Should I be using a SWAP partition?

Gene126 · 08-13-2002, 12:15 AM

I am setting up linux on my new computer and I am not sure if I am going to need a swap partition or swap file? I have 512mb of ram and 1.6ghz. I will be using BASH and KDE.

Thanks

Sfin · 08-13-2002, 12:32 AM

Yeah set up a SWAP partition. Usually the rule was that the swap partition should be almost 1.5 times the size of your RAM, but I usually just put a 300 - 400 MB swap partition, whatever amount I RAM I have.

If you are going to use fdisk to set up the swap partition, make sure to change it type to Linux Swap.

trickykid · 08-13-2002, 01:42 AM

This is asked all the time but if your going to just be using your machine for desktop type use, 100 to 125 meg swap should do you fine.
I always create this size swap and its rarely ever used, even with one machine that only has 128 megs of RAM.
But if you want to play it safe and have a fairly large size hard drive, it doesn't hurt to create a larger size, maybe 200 to 400 megs of swap.

dark_light · 08-14-2002, 09:03 PM

yes , you will always need a swap partition.Its a must. There is a rule about ram that

whatever is the size of ram, its always not enough

well the swap is normally 1.5 or double of ur ram but i think in ur case 1.2 or ram would be more than enough,as ur using is for ur home usage .if this is not the case then i would recommend twice the size of ur ram