What is the difference between virtual memory and regular computer memory?

January 6th, 2007 | by computermemory |
computer memory
B-Jay asked:


I keep getting this message. I “clean” up with defrag, and a program I bought “Reg Cure” but before long I get the message again. Do I need to buy more memory or what?

ED
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  1. 7 Responses to “What is the difference between virtual memory and regular computer memory?”

  2. By David D on Jan 7, 2007 | Reply

    Virtual memory is hard disk space used when the system runs out of RAM. Its very slow (relatively speaking).

  3. By jibbarjabar on Jan 9, 2007 | Reply

    Virtual Memory is space allocated on your hard drive for those times that your physical memory (RAM) is not enough.

    To increase the amount of virtual memory go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory “Change” > Custom Size > adjust as needed. 1.5 times your physical RAM is a good minimum and 3 times your physical memory in MB is good for your maximum.

  4. By kevin_palomo1 on Jan 10, 2007 | Reply

    yeah if you use virtual memory pretty often that means you have very little ram as memory and you need to buy more. what virtual memory is that your computer is using your har drive as ram but it shouldnt that way becasue that makes your computer go slow.

  5. By seamus1066 on Jan 13, 2007 | Reply

    Virtual memory is space on your Hard Drive that Windows sets aside to swap out sections of code that your RAM is working with. And no matter the amount of RAM you have in your system, Windows will still setup and use Virtual memory. The best way to handle Virtual memory is to let Windows manage the VM size. This way you will not have the problem of not enough VM set aside in your hard drive.

  6. By ashwani_51082 on Jan 15, 2007 | Reply

    virtual memory means ..i think…mm yah…i got it…wait iam telling u actually when a program needs more space than the actual available memory then o.s creats a virtual memory space for that programme nd tha can be more than urs physcal memory but there is a limit for this too dear bjay….urs system is having low virtual memory becoz ur running more or installed programmes than its capabilty either u remove them or purchase NEW memory omg i gave this answer finally……………………hahah lol
    ****babye****

  7. By anniyan on Jan 17, 2007 | Reply

    virtual memory is the memory which is on the hard disk of your pc regular memory is RAM which is physical memory which is attached to motherboard of your computer.
    you can increase your virtual memory by right click>properties>advanced>performance>settings>advanced
    then in the bottom you can see the change in which you can increase the size of your virtual memory
    typically it must be 3 times more than system memory(RAM)

  8. By codelyokodream on Jan 19, 2007 | Reply

    The difference is that virtual memory is your computer’s page file. this “memory” uses the hard drive.
    the regular computer memory is RAM(random access memory). they have separate modules, and doesn’t require the hard drive.

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