does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

syms · 2009-03-10 21:22:16

hi,
im going to install archlinux with kdemod3 on 900 mhz, 320 mb ram, 60 gb 7200 rpm computer. while kubuntu 8.04 in that machine isnt very fast, but usable, how about archlinux with kdemod3 (kdemod legacy). on my main 3000+ athlon 64 with 1.5 gb ram it just flies, but how about that old machine? does it will be fast (or even almost as fast as xp)?
thanks for opinions

mythus · 2009-03-10 22:35:29

It should be faster than Kubuntu. However you may find it still slow. For that type of system I'd recomend a lighter environment, like XFCE, or LXDE which is real nice.

filoktetes · 2009-03-10 22:43:48

I've been running Arch with kde3 on a similar machine for years, and for me it's still fast enough. I have used it for quite heavy thing like video editing without getting anoyed by the slowness.
My dad has used Arch+kde3 on a 1200Mhz machine for a few years, and I was surprised a few days ago when I saw it only has 256Mb RAM. Memory has never been a problem there

Inxsible · 2009-03-11 00:45:40

If being fast is your primary concern, you should install a WM instead of a DE. Try out a Openbox or Fluxbox or Pekwm. All of them are pretty nice.

If you are more adventurous, try out dwm or wmii. Dwm on my machine (P3 1.13GHz 256MB RAM 30GB 4000rpm ) is super fast.

renuvio · 2009-03-11 03:36:49

I own a pc with almost the same specs and, runnin' Arch Linux with JWM as a window manager (no bloated DE here), runs very well.

For regular tasks like viewing web pages (with opera), watching tv (tvtime) or listen the local mp3 library (mpd; ncmpc or sonata) the performance is fine. That's what i like of Arch: the chance of select just the packages that you want, or fit better with your hardware requirements.

fumbles · 2009-03-11 03:46:53

.

Last edited by fumbles (2020-09-26 11:56:33)

syms · 2009-03-11 09:45:26

thank you very much for opinions. at least on my main machine kdemod3 working as fast as xfce, and i like kde more than xfce or lxde. i will try to install arch on that system and report the news.

Chrysalis · 2009-03-11 10:01:21

icewm is a good choice for shitty machines too.

http://celettu.wordpress.com/icewm-guide/
http://celettu.wordpress.com/2008/05/25 … pc-useful/

syms · 2009-03-11 14:25:48

Chrysalis wrote:

icewm is a good choice for shitty machines too.
http://celettu.wordpress.com/icewm-guide/
http://celettu.wordpress.com/2008/05/25 … pc-useful/

thanks but dont get me wrong, i dont need a wm, i need a powerful desktop . even if i use lightweight wm my gtk2 and qt apps wont load and work faster, thats why i dont have big interest of lightweight wms.

btartsa · 2009-03-11 14:43:39

There are all sorts of "fast and light" threads on the forums...popular topic. I've had several 500mhz 512mb type machines and with a little sense you can certainly build a decent (efficient) desktop.

Fumbles wrote:

pffft that's not old, it will run fine provided you don't go installing every package

This is (obviously) inaccurate. Installed packages require diskspace but only running processes consume resources (obviously).

syms wrote:

even if i use lightweight wm my gtk2 and qt apps wont load and work faster

Maybe my imagination but I think some themes may be a bit slower than others...might want to watch this.

quarkup · 2009-03-11 14:46:28

yes. it will fly.

btw: if arch has wings; arch flies. no matter what.

Chrysalis · 2009-03-12 04:56:45

syms wrote:

Chrysalis wrote:
icewm is a good choice for shitty machines too.
http://celettu.wordpress.com/icewm-guide/
http://celettu.wordpress.com/2008/05/25 … pc-useful/
thanks but dont get me wrong, i dont need a wm, i need a powerful desktop . even if i use lightweight wm my gtk2 and qt apps wont load and work faster, thats why i dont have big interest of lightweight wms.

Of course they will run faster since it has a fraction of the processes a full blown DE has. Konqueror start up *seems* fast in KDE because it already has it preloaded but what good is that when your ram is full and it has to use the swap?

quarkup · 2009-03-12 11:02:50

syms wrote:

hi,
im going to install archlinux with kdemod3 on 900 mhz, 320 mb ram, 60 gb 7200 rpm computer. while kubuntu 8.04 in that machine isnt very fast, but usable, how about archlinux with kdemod3 (kdemod legacy). on my main 3000+ athlon 64 with 1.5 gb ram it just flies, but how about that old machine? does it will be fast (or even almost as fast as xp)?
thanks for opinions

hi

Im running arch on: KDE 4.2
15G partition
2G Ram
Pentium M 700Mhz (this is underclocked - to avoid the fan's noise)

a great graphics card (256M DDR3)

Fluxbox would fit nicely on your box, as it flies on low ram machines and all others.

It is possible to install fluxbox and the kde's DE tools (dolphin, etc) from the AUR (or even installing the packages of kde)

Last edited by quarkup (2009-03-12 11:11:32)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-03-10 21:22:16

does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#2 2009-03-10 22:35:29

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#3 2009-03-10 22:43:48

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#4 2009-03-11 00:45:40

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#5 2009-03-11 03:36:49

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#6 2009-03-11 03:46:53

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#7 2009-03-11 09:45:26

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#8 2009-03-11 10:01:21

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#9 2009-03-11 14:25:48

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#10 2009-03-11 14:43:39

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#11 2009-03-11 14:46:28

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#12 2009-03-12 04:56:45

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

#13 2009-03-12 11:02:50

Re: does archlinux will fly on that old machine?

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