M1 16GB RAM and SWAP Memory Being Used

[phillies3429]

I got a refurbished M1 MacBook Air from Apple and went for the 16GB of RAM. I look at the activity monitor and to my surprise 2.40GB SWAP memory is being used. Should I be concerned? I only have 11 safari tabs open. Nothing else really running in the background other than music. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Runs For Fun]

Take a look in Activity Monitor to see what’s using the most memory. Sounds like there might be something leaking memory.

 

[phillies3429]

Windows server - 1.56GB
Looks like Safari Tabs - 1.14GB

Everything else below a gig. Just find it very odd that with light usage and 16GB ram on board I have to use swap with safari open and now down to 7 tabs

 

[chabig]

I got a refurbished M1 MacBook Air from Apple and went for the 16GB of RAM. I look at the activity monitor and to my surprise 2.40GB SWAP memory is being used. Should I be concerned? I only have 11 safari tabs open. Nothing else really running in the background other than music. Thoughts? Thanks!

That is normal. You're not supposed to be concerned with memory management. The OS does that for you. Don't assume you know how the OS is going to use the machine's resources. The best advice I would give is to stop looking.

 

[Kung gu]

Are you on 11.4?
If not update to 11.4 it has better RAM management.

 

[phillies3429]

I know, but when I see 8GB models handling less SWAP compared to my 16GB model with very little open it's a cause for concern in my eyes.

 

[phillies3429]

I'll check, thanks

 

[chabig]

I know, but when I see 8GB models handling less SWAP compared to my 16GB model with very little open it's a cause for concern in my eyes.

There is no need to be concerned. Even a 32GB Mac will swap a bit. It's just the way macOS works.

 

[rambo47]

The integration of the memory with the M1 processor is a design feature so the operating system can use a swap partition. I remember setting this up in OS9 as a RAM cache for Netscape Navigator. It really sped up the browser. So on your MBA it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

 

[MrGunny94]

Unless you limit swap usage, the OS will use it as it pleases don’t worry about it.