Best Memory Settings for Intensive Work

Hi there,

I am working on a 2x2.66 GHz-Dual Core Mac with 8 GB memory. I have to run some extensive computing programs under Windows XP (for GIS and Remote Sensing) and wonder what the best memory settings are.

There is in the Parallels Preferences a Memory (I set it to 3 GB) setting; in the Virtual Machine Memory settings (max. 2 GB reached) and Video settings (32 MB).

Anything I should change or add to make my Windows run faster?

Thanks for any hints!

 

1. Set memory for Virtual Machine to not more than 2 gb
2. Perform Mac and Windows side disk defragmentation http://www.xvsxp.com/system/system_tools_defrag.php
3. Set Adjust memory limit from Auto to Manual at Parallels Desktop -Preferences-Memory, and set limit a bit more higher than VM memory
4. Disable Themes in Windows XP serives.msc stop Themes service
5. If you are running in Coherence, try to switch to Single Window, or lower Mac resolution
6. Some antivirus software can load CPU when Heuristic Prediction is set, or Tamper protection (Symantec, MacAffey), adjust settings to risk you are supposed, high security settings is not always good idea, as it can also affect software running
7. Run msconfig , and disable unneeded startup items
See http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_xp.html
8. Make sure that no VNC,or remote desktop connection is established to Mac, this can slowdown Parallels Desktop
9. Optimize computer experience for best performance