Swap File....

[Dermmy]

After running TRS04 and TRS06 from a default install on drive C: I have recently re-installed them on a second hard drive and have gained a big jump in performance as a result.

In an attempt to get things running better still I am thinking of playing around with the swap file, but being a bit of a computer num-nut can anyone recommend a suitable size and the best location for the swap file...

The system disk is 80gig with about 50% free space

The second hard disk (Trainz on this one) is 250gig with about 60% free space.

There is a third 'disk' which is an 80gig partition on the larger drive, currently empty.

The system has 2gig of Ram, WIN XP.

How big should the swap file be and which drive will optimize performance....

Thanks guys,

Andy....

 

[backyard]

I swapped...& I'm never going back...

Were they first installed to C:/Program Files/Auran/TRSxx files Dermmy?

As you have probably read, I moved mine to C:/TRS2006...this greatly improved performance of the game, CMP & PaintShed by moving these files to this location.

The only thing about a move to other than file C:/ was someone mentioned RailDriver could not find the location, however I believe that can be worked around by installing RD to the same drive...

 

[steamdrivre]

There really isn't a sweet spot for virtual memory. I have mine maxed out at 6 gigs between to drives, C:\ and D:\. Your system will tell you if you go too far. It's harmless, just increase it.

 

[Ferngren]

Have a look.

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm

 

[johnwhelan]

After running TRS04 and TRS06 from a default install on drive C: I have recently re-installed them on a second hard drive and have gained a big jump in performance as a result.

In an attempt to get things running better still I am thinking of playing around with the swap file, but being a bit of a computer num-nut can anyone recommend a suitable size and the best location for the swap file...

The system disk is 80gig with about 50% free space

The second hard disk (Trainz on this one) is 250gig with about 60% free space.

There is a third 'disk' which is an 80gig partition on the larger drive, currently empty.

The system has 2gig of Ram, WIN XP.

How big should the swap file be and which drive will optimize performance....

Thanks guys,

Andy....

First the swap file is used to emulate memory, except that accessing memory is measured in nano seconds, disk accesses are measured in milliseconds so its 10,000 times slower than real memory. Adding 512 mb of real memory to your system would be better. 2 gigs for Trainz and 512 mb for XP. You can add more but the real gain is in giving Traniz access to 2 gigs.

You want to minimise disk head movement so when running Trainz you want nothing else that will cause the head to move on the Trainz drive. This means either your C: drive or you extra partition. The head on the C: will be reading bits in and writing bits out to C: for windows whilst running Trainz. The second partition uses the same heads as c: so putting the swap file on the second partition will require more head movement than placing it on C:.

Finally Windows can spend a lot of time adding and shrinking the swap file so for performance set it to a fixed size.

Cheerio John

 

[mcguirel]

Rule of Thumb with Virtual Memory......................

Virtual Memory Should be set as follows:
1) Initial Size = 1 1/2 amount of Ram installed
2) Maximum Size = 2 or 2 1/2 times installed Ram
*** NOTE: Under 2GB Ram Installed, use 2 1/2 multiplyer for maximum

Virtual Memory should be on a slave drive if at all possible. If you have a slave drive, the page file should be placed on the first partition if the slave drive has multiple partitions. Multiple Virtual Memory Page Files are not recommended (meaning two pagefiles on two seperate drives or partitions)

When adjusting the page file, I highly recommend you set any existing pagefiles to No Paging File and Reboot Your System.

Once rebooted, have your Initial and Maximum MB sizes ready. Next, utilize a defragmentation software and for this procedure of adjusting the pagefile I recommend Norton Speed Disk (Reason: you can designate all the files on the partition/drive to be at the end of the partition/disk and will allow the new pagefile to be at the beginning of the drive or partition maximizing it usage and minimizing seek times). Once defragmentation is complete, enter your Initial and Maximum MB sizes accordingly. Your system will need to be rebooted.

If you find your pagefile is fragmented, utilize the following link and follow the instructions. It will attempt to defrag you pagefile and will work 3 times better if you drive or partition was defragged before setting the new pagefile. If you do not have enough continuos space for the pagefile, this link will not be effective thus why I highly recommend defragging the partition/drive you will be setting the new pagefile on.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897426.aspx




I hope this is helpful to all. I dissagree with some of the info provided on http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm. I will not go into further details on their suggestions.