317
    Likes Received:
    252
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2008/02/13
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    This is true. Some games won't run, either.
     
    broni,
    #3
  5. 2008/02/13
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/06/07
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    2
    This will be a challenge for XP, primarily finding drivers and software for XP / 64-bit. The industry has not / will not / gave up supporting this version of XP. I would recommend going to Vista.

    See the following two articles ...
    Paul Thurrot's Vista version reviews.
    Go to bottom for chart views of features / memory / cpu ...

    3GB-not-4GB RAM problem
    This discussed windows OS (32-bit / 64-bit -- XP or Vista). You need to be selective in OS and hardware.
     
    Dennis L,
    #4
  6. 2008/02/13
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/08/14
    Messages:
    4,141
    Likes Received:
    9
    mflynn,
    #5
  7. 2008/02/13
    Lighthammer

    Lighthammer Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/11/20
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    I was going to use a Western Digital 10,000 RPM Drive as my main OS/programs drive.

    Before I buy the hardware (video card, sound card, etc), I would make sure that the 64-bit drivers are available.

    My main concern is the no swap file. I figured the 8 GB of RAM would be the sweet spot. I did read the articles and they say that it is possible.

    I do not want to go to Vista, not yet.
     
    Lighthammer,
    #6
  8. 2008/02/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Not strictly true - Photoshop uses it's own 'swap file' called a scratch disk which is configured in PS and is better set up on a separate drive so that it does not get fragmented and tangled up with the Windows swap (page) file.

    Another point to consider is no page file = no memory dumps on bsod. Even if you move the page file to another drive MS state you must have, say 50 (500?) Mb of swap on the root drive.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2008/02/13
    WhitPhil

    WhitPhil Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    599
    Likes Received:
    4
    An observation:

    Unless you are running absolutely gigantic applications, or a lot (as in many, many) of applications simultaneously, odds are miniscule that you will be actively using the pagefile to begin with.
     
    WhitPhil,
    #8

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...