Kernel task is using 2-4GB of RAM

Question

I have a late 2012 iMac with 16GB of RAM.  At any given time 2-4GB of RAM is in use by the kernel task. My system isn't trucking along for it, thankfully, but it still has me somewhat concerned.  How can I identify what is responsible for this significant consumption of RAM and how can I reduce it?

Answer 1

Hello,
Open Console in Applications>Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or some USB or Firewire device, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts (Users & Groups in later OSX versions)>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons