When Linux uses system RAM, it creates a virtual memory layer to then assigns processes to virtual memory. … Using the way file mapped memory and anonymous memory are allocated, the operating system can have processes using the same files working with the same virtual memory page thus using memory more efficiently.

How does virtual memory work in Linux?

Linux supports virtual memory, that is, using a disk as an extension of RAM so that the effective size of usable memory grows correspondingly. The kernel will write the contents of a currently unused block of memory to the hard disk so that the memory can be used for another purpose.

How much memory does Linux use?

The sweet spot for RAM in a typical Linux desktop is about half of what you would want for Windows. I would want at minimum 8GB for what you outline. 4GB for main desktop and 1GB for non-GUI VMs; 2GB for GUI VMs.