Re: Source distros Re: [MLUG] Computer for sale...

[Mark Haidekker <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Wednesday 12 June 2002 12:22 pm, you wrote:
> > The computer will have 512MB of RAM, how much swap space
> > should I give it?
> > 512MB?
>
> I heard a rule of thumb once that said 1.5-2x the amount of RAM.  You don't
> want so much that you can't run it through the processor, but you want at
> least enough to hold everything you were doing without swapping, plus a
> little.  Keep in mind, though, this was back when 32mb RAM was a beautiful
> thing.

This rule was once valid when a system with 32 MB was considered generously 
equipped. With 512 MB, I would not give it any swap space. I tested such a 
configuration, and I found that the system actually *uses* swap even when 
there is enough free RAM. This really cuts down the performance.

This rogue swap space usage mainly occurred in conjunction with vmware. I 
have a vmware instance running, but rarely use it. So it gets easily swapped 
out. 

OTOH, I found no adverse effects on systems with 512 MB and no swap.

Mark
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