--- Bruce Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Jim Scolman wrote: > > Hi All, does anyone know if there is any definitive knowledge on > the subject > > of Ram Doubler being better or worse than Mac OS VM? That is is > one more > > effective than the other in day to day computing work? Thanks Jim > Scolman. > > yes and no. > > It really depends on the version of Mac OS you're talking about < 8.6 > > the RamDoubler VM is better 8.6 on up, the Mac's is.
RamDoubler uses an algorithm of some kind to double the effective memory space (sorta like compressing a .sit or .zip file). This slows down all RAM reads and writes because the compressed data stored in the physical RAM has to be decompressed. There are some hacks for really old versions of RamDoubler that let you increase the compression factor from 2 up to something utterly ridiculous like 16 (i.e. 2 MB physical RAM = 32 MB useable RAM!!). As the ratio gets higher, performance suffers. MacOS VM, in any version, uses hard drive space to supplement the physical RAM. As a result, any access to the "virtual" area of addressable RAM (the part that is actually on the hard drive) is slowed down to the hard drive's speed, which is much much slower than any RAM. And requires access to the hard disk, making it a bad idea for PowerBook users on battery. In my experience (admittedly limited to System 7.x) this is the order of perfomance, from best to worst: Neither RamDoubler (2x if adjustable) RamDoubler (any other setting) Virtual Memory (distant fourth) Just my $.02 -Eric J ===== PB145, iceBook Classic II(x2), Performa 405,IIci 6100/66 DOS Compatible, Blue and White G3 and random bits and pieces You are not drowning in old computer parts until you start charting tides... __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
