Virtual Memory Page File and RAM Cache
For newer computer systems using XP and Vista (32 bit - the current standard), your virtual memory or swap file settings are the key for faster performance. Depending on the amount of RAM installed on your PC, you need to find a sweet spot. For most systems using 1 to 4 GB RAM (32 bit XP and Vista can only read just over 3 GB of RAM) I would suggest a page file size of 1024 MB (1 GB) minimum and also input a maximum setting of 2048 MB (2 GB).
If you have more than 4GB of memory with 32 bit Windows XP or Vista - your system can only make use of just slightly over 3 GigaBytes. While the 32 bit OS's support 4 GB, they really only partially use the 4th GB RAM module. Don't fret, soon 64 Bit operating systems will be mainstream and you will be able to make use of up to 128 GB of RAM. Please take note that with 64 bit Vista, it depends on the version you are using.
Maximum RAM for 32 Bit to 64 Bit Vista / XP
32 Bit Windows VISTA
Vista Starter = 1 GB Max RAM
Vista Home Basic to Ultimate = 4 GB Max RAM
64 Bit Windows VISTA
Vista Home Basic = 8 GB Max RAM
Vista Home Premium = 16 GB Max RAM
Vista Business to Ultimate = 128 GB Max RAM
32 Bit Windows XP
Windows XP Starter Edition = 512 MB Max RAM
Windows XP = 4 GB Max RAM
64 Bit Windows XP = 128 GB Max RAM
Clearing RAM Cache Automatically
Auto RAM clearing for Windows XP, Vista and older is available within many PC Optimizer programs for those looking for extreme memory speed increases. We have listed our favorites. If you look somewhere else, be careful - Not all of these software programs work as advertised and some may actually hinder performance. Especially beware of the free offerings that may contain hostile add-in code that may trigger pop-up advertising or other notorious free giveaway schemes.
Optimizing your RAM cache can boost PC memory speed in older systems such as Windows 98. This is a temporary storage space where data is accessed at high speeds and can be optimized in numerous ways to act as a mild ram booster. The best you can do is to manually adjust the VCache settings in the system.ini file which may help a little in older Windows 98 systems. However, the amount of physical RAM and the many different variables make it difficult to pinpoint the exact values required.