Memory usage in OS X

[aalberto]

In OS9, I believe you can set up the computer to never resort to virtual memory (hard drive being used as RAM). Is this true in OS X? Can I run OS X using only the system RAM?

 

[After G]

There's no user setting, but if you have enough system RAM you should never use VM.

 

[Sun Baked]

Nope, no can do -- unless you want to screw up the low level settings of the OS.

Just keep an eye on pageouts every now and then after a fresh reboot and normal work session and you'll have an idea how often you are resorting to kicking RAM to the HD.

The scheme in OS X is real VM anyway, not the patch OS 9 used to extend beyond the main memory.