2

I am using Ubuntu 13.10 on a computer with 3072 MB RAM and 20 GB swap. It is an HP G62 laptop which overheats pretty regularly.

When I type free -mt in the terminal the output is:

free -mt
             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          2873       2741        132          0          9       1084
-/+ buffers/cache:       1648       1225
Swap:        19529         42      19487
Total:       22403       2784      19619

Note the free memory: 132 MB!! The maximum free memory I have observed is 750 MB directly after startup. Whats happening???

also note the temperatures:

sensors

acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +78.0°C  (crit = +99.0°C)

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 0:       +75.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +90.0°C)
Core 2:       +72.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +90.0°C)
irrational John
  • 5,247
Rumanoid
  • 57

1 Answers1

2

I think it is "simply" not as bad as you think. Linux uses some of your ram for disk caching. Take a look at the explanations and suggestions on this page: Linux ate my RAM!.

Mem:          2873       2741        132          0          9       1084

-/+ buffers/cache:       1648       1225

this tells you that you've got 1225 MB free...

i don't know what's the "normal" temp of your system, but i don't think it's heavily addicted to your ram usage...

irrational John
  • 5,247
Wolfgang
  • 718