Photoshop using less ram than allocated to it

[Bramby]

Hi!

Whenever I use PS, after it hits about 3200MB of memory usage I get "memory full" issues. This is even though I have 16GB of RAM, of which PS is set to use
10 385MB (Set in the preferances window in PS). I´ve scoured all around my computer and I only seem to have one .exe file for PS, which is located in the Program Files folder, indicating that it is indeed the 64bit version, as far as I can see at least. I´ve had this issue with both CC 2017 and 2018.

Does anyone know why this could be? I´ll be happy to provide more information as needed!

Summary: I have...

• 64 bit Windows 10
• A total of 16GB of RAM available
• PS set to use 10 385 MB of RAM
• Tried to make sure I´m using 64 bit PS
• Ran into memory issues once PS hits ~3200 MB of memory usage
• Experienced the problem in both CC 2017 and 2018

[Test Screen Name]

Please describe in detail the “memory full” issues including the exact words of any message.

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

Memory in Photoshop isn't just RAM, it's also the scratch disk. Photoshop moves vast amounts of data, and only a small portion of it can be held in RAM, even if you have a lot of it. So Photoshop reserves a portion of your hard drive for temporary working storage. This is the scratch disk.

If you don't have a separate drive set up for scratch, your system drive is used. If it's about to fill up you get this message.

[Bramby]

Cheers! That did it!