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Start by finding which process is using memory, rather than changing RAM settings or installing an optimizer. Use Windows Task Manager to identify whether the pressure comes from Chrome or another app, then use Chrome’s Task Manager to pinpoint a tab, extension, or background page. Keep the tab playing your music open: Chrome Memory Saver is mainly useful for eligible tabs you are not using, not for unloading the active playback tab.
Find what is using memory before changing settings
Memory use by itself does not prove that your PC needs more RAM. First identify the actual consumer and whether the PC is short of available memory.
- Open Windows Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. In Processes, review the Memory column to see which applications are using the most. Select Performance for an overview of memory use. Windows labels can vary somewhat between Windows 10 and 11. See Microsoft’s performance guidance.
- If Chrome is a large consumer, inspect it separately. In Chrome, open More tools > Task Manager. Sort by Memory and look for unusually large tabs, extensions, or items labeled Background page. Google explains how to sort and end a selected task in its Chrome Task Manager guidance.
- Act only on work you recognize and do not need. Close an unneeded tab or end a clearly unnecessary task. Ending a task can discard unsaved work, so do not terminate an unknown page, extension, or system process just because its memory figure looks high.
Use Chrome Memory Saver for tabs other than the music player
Chrome’s Memory Saver deactivates eligible inactive tabs; selecting one later reloads it. It has three levels, available under Chrome Settings > Performance > Memory Saver, though labels and placement may shift with Chrome updates. Google’s Chrome performance settings help describes the levels:
| Level | What it does | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Provides moderate memory savings and waits longer before tabs become inactive. | Less aggressive tab deactivation; more inactive tabs may remain loaded. |
| Balanced | Google’s recommended setting. | A middle ground between retaining tabs and freeing memory. |
| Maximum | Deactivates tabs after a shorter interval for greater savings. | More tabs may reload when revisited. |
Leave the playing YouTube tab alone
Google lists active audio or video playback among the activities that can prevent a tab from being deactivated. For a PC whose job is to play YouTube music continuously, Memory Saver is therefore intended to reduce memory use from other eligible tabs, not to unload the tab supplying the audio. Keep that playback page open and playing.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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#1 Best Overall
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKtec WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 1-year limited GMKtec's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC.
Keep essential supporting pages active only when necessary
If your workflow depends on another page staying loaded, use Always keep these sites active in Chrome’s Performance settings and add the relevant site or URL pattern. Google documents patterns and gives a YouTube watch URL example in its Memory Saver help. An excluded page retains resources instead of being discarded, so exclude only pages you need to remain loaded.
Trim unnecessary Chrome and Windows background work
Remove browser work that is not needed
Use Chrome Task Manager to identify high-memory extensions or background pages, then remove or disable only extensions you do not need. Change one thing at a time and observe whether it changes the memory use; disabling a required extension may break part of your workflow. Chrome’s performance guidance also points to preload settings. If you change a preload option, do it deliberately and check the result rather than assuming it will solve a memory problem.
Rank #2
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
Stop unneeded apps from launching automatically
In Windows Task Manager, review Startup apps and disable automatic launch for apps that do not need to run when the PC starts. Close unused applications that you recognize. Microsoft recommends monitoring CPU, memory, and disk use and reducing unnecessary startup work in its Windows performance tips. Avoid disabling a startup item if you do not know what it does or whether the streaming setup depends on it.
Know when RAM or virtual memory may matter
Microsoft’s general guidance says, “If you primarily browse the web, work on documents, or stream videos online, aim for at least 4 GB of memory,” and that “8 GB of memory is recommended to keep your device running long term.” The retrieved Microsoft support page does not state a publication year for these recommendations. They are general guidance, not a guarantee that a particular always-on PC will perform well with those amounts or evidence that this machine needs an upgrade.
Rank #3
- Compact and efficient: The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q mini desktop PC is a compact and efficient mini desktop PC with reliable performance, plenty of memory, and efficient storage.
- Stable Processor - 6th Gen Intel Core i3-6100T, delivering reliable processing power for a variety of tasks including office productivity, web browsing and multimedia consumption.
- AMPLE CAPACITY - 8GB DDR4 RAM provides ample memory for seamless multitasking, smooth performance and runs multiple applications at the same time; 256GB solid state drive offers fast boot times, quick data access, and enough storage space for essential files, documents and applications.
- FLEXIBLE EXPANSION - USB Type-A, DisplayPort, RJ-45, headphone/microphone combo jack, ensuring easy connection to peripherals and accessories.
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro - a powerful, secure, compatible and more manageable operating system that helps you better manage and protect your devices and data for greater productivity and security.
Consider a hardware change only if measurements show memory remains constrained after unnecessary tasks are removed, and you have checked the PC’s current RAM, platform, and upgrade compatibility. The machine’s specifications and memory measurements are not established here, so no RAM purchase can be recommended on that basis alone.
Do not start by manually tuning the Windows page file. Microsoft says Windows’ default virtual-memory settings generally perform optimally; page-file changes are not a generic way to reduce the memory consumed by Chrome or other apps. See Microsoft’s page-file guidance.
Rank #4
- 【AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Mini PC For Enhanced Daily Performance】Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 3501U processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, this mini pc provides responsive performance for office applications, home entertainment, online learning, media playback, and everyday computing.
- 【16GB Memory & 512GB Storage With Expansion Options】Built with 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, this mini computer provides more space for applications, files, videos, and daily content. Upgrade memory up to 32GB, expand SSD storage up to 2TB, or add a 2.5-inch HDD.
- 【Flexible Small Desktop Computer For Home Applications】This small desktop computer is designed for home office, streaming, personal server setups, digital entertainment, and light gaming. The upgraded memory helps support smoother operation when using more applications.
- 【Triple Display Setup & Flexible Connectivity】Dual HDMI ports and a full-function USB-C port support up to three displays. This micro pc offers convenient connectivity with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet, and multiple USB ports.
- 【Compact Mini Desktop With Space-Saving Design】Measuring only 5.0 × 4.4 × 1.6 inches, this small pc saves valuable desk space. VESA mount support allows installation behind compatible monitors, making it suitable for home offices and compact workspaces.
Troubleshoot common memory problems
| What you see | Likely next check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Memory use is high, but Chrome is not the largest process. | Windows Task Manager > Processes. | Identify the app using memory. Close it only if it is unnecessary and you recognize it; check Startup apps if it launches automatically. |
| Chrome is high in Windows Task Manager. | Chrome More tools > Task Manager, sorted by Memory. | Inspect individual tabs, extensions, and background pages. Close or end only unneeded work; ending a task may lose unsaved work. |
| Memory Saver is on, but the music tab remains active. | Check whether that tab is currently playing audio or video. | This is expected: active media can prevent deactivation. Use Memory Saver to manage other eligible tabs instead. |
| A tab reloads when you return to it. | Check whether Memory Saver deactivated it. | This is expected behavior. Choose a less aggressive Memory Saver level or keep a necessary site active if reloading disrupts your workflow. |
| The PC still appears constrained after cleanup. | Recheck Windows Task Manager and confirm the PC’s installed RAM and upgrade compatibility. | Assess hardware only with those measurements and specifications; do not assume a page-file change or optimizer is the fix. |
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