kernel_task memory usage
Does anybody have any what the kernel_task process is, and why it seems to be taking up so much memory?
When I got my iMac, I had 512 Megs of RAM, and it was running fine, unless I was running a memory-intensive app like NetBeans (a Java IDE).
The memory pie chart in Activity Monitor would show maybe 50 megs of free RAM.
I recently bought a extra gig of RAM, bumping my system up to 1.5 gig. Initially, I would have something ludicrous like a full gig of free RAM. Now, even running my normal apps (Firefox, Mail.app, iTunes, Finder, and Activity Monitor), I have only about 300 free megs. I have about 460 megs inactive.
Does anybody have any idea why my iMac is suddenly crowding out all the new memory?
Also, since getting the extra RAM, I haven't notice any slowdown in performance, even when running NetBeans and my RAM appears to be "maxed out".
Just looking for an expert to explain to me what's going on so I can understand my system better.
When I got my iMac, I had 512 Megs of RAM, and it was running fine, unless I was running a memory-intensive app like NetBeans (a Java IDE).
The memory pie chart in Activity Monitor would show maybe 50 megs of free RAM.
I recently bought a extra gig of RAM, bumping my system up to 1.5 gig. Initially, I would have something ludicrous like a full gig of free RAM. Now, even running my normal apps (Firefox, Mail.app, iTunes, Finder, and Activity Monitor), I have only about 300 free megs. I have about 460 megs inactive.
Does anybody have any idea why my iMac is suddenly crowding out all the new memory?
Also, since getting the extra RAM, I haven't notice any slowdown in performance, even when running NetBeans and my RAM appears to be "maxed out".
Just looking for an expert to explain to me what's going on so I can understand my system better.
Comments
The Mach kernel will attempt to cache everything it can, and max out the use of real memory.
It's a feature.
RAM unused is RAM wasted, which is money wasted.
There is no valid reason for leaving RAM unused beyond 10-20%.