The Swap File and MS Windows
Joe M posted in Home Support, opinion on September 23rd, 2009
I have heard multiple theories on setting swap file space, and how to squeeze the most and best performance from Windows.
Swap file size seems to have a great effect on Windows performance.
Without getting too deep in the details… I have tried all sorts of variations of swap file configurations.
I have tried variations of the following configurations:
No swap file
2 X Amount of RAM
3 X Amount of RAM
Swap on another physical drive
There is an article at TechRadar regarding several tests and benchmarks, using different swap file configs.
From my own experience… I have two suggestions.
First, I have always had the best of luck with just about any version of Windows utilizing a constant-sized swap file. The formula I use for the size is
Size = 1.5 X Amount of RAM
That means that on your configuration, you are going to set the Initial and Maximum to the same amount.
Secondly, if you have another (second, physical) drive available, there is evidence to indicate that putting all or part of the swap file on that drive will also improve your performance.
I have had better luck with performance putting the whole swap file on another physical drive, away from the Windows OS.
Overall, the best advice I can give you, is to experiment and try what works best for you.