Many users have asked me how well Windows Seven works with 512MB RAM. Before I continue, I want to state that although I do not recommend using 512MB RAM, it works… as long as you’re willing to be patient.
After conducting several non-scientific tests and after using Windows7, with 512MB RAM, for several hours on end, I can say it works well enough. Yes, you may get some slow downs and yes, everything isn’t instant; however, it works much better than Vista would on 512MB and nearly as good as XP (in my opinion.)
See my task manager screenshots for confirmation. During these shots, I am watching a 3min video with Windows Media Player, have two instances of IE running, and a couple of Windows Explorer windows open.
Windows 7 under Normal Use with 512MB RAM
323MB RAM Running WMP and IE
Low process usage under normal use
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15 Responses to Update: Windows Seven 7 512MB Ram Under Normal Use
MSherwood
What specs does this computer have? Also, what did you change in the Beta to make it “Basic” 7? Just a couple questions… I might give it a try too.
Rich
2.0 GHZ Single Core processor. 512MB DDR RAM @ 333 Mhz. 64MB Integrated GMA Graphics.
To make it basic, I just used the standard theme (without Aero.) In fact, under these conditions, Aero doesn’t work at all (I just using generic drivers as it works pretty well.)
Is that what you meant by “Basic”?
MSherwood
Yeah that’s what I meant. I probably won’t run it on the other computer. Right now it has 256K RAM and it crawls on XP SP3. It does have a 1.5 GHz single core, but I don’t want it to explode or anything. Thanks man.
David
Thanks for the info. Now I will definitely install Windows 7 on my 512mb ram computer. I just have to wait until Jan 17th cause I reached my bandwidth:(
I like that they removed a lot of junk features that are in vista.
Abhinav K
It think it’s fake…..
In the second screenshot, mfpmp.exe is utilizing 65 % of CPU and Windows Media 4% CPU, but why is the accumulative CPU usage in the status bar is just 10%.
Rich
It’s a straight screenshot from my desktop. However, you are correct on the CPU usage… odd. I still affirm Windows 7 works really well with 512MB RAM.
Chris
Abhinav.
Take a look at your task manager before you post noobish remarks.
They all do that.
Absolutely Win 7 will run under 512mb normal use.
John
I think possibly it is a percentage of the the percentage being used, so mfpmp.exe is using 65% of the 10% in use.
Not a helpful comment from Chris, but then he is obviously totally l33t and pwns us noobs at looking at task manager.
NO$GM_Bob
oh boy. Well I’m glad it runs with 512mb. It also seems to have vistas memory-cache system, just ramped up a bit. I’m running the x64 Win 7 with 4GB dual 667, and it seems to always occupy 1.22GB a minute or two after startup, nothing having been run yet. Vista takes 825MB in this same situation, same drivers (literally, being a laptop, I had to pilfer some nvidia dev drivers for vista..).
Mind you, this is for quick startup or common services, tasks, etc. When I took out one of the 2GB modules and popped in a 1GB, that 1.25GB dropped to 1GB flat. Windows 7 under testing gives up all non-essential ram instantly to and program that demands more memory, before ever hitting the pagefile. Good system, runs well.
DanielRemains
This is what I get with Aero Peek and WMP network service turned off
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/657816/Pics/Win7281mb.jpg
Angie
Thanks for sharing the info and the screenshots, Rich. I have a 1.5 GHZ Intel Processor with Celeron M and 1.5 GB RAM. Windows 7 is lookin good!
Keith
hey!
haha after i read this thread i got inspired…
so i tried it out.. and look what i got…
its like im just running windows xp :P…
my specs:
CPU: P4 1.5 GHz RAM: 512 MB HD: 60 GB(the windows 7 partition is only 19.5 GB) GFX CARD: NVIDIA XFX 5200 (you look the specs up but i think its just 128 MB of RAM)
hey i can also run aero!!! and its still smooth(well not that smooth but its still cool) but i turned it off cause i dont need/use it anyway…
so finding out a way to reduce more ram usage…
Rich
Sounds good. Thanks for sharing your specs Keith.
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