Reclaim your Memory with Minimem
Nikhil Rastogi, Aug 17, 2008 1032 hrs IST
Minimem is a program that can reduce the memory footprint of any application.
Simple to use, Reduces RAM usage.
Only temporarily reduces RAM usage.
No, this is not a tool that helps you if you've amnesia, though it'll certainly give amnesia to some programs if used blatantly. Minimem is a program that can reduce the memory footprint of any application. This might at first sound really cool but be advised, it should not be used without a proper understanding of Minimem.
Minimem functions by running in the background, periodically (ever 30 seconds by default) reducing RAM usage to a minimum. It does this by pushing contents of RAM into the swap file/page file on the hard drive, therefore freeing up RAM for other programs temporarily. I say temporarily because a program that is designed to use RAM will use it whether you like it or not, all that Minimem can do is reduce it periodically which can help a great deal for those with older PC's or lesser RAM. This obviously raises several questions; I'll try to answer them as simply as I can.
Essential questions regarding Minimem
Does it reduce performance?
This is the first question I asked. RAM is always faster than Hard drive, therefore isn't it better the data resides in RAM for quicker access? Yes and No. First of all the page swapping speed, that is the speed of data going from RAM to hard drive and back is hardly anything, a few milliseconds. In normal computing with surfing and working with spreadsheets it doesn't even matter. However, applications that are sensitive to RAM usage such as scientific applications that need to invert large matrices and a few 3D games will suffer (you'll experience a noticeable pause in them).
Is this a good thing? Which applications are a good fit to optimize using Minimem?
Sure it's a good thing if you keep the above point in mind. In fact this application was made with Firefox in mind, which is an excellent example of too much RAM usage, though memory usage has been reduced in version 3. I quote from the authors help page "Applications that are best to optimize for memory are typically office applications, typically word processors, and web browsers. On that last front Minimem has been tested to be extremely efficient with Firefox, the application it was originally designed for."
Other applications that are fit to use with Minimem are any mouse/keyboard applications, volume tray applications that are installed with the sound card, multimedia hotkey software. Basically any software that is used occasionally or intermittently is perfect for Minimem usage.
Can I assign all processes to Minimem
Again this would not be a good idea. Web browsers and the like are ideal, as you do not have mission critical stuff on it, even if the browser crashes, sessions can be restored. However, putting explorer.exe or other essential Windows services is taking a risk (though I've not conducted extensive tests on this).
Isn't it a bad idea to use Minimem at all, as it forces an application to reduce memory?
One thing I agree with is that "band-aid" solutions can help where there is no permanent fix. What I mean by "band-aid" solution is that certain programs aren't made very well, that is they aren't optimized at all, they may have several memory leaks or overly sloppy code. In such a case no amount of external software can help with what is internally wrong. But we cannot always rely on software developers to wake up; therefore here is where Minimem can really help.
USER COMMENTS
by skdandia, Mumbai, on Oct 16, 2008 05:05 PM, Report abuse
Thought I?d mention I released version 1.2 which notably allows not optimizing anything when the RAM usage is not high anyway and improves the engine so there is no perceivable slow down at any time and no matter how many processes are optimized. Oh, and you can also avoid optimizing the process that owns the foreground window, quite useful in some cases. Indeed, the first option means it may do nothing at all if you have lots of RAM and don?t use it all, but I think that?s a good thing as pointed out by some users.
by Kerkia, Ottawa, on Sep 11, 2008 02:46 AM, Report abuse Reply
Looks good. Thinking of trying it out.
by Anonymous, Bangalore, on Aug 18, 2008 01:39 PM, Report abuse Reply
VIEW ALL LATEST
Koobface Wriggles Into Facebook
News > Internet , December 05, 2008 1551 hrs IST
Malicious code via 'You look funny in this video' message hits Facebook ...
Axiotron Transforms Macbook Into Modbook
News > Consumer Electronics , December 05, 2008 1616 hrs IST
Axiotron Modbook comes with improved Macbook compatibility ...
Symbian Open Source OS in 2010
News > Software , December 05, 2008 1542 hrs IST
Distribution of code in 2009 ...
New Look Google Reader
News > Internet , December 05, 2008 1503 hrs IST
Visual clutter and multiple bundled feeds removed ...
Microsoft's Massive Pushes In-Game Ads
News > Gaming , December 05, 2008 1438 hrs IST
Has struck deals with Activision and Blizzard Entertainment ...
MOST REQUESTED REVIEWS
Software NEWS
|
Symbian Open Source OS in 2010Distribution of code in 2009 |
|
Bluetooth 2.2 Specs In Mid-2009Higher transfer speeds in conjunction with WLAN or USB |
|
Microsoft Turns the Heat on Online CounterfeitersAuction sites come under scanner |
Software REVIEWS
|
Vista UAC and a smarter alternative, Smart UACReviews | Software | Security and Privacy | 02 Nov 2008 A look into the UAC concept, particularly Smart UAC, whose approach is the same... |
|
Vista Tips and TricksReviews | Software | Productivity | 26 Oct 2008 Here are a few tips that will help you get the best out of your Vista machine. |
|
Watch out Vista here comes Norton's UACReviews | Software | Security and Privacy | 19 Oct 2008 Fed up of Vista's UAC, then try out Norton's smarter UAC approach. |
Software USER REVIEWS
|
Auslogics BoostSpeed 4software | Auslogics | Tue, 06 May 2008 A powerful and easy to use Windows optimization suite that really does its job... |
|
|
Morange Morangesoftware | Morange | Sat, 20 Oct 2007 great free or paid version |
|
|
tally 7.2 tally 7.2software | tally 7.2 | Wed, 02 Aug 2006 Basic accounting requirement of displaying balance after each transection... |
MOST POPULAR NEWS
|
Could A DVR Save Your Marriage?News | Consumer Electronics | 04 Sep 2008 ...Or should you stick to your shrink? |
|
Firefox Counters Chrome's Speed TestAccording to Mozilla's SunSpider test, Firefox 3.1 is 28% faster than Chrome on ... |
|
Nokia N96 for Rs. 40,000?False alarm everyone... We have learnt from Nokia that the N96 will be priced be... |
MOST POPULAR REVIEWS
MOST POPULAR GAMES
MOST POPULAR DOWNLOADS
|
Forbidden.exe |
|
md5deepDownloads | System Tools | 04 Sep 2008 |
|
RivaTunerDownloads | System Tools | 03 Sep 2008 |
GOOD
by KARTHIK, CHENNAI, on Aug 30, 2008 07:47 PM, Report abuse Reply