SFX14-41G have High memory usage, Low CPU usage, can't run games

CONNNN
CONNNN Member Posts: 2 New User
edited November 2022 in Swift and Spin Series

Hi, I'm running a Swift SFX14-41G on Windows 11 (version 10.0.22621) and I've recently (since about a week ago) been having trouble with available memory. As per task manager, my computer at rest has a CPU usage of around 1-2% but memory usage is constantly at 50% (at all times a minimum 4 out of 8GB of RAM in use) even when all programs are shut down, and the amount of memory being used by programs as shown in task manager barely even adds up to 1GB. I've not installed any new programs recently, I don't think I have noticed any windows updates being run on the laptop lately - so I'm not sure what's triggered this as my laptop had been running fine with no issues since I bought it from box.co.uk in May.

I've tried all the usual fixes as seen on google, such as turning off paging files and disabling regedit, etc etc. I've run memory diagnostics which have shown nothing, I've defragged, I've run multiple virus scans, I've reinstalled windows, tried a different version of windows, and removed near enough all programs from my laptop. Still the problem persists. Any time I run any games, they instantly crash and say there isn't enough available memory. E.g. football manager 2023 says "running dangerously low on memory. Please quit and free up some memory"

I'm stumped! I've run out of ideas at this point. Anything I'm missing or anything else I can try? All suggestions welcome :)

Best Answer

  • Athwart
    Athwart Member Posts: 87 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    When you say you've turned off the paging files, that could be the source of your problem. Almost all systems need a paging file (virtual memory) to supplement physical RAM unless you have large amounts of RAM which yours does not (8GB). I suggest you re-enable the paging file and allow the system to automatically set the size so that it can expand to meet memory demands.

    To see what programs/processes are using the most memory, go to the Details tab in Task Manager and enable the "Working set (memory)" column and display that in sorted order. Alternately, run Tasklist in a Cmd window to see a similar list of memory usage.

    As @billsey has said, if you are using an add-on antivirus program, that can often be the biggest memory user. In my system, it accounts for 80% of memory used when I have little else running.

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,206 Trailblazer

    What are you running for an antivirus?

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Athwart
    Athwart Member Posts: 87 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    When you say you've turned off the paging files, that could be the source of your problem. Almost all systems need a paging file (virtual memory) to supplement physical RAM unless you have large amounts of RAM which yours does not (8GB). I suggest you re-enable the paging file and allow the system to automatically set the size so that it can expand to meet memory demands.

    To see what programs/processes are using the most memory, go to the Details tab in Task Manager and enable the "Working set (memory)" column and display that in sorted order. Alternately, run Tasklist in a Cmd window to see a similar list of memory usage.

    As @billsey has said, if you are using an add-on antivirus program, that can often be the biggest memory user. In my system, it accounts for 80% of memory used when I have little else running.

  • CONNNN
    CONNNN Member Posts: 2 New User

    I was using BitDefender Free, I uninstalled it shortly before I wrote this post - it seemed to help reduce memory usage but didn't quite solve the problem.

    In terms of the paging file, I turned it back on just as you suggested and everything seems to be miraculously solved, thanks so much!

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,206 Trailblazer

    Now try monitoring memory usage to see if you have an app running other than the antivirus that needs a lot of memory. The next culprit after an antivirus is often your browser. With 8GB of memory you shouldn't be swapping memory out unless you have a couple of apps using a big chunk.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

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