I have:

$ sudo sysctl vm
Password:
vm.loadavg: 1.76 1.63 1.11
vm.nkmempages = 32768
vm.anonmin = 10
vm.execmin = 5
vm.filemin = 10
vm.maxslp = 20
vm.uspace = 16384
vm.anonmax = 80
vm.execmax = 30
vm.filemax = 50
vm.bufcache = 15
vm.bufmem = 72824832
vm.bufmem_lowater = 20106240
vm.bufmem_hiwater = 160849920
$

But even with this, I find that on my 1GB IBM X31, a cvs followed by a build.sh
forces available memory for apps down below 30Mb. 

I'm not sure this matters, (runtime speed on this baby is awesome compared to
my 700Mhz Dell with 256Mb, 1.6Ghz 1Gb is just lovely!) -but its confusing to
a l(user) like me that the apparent restriction in sysctl terms on memory usage
doesn't seem to stop it consuming all free space.

My take is that sysctl vm tuning is still a black art. 

-George

-- 
George Michaelson       |  APNIC
Email: ggm@apnic.net    |  PO Box 2131 Milton QLD 4064
Phone: +61 7 3858 3150  |  Australia
  Fax: +61 7 3858 3199  |  http://www.apnic.net