Knowledge Base

Windows Memory Usage

In the first section we run through using the Task Manager to view RAM utilisation on a Windows Server 2003 VPS. The second section covers Windows Server 2008 and using the Performance Monitor to view VPS RAM utilisation.

Windows 2003

Start by logging into your VPS with Remote Desktop.

Click on the Task Bar located at the bottom of the VPS screen with the right mouse button.

Select Task Manager from the pop-up dialogue.

Once the Task Manager window has opened, click the Performance tab.

In the bottom section of the window, you will see Physical Memory (K), which displays your current RAM usage in kilobytes(KB). One MB is 1024KB. Dividing the values shown in this section by 1024(or roughly 1000) will give you the RAM usage in MB. e.g. 523792 KB is approximately 511 MB.

A value of 32768KB (32MB) Available or less would indicate the VPS is close to, or at it's physical memory limit.

The lower graph on the left side of the window shows the Page File usage. This value will increase along with your RAM usage.

If your Available Physical Memory value is very low, you may also notice your Page File increasing.

High Page File values along with a low Available Physical Memory will often be accompanied by a noticeable performance degradation, and in some cases an unresponsive VPS. e.g. you may notice a long delay between clicking on the interface, and the interface responding, or possibly find you can't log into your VPS' desktop at all.

If your VPS is performing poorly while showing values similar to those mentioned above, this is an indication that your VPS doesn't have enough RAM to meet the current requirements of the software you are running.

You may want to close any programs on your VPS that aren't required and check the performance of the VPS again, or consider upgrading the amount of RAM on your VPS.

RAM upgrades can be done by going to your VPS Management page in mPanel, then clicking Change next to the Memory listed. Upgrading RAM requires the VPS to be rebooted.

Windows 2008

Start by logging into your VPS with Remote Desktop.

Click the Start menu on your VPS' desktop, then using the 'Search programs and files' box simply type in resmon. Hit enter to start Resource Monitor.

When the Resource Monitor window opens, click the Memory tab.

In the upper section here you will see a list of running processes and how much memory they are using.

The lower section shows a graphical representation of how your RAM is currently being utilised on the VPS.

Ideally the VPS should always have at least 32MB or greater Available RAM to reduce the need for the Page File(hdd) to be overused, as this can result in noticeable performance degradation.

If you do have noticeable VPS peformance degradation, you may want to close any programs on your VPS that aren't required and check the performance again, or consider upgrading the amount of RAM on your VPS.

RAM upgrades can be done by going to your VPS Management page in mPanel, then clicking Change next to the Memory listed. Upgrading RAM requires the VPS to be rebooted.