Q: Where is the cache shown on the Activity Monitor stored?
On the memory tab of activity monitor, in the box at the bottom, there is a item called cache. I am wondering where this is stored. It is certainly not on disk, it is certainly not the cache that is part of the processor but, in some architectures, there is a cache external to the processor that is not part of the physical ram. I cannot find any reference to this so I am concerned that it is eating up a good portion of my main memory. If it is, then I am bumping up to my limit of 16 GBs. If not, then I have memory to spare, even with all of the apps, tabs, and windows that I have open.
Unfortunately, the Activity Monitor Help page makes no mention of cache.
Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)
Posted on Aug 27, 2015 6:13 AM
Community Hosts
Hi Whickwithy,
The Cached Files (now called just Cache) is separate from App Memory or Wired Memory. Note how the dividing line between the Columns in the lower chart show that App Memory, Wired Memory and Compressed is actually a breakout, details of Memory Used. Cached Files is listed separately.
The Cached Files is Free Memory that was previously used. It will decrease if currently running Apps need the memory and there is no more previously unused memory available.
Yes, it's pretty cool.
Posted on Aug 29, 2015 6:40 AM
