swap size

kodiakmook · 01-04-2002, 11:03 AM

is there a general rule for the size of the linux swap partition? Or should I just accept the defaults on a new Mandrake 8 install?

I have about 7 gigs of available space for MDK 8 and 256 megs of RAM in the machine, so I guess I'm asking how big should I make my swap partition?

trickykid · 01-04-2002, 11:11 AM

i never make mine larger than 100 ~ 125 megs.. and that always works for me.

elist · 01-04-2002, 11:16 AM

I've got 512Mb RAM and gkrellm says I never use any of the swap which I have set to 128Mb.
Is it a necessity to have it?

trickykid · 01-04-2002, 11:17 AM

that is why i never tell anyone to make it more than that.. cause with 256 or more ram, you might not ever touch it.. but its good to have just in case..

DMR · 01-04-2002, 03:28 PM

Cool, another "how much swap" thread. Everybody pile on!

Seriously though, the "general rule" used to be twice your physical RAM, but that rule has become outdated now that machines can handle ridiculous amounts of RAM, and the fact that the RAM is so cheap. Unless you're doing some seriously memory-intensive stuff, I agree with trickykid and elist: a 128MB swap might never even get touched with your 256M of real RAM.

trickykid · 01-04-2002, 04:13 PM

yeah.. i guess the search button just doesn't show up on most peoples browsers.. this is what the 3 or 4th swap thread in about a week or so...

someone needs to rewrite that old rule that is outdated now..

vector · 01-05-2002, 12:52 AM

256 to 512 meg is enough depending on RAM and how memory intensive you are running your system. if you have 256meg ram, i would set 512 meg swap. if you ave more then 256meg ram, i would go 256meg swap.

Vector