Will I Be Able To Run Direwolf20 fairly smooth at 2 gb RAM?
- Thread starter mekankan22
- Start date
-
The FTB Forum is now read-only, and is here as an archive. To participate in our community discussions, please join our Discord! https://ftb.team/discord
Actually, I would also like to ask what modpacks are able to run fairly smooth at 1-2gb of RAM. I know that FTB Lite and Agrarian Skies run with a bit of a lag at 1gb RAM..I'm trying to convert to 64-bit OS so that I can allocate 2gb at most. Thanks for replying.
Barring swapfile usage (which would make the game run *extremely* slow, depending on your hard drive speed), RAM doesn't really have much effect on how fast the game will run. If you give it enough RAM, it'll run; if not, it'll crash upon loading a world, if not before.
Also note that giving the game too much RAM can cause trouble with the garbage collector, usually manifesting as periodic lag spikes. But 2GB shouldn't give you these kinds of problems on any pack.
I did some testing on my rather old modified Infinity instance with a few added mods, and found that 2.5 GB was about enough to get it to work (although I was still running into GC issues... hrmph). So 2GB should be enough to run a somewhat lighter pack, such as DW20, as long as you don't add too many mods or use a high-resolution texture pack.
Also note that giving the game too much RAM can cause trouble with the garbage collector, usually manifesting as periodic lag spikes. But 2GB shouldn't give you these kinds of problems on any pack.
I did some testing on my rather old modified Infinity instance with a few added mods, and found that 2.5 GB was about enough to get it to work (although I was still running into GC issues... hrmph). So 2GB should be enough to run a somewhat lighter pack, such as DW20, as long as you don't add too many mods or use a high-resolution texture pack.
Oh ok. By the way, if it isn't RAM that affects how fast the game and how it's performance do, what does? The hard drive? And also, if it isn't too much hassle to you, what other modpacks should run fairly fine in 2gb, or maybe just the names of modpacks that are at least the same size as Direwolf20? Thanks btw for responding.
RAM does affect it, but in my experience it's only those momentary lag spikes. Most of it for me was always processor oriented. Either the game attempting to load new chunks, or because there was too much going on at the time.
There are a few factors to look at:
1). CPU speed. Faster is better. Multi-core not so much, since MC just started using multiple threads for dimensions but still runs on a single core. If you have a good OS and the configuration knowledge you might be able to dedicate a core to MC, leaving the rest to run the OS.
2). Ram. Remember, when allocating ram that you have to leave enough for the OS to function... Without the OS, nothing runs. Also, if you have "integrated graphics" you have to leave a sizable chunk of ram for that because it takes what it needs from system ram. If you have a separate GPU card it probably has it's own ram but if the mainboard has the Integrated GPU you'll probably need to disable it in your bios or the system will still reserve the ram.
3). Make sure that both your OS and Java versions are 64-bit! Having a 32-bit version of either (While 64-bit Java won't install on a 32-bit OS, a 32-bit Java installs just fine on a 64-bit OS) will limit you to running Vanilla and only the smallest of packs... This is because of 32-bit software has to run on 32-bit CPU hardware, which has ram limitations.
This being said, you're update path should be, in order of effectiveness:
1). 64-bit OS. This is the most important thing you can do, assuming you have a 64-bit CPU, of course. A 32-bit CPU cannot run any 64-bit software. If you use Mojang's launcher (Vanilla) or Curse, which links to Mojang's launcher, you don't need to worry about Java, since Mojang loads a runtime of the currently supported version (1.8u25). If you need Java get at least that version.
2). Ram. Depending on your system you might have 1.5 - 2GB that must be reserved for the OS and possible integrated graphics. I've seen people claim that they run fairly big packs on 2.5GB for Java, but it's usually at reduced performance settings like render distance, etc. Since 4GB seems to be about the most ram Java seems to be able to manage while running Minecraft, that's the current default setting Mojang gives their runtime Java config. I'd recommend upgrading to a minimum of 6GB ram. 8GB ram might actually be cheaper and more efficient depending on your hardware.
3). CPU. If you have an older CPU you should be able to get a faster one fairly cheaply. Disregard this step if you have a laptop. Most are designed to only allow everyday users to upgrade ram and maybe the hard disk. Even if your laptop CPU is socketed (mine are) you need a few years experience working on tiny electronic devices and mobile CPUs are not usually available at Fry's or Newegg. They're also expensive.
1). CPU speed. Faster is better. Multi-core not so much, since MC just started using multiple threads for dimensions but still runs on a single core. If you have a good OS and the configuration knowledge you might be able to dedicate a core to MC, leaving the rest to run the OS.
2). Ram. Remember, when allocating ram that you have to leave enough for the OS to function... Without the OS, nothing runs. Also, if you have "integrated graphics" you have to leave a sizable chunk of ram for that because it takes what it needs from system ram. If you have a separate GPU card it probably has it's own ram but if the mainboard has the Integrated GPU you'll probably need to disable it in your bios or the system will still reserve the ram.
3). Make sure that both your OS and Java versions are 64-bit! Having a 32-bit version of either (While 64-bit Java won't install on a 32-bit OS, a 32-bit Java installs just fine on a 64-bit OS) will limit you to running Vanilla and only the smallest of packs... This is because of 32-bit software has to run on 32-bit CPU hardware, which has ram limitations.
This being said, you're update path should be, in order of effectiveness:
1). 64-bit OS. This is the most important thing you can do, assuming you have a 64-bit CPU, of course. A 32-bit CPU cannot run any 64-bit software. If you use Mojang's launcher (Vanilla) or Curse, which links to Mojang's launcher, you don't need to worry about Java, since Mojang loads a runtime of the currently supported version (1.8u25). If you need Java get at least that version.
2). Ram. Depending on your system you might have 1.5 - 2GB that must be reserved for the OS and possible integrated graphics. I've seen people claim that they run fairly big packs on 2.5GB for Java, but it's usually at reduced performance settings like render distance, etc. Since 4GB seems to be about the most ram Java seems to be able to manage while running Minecraft, that's the current default setting Mojang gives their runtime Java config. I'd recommend upgrading to a minimum of 6GB ram. 8GB ram might actually be cheaper and more efficient depending on your hardware.
3). CPU. If you have an older CPU you should be able to get a faster one fairly cheaply. Disregard this step if you have a laptop. Most are designed to only allow everyday users to upgrade ram and maybe the hard disk. Even if your laptop CPU is socketed (mine are) you need a few years experience working on tiny electronic devices and mobile CPUs are not usually available at Fry's or Newegg. They're also expensive.
Last edited:
Corollary to Point 1: If you have an AMD processor, there's no configuration needed. Open task manager, right click the process, go to Set Affinity and uncheck the processors you're not using. Repeat for other processes. Some system processes won't let you do this, but are in my experience so light as to be not a difference maker.
Presumably it's a bit more difficult on Linux, but I'm certain someone can guide you through the process.
Presumably it's a bit more difficult on Linux, but I'm certain someone can guide you through the process.
I'll have to try that on My fresh installation of Windows 10... It used to be harder to do. I'm sure MC doesn't need all 8 cores (actually 4 physical dual cores) of my FX8350
By the way, by "run smoothly" I mean without, specifically, FPS lag. Does increasing RAM help with the fps lag? I'm getting horrible lag even at Agrarian Skies at 1gb. Also, I heard that graphic cards is responsible for the fps lag. Bad graphics card=bad fps. Is it true? And if it is, is Intel(R) HD Graphics enough? (Please don't tell me to buy/upgrade because we're in a third world country where we can barely afford to pay for electricity)
I have a laptop with the Intel "HD" Graphics... It won't even run Vanilla decently, although an extra GB ram would help a little bit. The major problem with the Integrated Graphics is that it steals ram from your overall config... If you have 2GB ram total in your system, you only have 1.5-1.75GB really available because 256-512MB is reserved for the graphics.
A bit of performance information for your consideration:
1). 64-bit OS and Java. While 32-bit Java can still run Vanilla MC and very tiny mod packs, the restrictions of the 32-bit CPU hardware architecture (no more than 4GB directly accessible) will "strait-jacket" your experience, as above any other consideration you have to leave enough free ram to run the OS, between 1-1.5GB. While a 64-bit CPU CAN run a 32-bit OS it will never exceed this ram limit since all 32-bit software was written with this limit in mind, even with a maximum ram installation (about 64GB currently on non-servers). Even 32-bit Java running on a 64-bit OS will have the limit.
2). Separate GPU system. As mentioned above, Integrated Graphics use up system ram, while also slowing overall performance by forcing the CPU to occasionally wait for ram access. Separate GPU cards usually have their own dedicated ram on board. Also, if you install a new GPU card in a Desktop having built-in graphics, you should go into BIOS and disable the On-board graphics or it will keep reserving that ram.
3). Even 64-bit Java seems to have issues with more than about 4GB allocated for it's use when running Minecraft. This is due to the way Minecraft is written more than Java, since I have seen other Java programs using larger allocations.
4). Total Ram when running Minecraft. My rule of thumb is to keep 2GB free for the OS and allocate 4GB for MC with large mods. This means a minimum installation of 6GB, although 8GB is generally easier and cheaper. Many like to keep other programs like chat or a web browser for wiki open while playing so the extra 2GB can be useful, but the more programs running the less CPU "power" can be used for Minecraft.
I'm not telling you to upgrade, just presenting physical configuration realities you must face. If you cannot upgrade you will have to compensate in other ways such as using smaller packs and reducing your game settings, perhaps drastically.
A bit of performance information for your consideration:
1). 64-bit OS and Java. While 32-bit Java can still run Vanilla MC and very tiny mod packs, the restrictions of the 32-bit CPU hardware architecture (no more than 4GB directly accessible) will "strait-jacket" your experience, as above any other consideration you have to leave enough free ram to run the OS, between 1-1.5GB. While a 64-bit CPU CAN run a 32-bit OS it will never exceed this ram limit since all 32-bit software was written with this limit in mind, even with a maximum ram installation (about 64GB currently on non-servers). Even 32-bit Java running on a 64-bit OS will have the limit.
2). Separate GPU system. As mentioned above, Integrated Graphics use up system ram, while also slowing overall performance by forcing the CPU to occasionally wait for ram access. Separate GPU cards usually have their own dedicated ram on board. Also, if you install a new GPU card in a Desktop having built-in graphics, you should go into BIOS and disable the On-board graphics or it will keep reserving that ram.
3). Even 64-bit Java seems to have issues with more than about 4GB allocated for it's use when running Minecraft. This is due to the way Minecraft is written more than Java, since I have seen other Java programs using larger allocations.
4). Total Ram when running Minecraft. My rule of thumb is to keep 2GB free for the OS and allocate 4GB for MC with large mods. This means a minimum installation of 6GB, although 8GB is generally easier and cheaper. Many like to keep other programs like chat or a web browser for wiki open while playing so the extra 2GB can be useful, but the more programs running the less CPU "power" can be used for Minecraft.
I'm not telling you to upgrade, just presenting physical configuration realities you must face. If you cannot upgrade you will have to compensate in other ways such as using smaller packs and reducing your game settings, perhaps drastically.