I'm using the
tutorial from the CIA conversion for dummies thread, with mixed results. It's constantly freezing on "Almost taking final steps" and my computer bogs waaay down. I was wondering if this is still the best way to do this, or if there's any better converters I can try.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-converting-3ds-to-cia-for-hackers.380695/
Linux has way better support for extending your RAM with your hard drive (a.k.a. swapping). :3
Seriously though, if you want to do anything with converting to .cia, you either have to rewrite the programs used for the conversion so they store their temporary data on disk instead, or get some more ("virtual") RAM (It depends on the size of your game, but you'll need at least ~4GB for most games). Yes, closing all your programs, not integrating manuals, and running in "safe mode" will help, but only so much.
All "converters" use the exact same programs to perform the conversion. They might do things in a slightly different way, but they all need the same amount of RAM.
Also, if you're using the converter "for dummies" on this forum (it looks like you are), try to get an updated build of rom_tool.exe and drop it in the tools folder. It still lags on 2 gigs, but at least I can verify it's actually writing a file. (Protip: rom_tool.exe is the only program used in the "Almost taking final steps" stage)