Memory question after 10.5.7

Open the activity monitor app in /Applications/Utilities

This will show you which processes are you using your memory resources.

Well, those sound a bit high to me. I just started my computer and launched Safari. Activity Monitor shows Used system memory at 747MBs, with Safari using 67MBs, kernel_task is next at 52MBs, then WindowServer and the Dock. Finder wasn't using much at all, so I opened a folder with a batch of graphics files (the window is set to display thumbs in icon view) and selected a file and hit QuickLook, and Finder jumped up to second place, using 55MBs of RAM.

You might restart and then see what you have. You could also launch Console from your Utilities folder and check the Console Messages, see if it looks like anything is struggling with a problem.
Francine


Francine
Schwieder

The Finder memory usage may very well depend on the number of folders opened (the desktop counts as one of those folders), and the number of files and (unique) icons the Finder needs to handle in those open folders.

With respect to unique icons, standard document icons that are used as the icon for multiple files would take up less Finder memory, but if each file has its own unique icon, like lots of JPEG files with each file displaying an icon representing the contents of the file.

Many people dont realise this issue.

I have dealt with many clients in my work who complain their mac is running slowly and feels sluggish.

When I get there I see their desktop has 100's of files and folders on it.

I move their entire desktop files into 1 folder called 'desktidy sortme out'

then the mac runs fast again.