memory allocation for LEMP wordpress 1GB linode

For Linux and Unix, free memory = wasted memory. The operating system will try to make use of all memory. The filesystem, for example, reads and writes all file accesses through memory. So the next process to read from that file will get it directly from memory.

As for swap, you can to some extent adjust how willing the operating system is to push non-accessed memory pages to swap, by changing /proc/sys/vm/swappiness from the default '60' to e.g. '10' (less eager to write to swap). Permanently (that is, survives boot) set in /etc/sysctl.conf or (depending on distro) /etc/sysctl.d/your-config (whatever). Add a line

vm.swappiness=10

and you're set. Increase the value to increase swappiness instead of reducing it.

thank you i will try that. what should i use to determine if my 1gb server can support another wordpress installation or two?