start with say
600 maxmem
copy files from one partition to another and then back when finished
use small page file size
OS if its idling too high (used RAM) is a good indication but it this is not really
i always use one of my low end nvidia cards for Pi normally as it seems to give me good times.....ati i always take a hit on donno why
you should be able to shave more
anyways i'll leave you to it