Memory usage, buy more or another fix ?

[Seladon]

I've got a very solid rig all around, in theory, with a watercooled 3770k, 8GB of G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB at 1600 MHz cas 9, and 2 GTX 760 running in SLI. But sometimes, it desappoints me a bit.

On startup, RAM usage is already at 4.5 GB, nothing too heavy running. The most demanding programs that I have running on startup demand about 20MB of RAM. The total of what's running is about 100MB in task manager.

I do know that Windows on its own is not in that list, and does use some, but... Really, it used 4.4GB of RAM ? Sounds a bit big to me. If that's just normal, well maybe I'd consider buying 8 more GB, because even though I'm only doing gaming, with some browser tabs open, I'm often capping out on RAM. Or maybe you guys have some kind of solution to fix that ?

If I'm to buy some more RAM, can I get any brand ? Or do I need the exact same model ?

 

[SieB]

What browser are you using? Chrome takes up a load of memory, I use about 3-4gb of RAM just with my browser and a few background apps running.
Try clearing your Cache incase there is something that is eating up your RAM.

 

[SPS]

Are you saying that task manager is reporting over 50% physical memory usage on boot?

 

[Seladon]

@SieB : I am using Chrome, yes, but even with NOTHING open, just started the PC, entered my password, it's already at 4.5GB RAM usage. With the most demanding task in task manager being explorer.exe, eating up a "big" 20MB of RAM.

@SPS : That's exactly what I'm saying. And it doesn't go down with time. Doesn't really go up either unless I open programs, though.

 

[SieB]

Not sure what is eating up your RAM but 4.5gb sounds excessive. Only thing I can think of is to try using CCleaner to clear you cache and scan for registry for issues.

 

[SPS]

I do find it odd that you're using 4.5GB and 20MB is the largest chunk of memory being used by any one process. Has this always been the case? Are you running any AV?

 

[Seladon]

No, it hasn't always been the case, was a little bit lower before, but pretty much always had issues with that. Cleaned up with CCleaner, helped a bit but still having 3.5GB usage on boot.

I'm using Avast, which task manager is reporting to be using only 8MB of memory.

 

[Feronix]

Hmmm, you could use something like Malwarebytes to check if there's anything running in the background that you don't want. Avast works alright for overal protection, but Malwarebytes scans are a lot more thorough.

You can also click Start > Type 'Msconfig' > Go to the Startup tab and check the list of programs that start when Windows start to try and see if you can find anything that you don't want or need (be careful unchecking anything, always double check what you are doing).

 

[vorticalbox]

you tried sorting by memory and see whats at the top? for me it's folding at home.

just a question what OS are you running (i assume windows)

 

[Davva2004]

I only have 4gb of ram in my rig, and a freshly booted Windows 7 x64 uses just over 2gb of ram.

 

[QuietOne]

I'm running Windows 7 x64. I have Fraps running in the background, steam, Origin and Chrome running and using 2.24GB, Chrome is using around 250MB

 

[NeverBackDown]

If you go to task manager, on the bottom of the processes tab you can click on" show processes for all users" and it will show pretty much everything that is being run. Check to see if anything out of the ordinary is running.

 

[Seladon]

@Feronix : Malwarebyte didn't find anything, and I have only drivers in the startup.

@vorticalbox : Yes, I sorted it by memory, and I'm using Windows 7.

@NeverBackDown : A few more processes added up, but nothing over 25MB.

 

[vorticalbox]

I dont think iy would be malware, if it is its stupid for giving its self a way.

Has it always done that? If you have the win disk you coukd try repair windows.

 

[barnsley]

I dont think iy would be malware, if it is its stupid for giving its self a way.

Has it always done that? If you have the win disk you coukd try repair windows.

You got to remember that malware usually doesn't need to hide itself that well to avoid detection. After all, not everyone is computer savvy.

 

[vorticalbox]

You got to remember that malware usually doesn't need to hide itself that well to avoid detection. After all, not everyone is computer savvy.

Thats true but filling up ram and making the computer run slow?

Can post a hijackthis log to double check