Quick Answer
Disabling pagefile causes game crashes and memory allocation failures regardless of physical RAM capacity. Windows and game engines require virtual commit space to allocate resources properly. Without pagefile, total commit limit equals physical RAM, triggering abrupt crashes during allocation spikes. Keep pagefile enabled with system managed size to ensure stability.
Pros
- Dual M.2 slots listed for storage expansion
- Dual-channel DDR4 memory design (manufacturer-stated)
- Multiple USB, SATA and network card interfaces listed
- E-ATX form factor on LGA 2066 socket
Cons
- Broad CPU and MSI fit claims; verify before buying
- No independent benchmark or thermal results provided
Pros
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D listed with 8 cores and 16 threads
- Three M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 x16 support on the board
- 2.5GbE LAN plus Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 listed
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port listed on the motherboard
Cons
- Cooler not included; the listing recommends liquid cooling
Pros
- Built for the sTRX4 platform and 3rd Gen Threadripper CPUs, which suits serious workstation use.
- Strong power delivery design is well matched to sustained multi-core workloads.
- Triple PCIe 4.0 M.2 support offers excellent fast-storage expansion.
- Thermal design is more extensive than typical consumer boards, with multiple heatsinks and hybrid fan headers.
Cons
- Only compatible with AMD sTRX4 Threadripper processors, so it is not a universal motherboard choice.
- The listed networking is Intel Gigabit Ethernet, with no higher-speed multi-gig or Wi-Fi features specified.
- Its feature set is aimed at high-end creator systems, so it may be more than most general-purpose users need.
Overview: The ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro S is an ATX motherboard built for the AMD sTRX4 platform and 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper processors. It is clearly aimed at content creation and workstation builds, with a premium component layout designed for demanding users.
Performance: With 16 power stages, ProCool II connectors, premium chokes, and capacitors, the board is designed to provide stable power for heavy multi-core workloads. It also includes multiple heatsinks, an active chipset cooling solution, and triple PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for fast storage expansion.
Considerations: This is a specialized board, so compatibility is limited to sTRX4 Threadripper CPUs. The manufacturer specifications list Intel Gigabit Ethernet, and no Wi-Fi or higher-speed multi-gig networking is specified.
Verdict: For users building a high-end creator PC or workstation around a 3rd Gen Threadripper CPU, the Prime TRX40-Pro S offers the power delivery, thermal design, and expansion expected from a premium platform. It is best for buyers who will make full use of its workstation-focused features.
Disabling the Windows pagefile (virtual memory) does not make games faster on any system with a modern memory subsystem, and it is a well-documented cause of game crashes, “out of memory” dialogs, and application terminations. The cause is not that the pagefile is read during gameplay. It is that Windows enforces a commit limit, and without a pagefile that limit shrinks to roughly the installed physical RAM. Modern titles routinely commit more memory than they actively touch.
What the Pagefile Does
The pagefile (pagefile.sys, typically in the root of the system volume) is a backing store for the Windows memory manager. Manufacturer documentation specifies three distinct functions:
