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Reducing memory usage

Started by lti , Jun 07 2011 09:32 PM

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67 replies to this topic

#46 Drovers Dog

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 01:30 AM

Just a suggestion for you?

There are other emulators out there that use the HDD to operate from, not the RAM, I think that is where some confusion has came into this?

The one you are trying to use is not really suitable for your application. You just do not have enough RAM available and really need at least 256MB of RAM, that would drop the perchentage back to 33.2%. That would work, if you work to atain that.

Another option is to find an emulator that uses the HDD, instead of RAM. I used to use one for my kids, so they diddn't scratch the heck out of the Game Disks, using WIN98SE, so I am sure they are still out there.

Think about it?

Ray.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

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#47 lti

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 03:37 PM

I have exceeed the boundaries already. The motherboard only supports a 400MHz CPU, but since the clock speed is set using jumpers I can run a 500MHz CPU. The chipset can only cache 128MB, so installing more reduces performance. I wanted to reduce the memory usage for this reason. Unless there are some Windows settings I can change or tweaks I can make to reduce memory usage, I have done as much as I can.

The SiSoftware Sandra hard drive benchmark gave me a drive index of 13955KB/s. That seems unusually high. The system information also showed that the FSB was only running at 75MHz. I thought I had the FSB set to 83MHz, but the jumpers are actually set for a 75MHz FSB.

I can use the computer in its current state. That game is the only program that needs more than 128MB of RAM.

Is there a program that can test the L1 and L2 cache?

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#48 Drovers Dog

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 08:24 PM

This computer came from the factory with 32MB of RAM. I have 128MB of RAM and am running out of memory. I don't remember the computer being very slow from the factory, but it must have been running on virtual memory most of the time.

I can use the computer in its current state. That game is the only program that needs more than 128MB of RAM.

The only problem is then the Emulator. Let's look at that.

Have you tried updating it?

http://mamedev.org/updates.html

If that doesn't work, maybe look for a better emulator that uses HDD Space instead of RAM?

Look through these Links for what you need?

http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&q=emulator+games&oq=Emulator&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=214957l218597l0l1l1l0l0l0l0l327l327l3-1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=50d8517db56afa1a&biw=800&bih=425

Sorry I can't be more specific, Emulators can be a bit "iffy" to discuss due to uncertainity as to their use, whereas I have just pointed out what anyone can find by Googling "Emulator"

Ray

Edited by Drovers Dog, 11 June 2011 - 08:44 PM.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

What is a Dog?

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#49 lti

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 10:46 PM

The newest version of MAME will not run on this computer. It requires a faster computer than I have. I'll try to find another emulator. This is not a problem.

Currently, I want to know if there are any tweaks I can perform to make Windows itself use less memory. I have disabled any startup item that is not required. I also want to verify that the cache memory is still good. The L2 cache chip on the motherboard appears to have run very hot at some point. If it still works, I'll put a heatsink on it, the clock generator, and the CPU voltage regulator components.

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#50 Drovers Dog

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 11:20 PM

Since you have that Baby flying much faster than it was ever designed for, Heat will certainly be a problem, so if it seems to be Hot, heat sink it.

A different emulator may well be your answer?

Best of Luck.

Ray.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

What is a Dog?

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#51 Eyesee

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 11:25 PM

"Currently, I want to know if there are any tweaks I can perform to make Windows itself use less memory"

I believe we have already done that Iti.
You can only go so far!

98 reports 88% system resources fee.
I dont see how you can tweak the system anymore than has already been done.

In the beginning there was the command line.

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#52 lti

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 11:32 PM

The CPU voltage regulator components are almost too hot to touch. I just need to find heatsinks that will fit. I have already replaced the 50mm fan on the CPU heatsink with an 80mm fan and installed an optical drive that does not extend as far into the case. The drive I had installed would extend over the voltage regulator so there would be no airflow in that corner of the case.

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#53 Drovers Dog

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Posted 11 June 2011 - 11:37 PM

Sorry, speed generates Heat, faster it goes hotter it gets.

Components get Hot they start to slow things down.

Perhaps fitting a very Large Fan on the side Access Panel blowing into the Mobo would help?

Ray.

Edited by Drovers Dog, 11 June 2011 - 11:43 PM.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

What is a Dog?

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#54 lti

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 12:16 AM

This computer uses a desktop case. The huge CPU fan is the best thing I can do. I might have to upgrade the voltage regulator. I found one component that gets warmer than everything else because it can not handle as much current. My changes seem to have made the voltage regulator run cooler.

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#55 Drovers Dog

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 02:07 AM

When you say "Desktop" do you mean it is not a Tower? Just one that normally a Monitor sits on top of?

If it is the one that a Monitor normally sits on, not a Problem. Put the Fan, either 100mm or better still 120mm in the top cover and forget about putting the Monitor on top. You can either blow in or suck out, either way would reduce your Heat levels.

Another way, but not really is as good, is to leave the top cover off and set up a Normal Pedistile Floor Fan to blow into it whilst you are using it. That one can lead to dust and other things getting into your Computer, but will definately cut down on the Heat factor.

Ray.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

What is a Dog?

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#56 Platypus

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 07:47 AM

Is there a program that can test the L1 and L2 cache?

If I recall correctly, I used to use memtest: http://home.earthlink.net/~alegr/download/memtest.htm

It's not unusual for regulator components on Socket 7 boards to get uncomfortably hot. Remember 45°C is hard to hold your finger on, and 60°C is just about starting to burn skin. These aren't terribly high temperatures for silicon devices like diodes and transistors. But cooler operation is always expected to improve long term reliability.

Another work-around that might accommodate the memory footprint of MAME is if you can locate some smaller sizes of memory, and try adding say 16MB. With 256MB, because Windows loads from the top down, almost everything will be in uncached RAM. If you have just enough memory for Windows and MAME, only the smallest portion of Windows possible will be in the uncached section, MAME and the rest of Windows will be in cached RAM.

Pleased to have been a Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) 2007/8, 2008/9

I pressed F5, and I'm feeling refreshed...

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#57 lti

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 01:43 PM

Yes, a monitor can sit on top of this computer. I would like to still be able to place a monitor on top of the case to save desk space.

The voltage regulator has a diode that runs at about 50° C, while the other components run at about 40° C. This diode is also the weakest component (lowest maximum current rating) in the voltage regulator.

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#58 Platypus

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 06:58 PM

The voltage regulator has a diode that runs at about 50° C, while the other components run at about 40° C.

I don't think you've got a problem there considering a K6II-500 will work a Socket 7 hard (thermal design max abt 20W compared to 15.7 for a Pentium MMX 200).

Pleased to have been a Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) 2007/8, 2008/9

I pressed F5, and I'm feeling refreshed...

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#59 Drovers Dog

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Posted 12 June 2011 - 10:13 PM

Hear, Hear!

Bye, Bye, Spammer

Ray.

What ever you give to others, you will get back doubled, Just make sure you only give Nice Things?......DD saying

There is a saying, "You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" it means "to be happy with what you have and not look for the impossible"......DD saying

The "Spirit" of the people who died, on that terrible day 9/11 will NEVER REST until such time as the "Imbeciles" that caused it, are eliminated through out the World.....DD saying

What is a Dog?

Back to top

#60 lti

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Posted 13 June 2011 - 08:57 PM

Memtest detected the L2 cache and was able to access it. Also, the POST screen (normally hidden) displayed "512K Cache SRAM Passed," so it seems that the L2 cache is working.

I am thinking of getting a new CPU fan. I currently have an 80mm fan from a power supply on the CPU heatsink. The larger fan (the original was a 50mm fan) helps cool the voltage regulator, clock generator, and L2 cache.