RAM confusion

[Guest Azurren]

T-Mobile Pulse runs on "Borrowed Ram", ram that should be used to reduce lag with the launcher, dialer and other system apps. You can tell that it's borrowed when using a task killer, the ram will suddenly increase to around 60 then be instantly re-distributed back to the system apps.

However the Samasung galaxy Spica, while having LESS physical ram than the pulse idles around 80mb free going down to around 48mb with 8+ apps running. The Spica doesn't seen to have to borrow much (If any) ram at all from the system apps.

Pulse = 192MB

Spica = 128MB

So.. Did Huawei lie about the amount of RAM dumped into our pulses? Is it simply ignoring the extra? Does the increased screen size really use up xyz more ram? Or is the ROM just so badly designed that it just eats it all?

This issue has been touched upon in the past but no conclusion was ever made :(

Edited July 22, 2010 by Azurren

[Guest BigBearMDC]

T-Mobile Pulse runs on "Borrowed Ram", ram that should be used to reduce lag with the launcher, dialer and other system apps. You can tell that it's borrowed when using a task killer, the ram will suddenly increase to around 60 then be instantly re-distributed back to the system apps.

However the Samasung galaxy Spica, while having LESS physical ram than the pulse idles around 80mb free going down to around 48mb with 8+ apps running. The Spica doesn't seen to have to borrow much (If any) ram at all from the system apps.

Pulse = 192MB

Spica = 128MB

So.. Did Huawei lie about the amount of RAM dumped into our pulses? Is it simply ignoring the extra? Does the increased screen size really use up xyz more ram? Or is the ROM just so badly designed that it just eats it all?

This issue has been touched upon in the past but no conclusion was ever made :(

Well, the first one that opens up the Pulse should make this clear. I'm pretty sure there would be two different RAM chips if we had 198 MB RAM.

Best regards,

BB

[Guest Cazomino05]

I'm leaning towards badly optimized if you look at your process list (Autokiller or a similar app should do the trick) it gives you a list of the RAM everything is using I added it all up and it came to about 120.3MB used in total though I did find the process system seems to be running multiple times amongst other things surely that isn't normal? each instance using 18.18MB though judging by the fact I still have 22MB left I'd say we have more RAM than the Spica

This is assuming of course the application is showing correct data

[Guest BigBearMDC]

I think the kernel is able to "hide" memory. So I guess it could be possible that we have 265 MB RAM. I think that also makes more sense. I doubt one 128 and one 64 MB RAM chips are cheaper than one 265 MB RAM chip. 2 chips mean more work for developers too. I think I never saw a phone before that had two different RAM chips...

Best regards,

BB

[Guest Azurren]

I think the kernel is able to "hide" memory. So I guess it could be possible that we have 265 MB RAM. I think that also makes more sense. I doubt one 128 and one 64 MB RAM chips are cheaper than one 265 MB RAM chip. 2 chips mean more work for developers too. I think I never saw a phone before that had two different RAM chips...

Best regards,

BB

The G1 has the same "odd" amount of ram as the Pulse..

But I don't think it has the same problem as us, that said I can't find any evidence to prove / disprove what problems they do have (Although I'm sure the internet would be filled with QQs from the millions of G1 owner out there if they had the same problem)

[Guest Speckles]

They both have the same amount of RAM - 128MB.

64MB is reserved on both phones for the radio/baseband processor.

On the Pulse the RAM is specified as what is installed in the phone (128+64 = 192MB)

On the Spica the RAM is specified as what is available to the Linux kernel (128MB)

[Guest Azurren]

They both have the same amount of RAM - 128MB.

64MB is reserved on both phones for the radio/baseband processor.

On the Pulse the RAM is specified as what is installed in the phone (128+64 = 192MB)

On the Spica the RAM is specified as what is available to the Linux kernel (128MB)

Even if that were true (I'm not saying it isn't I'm just clueless :() then both phones should be able to run the same amount of applications +/- 1 or 2.

However the pulse can hardly manage to keep one app open with the system and home launcher intact whereas the Spica can manage 8+

Edited July 22, 2010 by Azurren

[Guest Speckles]

It's probably something to do with the fact that the Pulse, after booting the kernel only has 96MB ramaining, as 32MB is instantly reserved for drivers and stuff. If the Spica drivers are more 'lean', then it could easily handle more apps.

Course, we need root on a Spica to check and confirm, or at least a dmesg after bootup.

[Guest Basher52]

I think we got 192 mb of ram with a dirty memory management. This argument is based on the autokiller experience i made, pretty fast.

