Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

[CaptainZombie]

I have 1GB RAM and that is not even enough to run VISTA optimally. I would have thought the Dual Core 2 processor would help with the multi-tasking, but VISTA is just a RAM hog.

I'm looking at getting another 1GB or 2GB, I can get a pair of 1GB sticks for $100 online = 2GB. Then my system would be at a total of 3GB, that should help hopefully. LOL!

Has anyone else noticed slowdown with VISTA having 1GB or less of RAM?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

I have 1GB RAM and that is not even enough to run VISTA optimally. I would have thought the Dual Core 2 processor would help with the multi-tasking, but VISTA is just a RAM hog.

I'm looking at getting another 1GB or 2GB, I can get a pair of 1GB sticks for $100 online = 2GB. Then my system would be at a total of 3GB, that should help hopefully. LOL!

Has anyone else noticed slowdown with VISTA having 1GB or less of RAM?

How many RAM slots you have, candy?

Oh yeah, and I read on Grey Dog's forums that 1 gig in Vista is comparable to 256 megs in XP.

So you should probably upgrade. A lot.

[Rodster]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

Vista is pure bloatware. Vista needs at least 2gb of ram, give it four and its cranking. My suggestion is turn off Aero and you should notice a difference.

The other reason Vista loves and eats of ram is because Microsoft has designed this OS to load more apps into ram during startup so as to speed up the load times, stupid idea IMO. This idea replaced "prefetch files".

Intel with the introduction of the new Santa Rosa chipset aka "Centrino Pro" introduced Intel Turbo Boost just for Vista which is another form of memory cache. I can achieve the same glass look by using Windowblinds 5 and it only takes up 3 megs of resources.

IMO Apple is going to reap the benefits of a Vista backlash.

[Leon]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

You should also know that Vista uses your RAM to make things run faster than it would on XP. What's the point of having 2GB of RAM when 90% of it is wasted on idle time? What Vista does is use just enough of it to run everything but when, say, you're playing a game, it allocates most of it to run that particular game.

I suggest reading this guide to know more about Vista as well as possible tweaks you can do to make your system run more efficient.

Edit: Turning off Aero is only recommended if your graphics card isn't capable of running it. Other than that, it doesn't really take up resources. BTW, I have 2GB of RAM and I'm running Vista fine. Granted, my PC is pretty updated but I'm guessing yours is as well.

Edit 2: 4GB of RAM will only really work if you're running Vista 64-bit. It has something to do with the 32-bit version not being able to utilize more than 2GB RAM etc. Read the guide I linked to and you'll understand a lot about how Vista works.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

If anyone were to buy a new computer, could they have it specifically loaded with XP and not Vista? Not looking for a computer right now, but this would be my main concern if I were.

[Altimus]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

If anyone were to buy a new computer, could they have it specifically loaded with XP and not Vista? Not looking for a computer right now, but this would be my main concern if I were.

Yes. You can get one with XP loaded and Vista ready if you ever choose to upgrade.

I've run several Vista builds on different notebooks and never noticed any slow down problems.

Currently I'm running Vista on 2046MB of ram on a Intel Core 2 with a T7200 processor with 4MB cache. Runs flawlessly.

[The Chef]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

I have a laptop with only 1GB of ram and have no problems running Vista, keep in mind though that I dont game on it and only use it to surf the internet and run things like Excel and whatnot so its not like I tax the system anyways.

[The Chef]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

If anyone were to buy a new computer, could they have it specifically loaded with XP and not Vista? Not looking for a computer right now, but this would be my main concern if I were.

Unless of course you want to buy that computer at somewhere like Best Buy, we stopped carrying all of the machines that were preloaded with XP and now only carry ones that are preloaded with Vista.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

I want another gig for mine but am waiting for a good deal. I have 1gig with a 3800+ X2 and it seems to run well enough for me at the time but I think the extra gig will give it that little extra kick to make it run smooth.

[mjb2124]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

You should have checked out any of the other Vista threads on here. I've been using Vista for a long time now (beta version and then the regular version from work) and mentioned the resource issue numerous times. It's going to be a long time before many companies move to Vista.

I have a dual core processor laptop with 2 GB of RAM at home and Vista at default takes up over 650mb of RAM. It runs fine when I surf the web or do other less intensive tasks, but when I have numerous things open or try to compile code or do a few other things, it can really churn.

Some of the problem is the Aero interface. If you don't want to upgrade the RAM in your machine, turn off the Aero interface and it will run smoother. However, it won't look as pretty.

But a big problem is just the way the OS is coded.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

You should have checked out any of the other Vista threads on here. I've been using Vista for a long time now (beta version and then the regular version from work) and mentioned the resource issue numerous times. It's going to be a long time before many companies move to Vista.

I have a dual core processor laptop with 2 GB of RAM at home and Vista at default takes up over 650mb of RAM. It runs fine when I surf the web or do other less intensive tasks, but when I have numerous things open or try to compile code or do a few other things, it can really churn.

Some of the problem is the Aero interface. If you don't want to upgrade the RAM in your machine, turn off the Aero interface and it will run smoother. However, it won't look as pretty.

But a big problem is just the way the OS is coded.

I didn't do a search and should have, can you combine this thread with one of the other VISTA threads?

I'll look into possibly upgrading.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

I have an AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 2.2 GHz processor, I have a 180 gig HD, I have 1 gig of RAM, and Vista runs just fine on my PC. It actually runs faster than the same exact system did with XP installed, and that's with all the additional "Aero" stuff turned on.

Not calling you guys who claim it hogs resources a liar, but I'm telling you what I see. I have no complaints what so ever with Vista. I love it.

[mjb2124]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

I have an AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 2.2 GHz processor, I have a 180 gig HD, I have 1 gig of RAM, and Vista runs just fine on my PC. It actually runs faster than the same exact system did with XP installed, and that's with all the additional "Aero" stuff turned on.

Not calling you guys who claim it hogs resources a liar, but I'm telling you what I see. I have no complaints what so ever with Vista. I love it.

What are you doing on the machine? If I surf the web, it's fine. However, doing numerous things causes Vista some problems. It's a pretty well known issue amongst the IT folks and is why you won't see it in offices for a while (a lot of hardware won't run it). I've actually ran it on about 4-5 different machines at work and at home. All have had similar resource issues.

Pretty much RAM and processor is all that should really matter. RAM seems to be the biggest culprit. Check to see how much memory Vista is taking up just idling. I'd be willing to bet you're using up at least 600mb of that 1GB of RAM or 60%.

I actually do like the look and feel of Vista, but I hate the bloated code. I also know that I'm going to hate rolling it out to my office when that time comes. The firewall alone is going to cause a lot of problems amongst the apps we use.

[Herbsinator]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

Buy a Mac. Just sayin'...

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Windows VISTA = Resource Hog

Pretty much RAM and processor is all that should really matter. RAM seems to be the biggest culprit. Check to see how much memory Vista is taking up just idling. I'd be willing to bet you're using up at least 600mb of that 1GB of RAM or 60%.

With Firefox running, it's at 77%. What's your point?