Windows (and linux for that matter) use the not actively used part of physical system memory as a cache. Basically any recent/frequently used data ends up there for quick access later. Faster than pulling from the HDD/SSD.
This image is from my current Task Manager window on the memory page. Currently, 8.1GB being used. Of the 23.7GB of "free" memory, it actually has 23.5GB of cached data in it. Shown both in text form and graphicly in the bar above. Left slightly darker bit is actively used memory. The next chunk using most of the rest of the bar is used as cache. The little sliver all the way to the right is actually free unused memory.
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On a fresh boot, the cache is pretty much zero. But will grow as the system is used. Eventually filling most of your memory. Sometimes big chunks will get freed up.
As for usefulness, I have noticed from time to time, memory speed sensitive tasks or benchmarks will see a performance drop when the memory has filled. My assumption at this point is the system needing to spend a few cycles clearing cached data from memory to make room for allocation for active threads to store working data.
This image is from my current Task Manager window on the memory page. Currently, 8.1GB being used. Of the 23.7GB of "free" memory, it actually has 23.5GB of cached data in it. Shown both in text form and graphicly in the bar above. Left slightly darker bit is actively used memory. The next chunk using most of the rest of the bar is used as cache. The little sliver all the way to the right is actually free unused memory.
On a fresh boot, the cache is pretty much zero. But will grow as the system is used. Eventually filling most of your memory. Sometimes big chunks will get freed up.
As for usefulness, I have noticed from time to time, memory speed sensitive tasks or benchmarks will see a performance drop when the memory has filled. My assumption at this point is the system needing to spend a few cycles clearing cached data from memory to make room for allocation for active threads to store working data.
Statistics: Posted by prophet4NO1 — Today, 2:47 am