If PC runs really slow when alt tabbing a game is it a RAM problem?

[1984]

I basically have 12 gb ram, all other parts plausible and some games t says 16 gb ram recommended. Sometimes I experience computer working really really slowly if I alt tab while playing this RAM demanding games.

I checked and so far it has only occurred with 16 gb games like Fallout 76 and Hitman 2. So it makes me suspicious. Or are those games just really unstable and not optimized for this?

[Arya]

It could also be a CPU issue. Some CPUs don't handle multi-tasking well, and alt-tabbing can snow them under. What kind are you using?

[Arya]

Originally posted by ZERO KAY PER CENT:

Originally posted by Wolfey:

It could also be a CPU issue. Some CPUs don't handle multi-tasking well, and alt-tabbing can snow them under. What kind are you using?

i7 980 which is really old i know but it does very well on most other games including Fallout 4 and I do not max out settings. Additionally it is 6 cores with 3,3 ghz which should be good for multi tasking

I agree - I just had to check.

I'd recommend checking your resource usage. The most basic way to do that is open alt-tab into Task Manager(CTRL + ALT + Delete) and see what your RAM and CPU usage is.

[MA☝Omgwtfbbqstfu™]

I'm sure windows swaps out plenty of stuff , so yes, ram is the factor. Multitasking is just more stable when you have enough.

[r.linder]

Yeah it shouldn't be the CPU, because the i7-980's multi-threaded performance is about on par with a Ryzen 5 1600 which wouldn't have that issue if it had fast enough RAM.

[Nabster]

Ssd would help

[Arya]

Originally posted by Nabster:

Ssd would help

An SSD won't make any difference here. All an SSD does is provide a faster access speed for data; that doesn't directly impact framerate, or how quickly the PC runs. And so it won't effect alt-tabbing.

[Washell]

Originally posted by Wolfey:

An SSD won't make any difference here. All an SSD does is provide a faster access speed for data; that doesn't directly impact framerate, or how quickly the PC runs. And so it won't effect alt-tabbing.

Slow alt-tabbing means stuff needs to be loaded from the pagefile. AKA data needs to be loaded from the drive, so an SSD does make a (massive) difference compared to a HDD, and plays a big role in alt-tabbing.

@OP: all your other processes are being put to sleep on the HDD/SSD to facilitate the memory needs of the game. You're going to need (a lot) more RAM if you want to maintain sweet alt-tabbing. 16GB for the game + 4GB to keep windows and a browser lively. It's a waste of money to do that with new DDR3. I'd keep my eyes open for a set of second hand sticks and/or start thinking about a new motherboard/CPU/RAM. Black friday tomorrow...

[Washell]

Originally posted by ZERO KAY PER CENT:

I thought when they write up 16 gb they already include windows stuff

Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. There's no governing authority dictating how system requirements are to be determined and written. If you want to alt-tab without waiting in each and every case, you need to assume that the expects windows to write stuff to the swapfile, heavily.

[tacoshy]

Originally posted by ZERO KAY PER CENT:

Originally posted by Washell:

Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. There's no governing authority dictating how system requirements are to be determined and written. If you want to alt-tab without waiting in each and every case, you need to assume that the expects windows to write stuff to the swapfile, heavily.

alright. I wonder if 24 will cut it. On my next pc I will probably go for 64 seeing as how 32 might be the new upper limit in the future years and 16 becoming the new norm

unless you do professional work, youz wont evcen sue up 32GB RAM. Also amke sure to fully utilize dual channel by having in both channels the same ammount of RAM.
64GB for gaming is just stupid. The games that use mroe then 16GB RAM I can count on one hand. All of thsoe only do this when heavily modded.
In the future when you actually need 32GB RAM, you want DDR5. No reason now to overspend on RAM now that you proberly going to ditch then with the enxt upgrade.

[DeLucia]

I'm running an oc'd i7 930 with 12GB ram and 2 ssd's and have never noticed any issues. Haven't tried those 2 games but I did play the Hitman before though.

[Butters]

Switch from full screen to windowed mode borderless in game.

Much faster alt tabbing.

[MA☝Omgwtfbbqstfu™]

SSD is a fast page file, but you still feel it, trust me, i went from 16-32 a while back.

[tacoshy]

Originally posted by ZERO KAY PER CENT:

While I agree with you on the subject, soonish the minimum requirement will go up to 16 GB and upperlimit within next 5 years may be 32. Add alt tabbing with lots of stuff going on, maybe throw in video decoding etc and I think it will be fine. That way I can keep my mobo and ram and just swap out graphics card provided my cpu is something like 6 or 8 cores of 3+ ghz.

So it will last me 10 years just like this system is nearing its 10 years limit, if not for the RAM i have.

Some pople say dont future proof just buy new pc every 5 years, but I prefer to keep my pc longer. Hell, this pc will probably work still.

The thing is that it is cheaper not to use the PC 10 years. Not only performancewise but also cost wise. If you buy a new PC every 10 years - I have to spend a lot of money. The trick is to upgrade a part and resell ti befor you lose to much money. For example I bought my GTX 1080 Ti for 829€ 20 month ago. I resold it already for 750€ for upgrading to the enxt part. Means the 20 month I sued it, I only payed 79€. If I resell ti a year later when even the warranty is gone, I'will be happy if I get 500€. in 10 years? not even going be able to sell it anymore.

Also if you say in 5 years, then you can upgrade in 5 years when stuff gets cheaper. Why upgrade now to be future proof to use that stuff in 5 years which youc ant use now?
Its liek saving as a 8 year old all your pocket money and buy a car with 13 because you could drive and use in when you get 18.

[_I_]

what cpu?
pii/fx 3.3ghz is not fast

and if your page file is on a spinning hdd it will slow things down