192 mb because its cheaper than buying one 256mb chip oder two with 128mb's.

@ BigBear

iam informed very well about comupter technologies, if they use old DDR2 memory oder even older technologies like SD oder DDR1, the numbers of connectors per module is very low. (think about 16 pins per side). Newer 128 MB modules use BGA teechnologie, which is much more expensive.

Edited July 22, 2010 by Basher52

[Guest Speckles]

Your missing a few points: The bootloader passes to the kernel "MEM=128MB", hence it only allows the kernel to use 128MB, as 64MB is reserved and possibly at a different address space.

The main processor is BGA, it would be daft to a non-BGA RAM.

Typically, newer ram is much cheaper than older RAM because of greater demand. Eg. 4GB DDR = £200. 4GB DDR2 = £55.

[Guest craigb244]

Well, the first one that opens up the Pulse should make this clear. I'm pretty sure there would be two different RAM chips if we had 198 MB RAM.

Best regards,

BB

Ive opened a pulse... all you see it about 6-7 metal shelds that are covering the components.

never really looked close but i think they are soldered on too

[Guest Speckles]

They would be. That's called RF shielding.

[Guest craigb244]

i know that... just saying it wont be as easy as just looking. wouldnt be removing them from a working phone if they are soldered on!

[Guest Sl4yer]

I'm sure I saw a pic of the inside of a Pulse before I got mine, and the RAM was BGA. I'll post if I can find it again...

[Guest Speckles]

The reference design uses BGA components, so like I said before, it would be daft to use non-BGA components. It would likely cost more, not less, as well as use more board space.

[Guest JimJam707]

It's probably something to do with the fact that the Pulse, after booting the kernel only has 96MB ramaining, as 32MB is instantly reserved for drivers and stuff. If the Spica drivers are more 'lean', then it could easily handle more apps.

Course, we need root on a Spica to check and confirm, or at least a dmesg after bootup.

I have a rooted Spica and would be happy to help.

[Guest DanWilson]

I have a rooted Spica and would be happy to help.

Is the Spica really worth it? I mean, I might make a swap (not with you though! If you thought it was worth it, you wouldn't trade me!).

I just feel the Pulse is a bit slow and inefficient. I mean, not getting texts? Unreal! I lost £11 because I missed the T-Mobile text saying me 6 month internet was over, and missed the "under £2" text. :D

[Guest JimJam707]

Is the Spica really worth it? I mean, I might make a swap (not with you though! If you thought it was worth it, you wouldn't trade me!).

I just feel the Pulse is a bit slow and inefficient. I mean, not getting texts? Unreal! I lost £11 because I missed the T-Mobile text saying me 6 month internet was over, and missed the "under £2" text. :D

As I never had a pulse, I don't really know. I presume it is though. I've never missed any texts and I just had 9 apps open with 30mbs of ram left.

[Guest DanWilson]

As I never had a pulse, I don't really know. I presume it is though. I've never missed any texts and I just had 9 apps open with 30mbs of ram left.

I always thought you had a Pulse... :D

And thats just showing off. I mean, 9? 30MBs left?! I used to struggle with one app and 30 is a magic number (for my Pulse anyway...)

[Guest JimJam707]

I always thought you had a Pulse... :D

And thats just showing off. I mean, 9? 30MBs left?! I used to struggle with one app and 30 is a magic number (for my Pulse anyway...)

Nah. I ordered one but T-Mobile (lied to me?) said it had been cancelled.

[Guest DanWilson]

Nah. I ordered one but T-Mobile (lied to me?) said it had been cancelled.

Oh yeah... Maybe if they can't fix mine (Pulse), they could give me a Spica...

*Looks at Pulse*

*Slowly brandishes hammer*

Oh yeah baby... :D :D

[Guest Speckles]

I have a rooted Spica and would be happy to help.

I borrowed a Spica from someone I know (bought a Pulse, got delivered a Spica as a "free upgrade").

Yes, the Spica has lots more memory available than the Pulse. Fresh after bootup, it seems to be about 50MB more :D

[Guest Azurren]

The screen on the spica is slightly smaller.. Thus while typing you will mistype every so often (Never ever do it with my pulse)

But that is the ONLY thing the Pulse has over the Spica

Spica is:

• Faster
  Lighter
  Cooler
  Smoother
  Louder
  
  ...Better
  

:D

[Guest Rem1x]

The Pulse...

Looks better?

[Guest Azurren]

The Pulse...

Looks better?

Hell no :D

Black and red is just epic

Seriously though.. The Pulse has gaps all over it, shoddy build quality :D