Adjust java heap setting so Sierra can use more RAM

Owned by Lloyd Chittenden, created
Last updated: Sept 15, 2021
2 min read

The default Sierra install includes a limit on the amount of RAM Sierra is allowed to use, so it won’t hog your system resources. This default limit has not been changed in many years, while most computer systems have greatly increased available memory in that time, so they can handle allowing Sierra more resources.

Changing this setting can help speed up Sierra when you are running demanding functions like large global updates.

This change will increase the RAM Sierra can use to 1GB. This should be fine on almost any current PC. However if you have an older PC with a small about of RAM it might be best to leave this as default.

Table of Contents

Step-by-step guide

  1. Open the Sierra Desktop App folder on your C: drive

     

  2. Find the file called iiirunner.lax

     

  3. Open it in a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++

     

  4. Change the number in line 72 to 1073741824 and save the file.

 

5. Restart Sierra.

Troubleshooting steps

If your Sierra is still slow, then this limit on RAM was not the problem.