• Unia
  • #! Die-hard
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  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-07-17
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Topic: [Solved] RAM memory differences

Hey all,

I'm running conky showing my RAM and also took a look at gnome-system-monitor and I noticed there's a difference between the RAM-usage they show.

Conky shows my RAM is about 12-16% and gnome-system-monitor shows 8-10%. Which one is more reliable and how can I fix the inaccuracy of the one that's incorrect?

Last edited by Unia (2010-10-12 13:55:21)

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  • Val_B
  • #! CrunchBanger
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  • From: SE United States
  • Registered: 2010-01-25
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Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

IIRC I noticed this in Ksysguard vs Gnome-System-Monitor, on my netbook when I was running Mint. Ksysguard agreed with Conky, and it showed some things that GSM didn't so I have to think that your conky is probably more correct. I cannot recall exactly what it was that GSM didn't show but I do know the Gnome project has a terrible habit of hiding things that will "confuse" the user.

FWIW Xcfe's taskmanager seems to agree with my Conky as well, so that is 3 programs all saying one thing but GSM saying something different.

Last edited by Val_B (2010-09-19 17:12:18)

  • dubois
  • The Old Codger
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  • From: Austin, Texas
  • Registered: 2010-09-03
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Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

There are two easy ways to double-check your readings.  1. Download htop from the repositories and run it in terminal or 2. just run top in terminal.  Same thing but not as pretty.  big_smile

QUESTION - top is installed by default, correct??

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Cary Grant
  • From: California, USA
  • Registered: 2008-11-29
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Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

In your conky config, try switching the value for "no_buffers". If its set to yes change it to no and vice versa.

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  • Unia
  • #! Die-hard
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Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

anonymous wrote:

In your conky config, try switching the value for "no_buffers". If its set to yes change it to no and vice versa.

Thanks, now they show the same usage. As for the "use top"-suggestion, I can't 'read' it, if you know what I'm talking about.

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  • dubois
  • The Old Codger
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Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

Right.  It's not the most intuitive of processes but the equation as I understand it is

free memory (minus) buffer memory (minus) cached memory (divided by) ten-thousand (equals) RAM used

Took me some time to find that in my hand-written notes and it seems that you've gotten a better, and simpler answer anyway.  wink

Last edited by dubois (2010-09-19 21:35:07)

My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.
Cary Grant
  • From: Nagoya, Japan
  • Registered: 2009-01-07
  • Posts: 1,971

Re: [Solved] RAM memory differences

htop is much easier to use than top, and well worth installing IMHO. It can do a lot of useful things.

John
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