Difference between revisions of "FAQ: Understanding Memory"
(→How do I allocate more memory for MIPAV?) |
m (→I edited that topic and added more information about memory allocation from MIPAV listserv) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | + | When MIPAV performs a function, such as visualizing an image file, it uses RAM on your computer. When you run MIPAV for the first time you must specify the maximum amount of memory (it calls the maximum heap size in the dialog box) that you would like to allocate for MIPAV, so it can take the full advantage of the memory resources available in your machine. The default value is 1000 MB. The amount of memory you can allocate to MIPAV is limited by how much RAM is installed on your system. | |
− | + | ||
− | {| | + | === User permissions === |
− | | | + | MIPAV’s memory allocation is a program- level feature and it affects all users of a given MIPAV installation. You can only change the amount of allocated memory, if you are running MIPAV using an administrative account. |
+ | |||
+ | === Memory limitations === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; color: black;" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | '''OS''' | ||
+ | | '''Max memory | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Windows 32 | ||
+ | |1.3 GB | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Windows 64 | ||
+ | |196 TB | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Mac OS | ||
+ | |196 TB | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Linux 32 | ||
+ | |4 GB | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Linux 64 |
− | + | |196 TB | |
|} | |} | ||
− | + | '''Comment:''' These memory allocations are limited by how much RAM is installed on your computer. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | === How can I allocate (more) memory for MIPAV? === | |
− | + | ||
+ | '''When you are installing MIPAV''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Starting version 5.4.2 (TBD) the easiest way to allocate memory in MIPAV is to do it when you are installing MIPAV. You can select the memory value in the JVM Memory Limit pane. The default value is set to 1000 MB. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
=== How much memory does MIPAV require to run? === | === How much memory does MIPAV require to run? === |
Revision as of 14:11, 10 April 2012
When MIPAV performs a function, such as visualizing an image file, it uses RAM on your computer. When you run MIPAV for the first time you must specify the maximum amount of memory (it calls the maximum heap size in the dialog box) that you would like to allocate for MIPAV, so it can take the full advantage of the memory resources available in your machine. The default value is 1000 MB. The amount of memory you can allocate to MIPAV is limited by how much RAM is installed on your system.
Contents
- 1 User permissions
- 2 Memory limitations
- 3 How can I allocate (more) memory for MIPAV?
- 4 How much memory does MIPAV require to run?
- 5 What affects memory requirements?
- 6 How do I determine the amount of additional memory needed?
- 7 How do I determine how much memory is currently being used?
- 8 How do I free memory?
User permissions
MIPAV’s memory allocation is a program- level feature and it affects all users of a given MIPAV installation. You can only change the amount of allocated memory, if you are running MIPAV using an administrative account.
Memory limitations
OS | Max memory |
Windows 32 | 1.3 GB |
Windows 64 | 196 TB |
Mac OS | 196 TB |
Linux 32 | 4 GB |
Linux 64 | 196 TB |
Comment: These memory allocations are limited by how much RAM is installed on your computer.
How can I allocate (more) memory for MIPAV?
When you are installing MIPAV
Starting version 5.4.2 (TBD) the easiest way to allocate memory in MIPAV is to do it when you are installing MIPAV. You can select the memory value in the JVM Memory Limit pane. The default value is set to 1000 MB.
How much memory does MIPAV require to run?
MIPAV requires a base of at least 10 Mb of random access memory (RAM). However, to correctly display image files and to quantify the data, you need to allocate more memory, disk swap space, or install additional memory beyond this base. Each time MIPAV is installed, it always defaults to 100 Mb.
File:FAQMain.backup7.gif |
What affects memory requirements?
Memory requirements fluctuate depending on the size and number of image files that are open at the same time. Factors affecting memory requirements are the following:
File:FAQMain.backup11.gif |
Note:Java provides a method called Garbage Collector that clears all unnecessarily reserved memory. Generally, the software does this automatically, when free memory becomes very limited. However, you can run the Garbage Collector at any time to free memory (refer to "How do I free memory?" ).
How do I determine the amount of additional memory needed?
Example 1
If an image file is 2 Mb and you only want to display one image file at a time, you must allocate an additional 20 Mb of RAM to the base memory of 10 Mb to result in a memory requirement of 30 Mb.
Example 2
If the largest size image file is 2 Mb and you want to display 3 image files simultaneously, multiply 2 Mb by 10. Then multiply that sum by 3. Add that total to the base memory of 10 Mb to yield a memory requirement of 70 Mb.
10 Mb Base memory required for running MIPAV
70 Mb Total memory required
How do I determine how much memory is currently being used?
In the MIPAV window, select Help > Memory Usage. The Memory Monitor dialog box (Figure 3) appears.
The Memory Monitor dialog box shows how much memory is allocated and the amount of memory that is being used. The graph displays a pictorial representation of the ratio of allocated memory and amount of memory used. It shows the memory usage during the past 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
Note: You can leave this window open if you want to constantly monitor your memory resources.
How do I free memory?
The Garbage Collector allows you to delete unnecessarily reserved memory. To free memory, do the following procedure periodically:
<1 Select Help > Memory Usage in the MIPAV window. The Memory Monitor dialog box (Figure 3) appears.
2 Click Free Memory. The system clears all unnecessarily reserved memory.