dpeast12
Level 1 (3 points)

Q: Kernal task using 1.03GB RAM in Activity Monitor?

Hello,

 

I  have a 13inch MBP running Mavericks 10.9.4 with a 2.7 GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 500GB HD. I just recently had the machine Factory Reset. The only APP's I've added are PAGES, NUMBERS and KEYNOTE.  When I check the ACTIVITY MONITOR it indicates that out of 16GB of RAM MEMORY, 5.51GB is being used. Usually ACTIVITY MONITOR indicates that as much as 9GB RAM is being used. This MBP is 3 years old and I clearly upgraded the RAM from 4GB (I think) to 16GB. Since this MBP used to run with only 4GB of RAM total; it seems to me that the current amount of memory being used, from 5.51GB up to 9GB out of 16GB total RAM is unusually high. In addition, the above numbers were displayed when only Safari and Activity Monitor are running. Is this normal for Mavericks OSX?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Dennis

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), MBP 2.7 GHz i7 16 GB RAM, 500 GB HD

Posted on Aug 20, 2014 3:36 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,044 points)
Applications
A:

It's normal in Mavericks for almost all memory to be in use, either by applications or by the file cache. That's what you should want, since unused memory is going to waste. The relevant measure of whether memory is in short supply is what Apple calls "memory pressure."

Apple's explanation of memory pressure is here. If you want a more detailed, technical description, see here.

Posted on Aug 20, 2014 7:14 PM

Close
dpeast12

Q: Kernal task using 1.03GB RAM in Activity Monitor?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 20, 2014 7:14 PM in response to dpeast12
    Level 10 (208,044 points)
    Applications
    Aug 20, 2014 7:14 PM in response to dpeast12

    It's normal in Mavericks for almost all memory to be in use, either by applications or by the file cache. That's what you should want, since unused memory is going to waste. The relevant measure of whether memory is in short supply is what Apple calls "memory pressure."

    Apple's explanation of memory pressure is here. If you want a more detailed, technical description, see here.

  • by BobHarris,Helpful

    BobHarris BobHarris Aug 20, 2014 8:19 PM in response to dpeast12
    Level 6 (19,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 20, 2014 8:19 PM in response to dpeast12

    I have a 16GB Macbook Pro, and my kernel_task has 1.12GB or RAM,  15.85GB used, split between app memory at 6.67GB, file cache at 7.36GB, and 1.83GB wired.

     

    So what.  My Mac is running fine.  I do not care how RAM is used, as long as I am getting good performance.

     

    Unused RAM is wasted RAM.  My Mac is making sure I get full value from my money.

     

    If you are having an actual performance issue, please describe what you are seeing, what apps you are running at the time, and if you have an anti-malware or Mac cleaner apps running on your system (historical trouble makers).

     

    If your system is running fine, then either do not worry about it, or follow the pointers Linc has provided.