Arch Linux

yossarianuk

Member

Registered: 2007-05-02

Posts: 103

Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

Hi.

What ever distro I run I always compile the kernel to fit my hardware - remove wireless, etc. and have been doing for several years - I really like the way abs is used to install nvidia driver for custom kernels in arch...

I would like advice though if the following options should be used on a desktop system - some of these are semi new features and am unsure if applicable to a desktop system.

Also if anyone has any suggestions please let me know, I am after a responsive system - I generally play games, etc.

My specs are

AMD AM2 X2 4600 (dual core)
nvidia 8500 (pci-x)
4GB RAM

general setup:-
Group CPU scheduler  - presently disabled
Control Group support  - presently disabled
Optimize for size  - presently disabled

Default I/O scheduler - presently CFQ

Processor type and features:-

Numa Memory Allocation and Scheduler Support - presently disabled
SMT (Hyperthreading) scheduler support   - is this needed for AMD ?
Sparse Memory virtual memmap  - presently enabled

MTRR (Memory Type Range Register)
MTRR cleanup support
MTRR cleanup enable value (0-1)
MTRR cleanup spare reg num (0-7)
x86 PAT support   -i presesntly enable this although use nopat at boot
Timer frequency - i use 1000hz (i know this option is debatable)

Any advice will be welcomed .

Cheers

bangkok_manouel

Member

From: indicates a starting point

Registered: 2005-02-07

Posts: 1,556

Re: Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

maybe it's worth a look:
http://62.3.120.141/~pappy/

broch

Banned

From: L.A. California

Registered: 2006-11-13

Posts: 975

Re: Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

pappy's kernel config is quite specific, moreover so called "hardened" config is patched with grsecurity which is then disabled

Best custom hernel is the one you make for your specific config.
I/O scheduler choice depends on fs
PAT (kernels 2.6.30 or better) has a bug, disabled or not crap will try to load anyway, so I would not bother (at least on 32-bit systems).

Timer fequency depends on your hardware, I would test and see.
Disable as much of debugging as you can (sometimes this one is tricky).

hope this will help a little.

yossarianuk

Member

Registered: 2007-05-02

Posts: 103

Re: Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

thanks for the responses.

I am always torn between 300hz and 1000hz - 300 seems smoother whilst 1000hz seems more responsive - as I like to play games i'll leave it at 1000Hz

t is really these 3 options i am unsure of:-

Numa Memory Allocation and Scheduler Support - presently disabled   - I have an AMD duel core - is this a good idea for my system ?

Group CPU scheduler  - presently disabled  -  I have noticed this option is enabled on most distros - Fedora/ Ubuntu
Control Group support  - presently disabled - Is this option just a  security feature ?

Thank for all the advice  - the pappy kernel is really good for people building a kernel completely from scratch  ..

Cheers!

Last edited by yossarianuk (2009-07-05 10:52:13)

broch

Banned

From: L.A. California

Registered: 2006-11-13

Posts: 975

Re: Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

1) you don't have enough hardware for NUMA
2) Group CPU scheduler 
Control Group support
unless this is shared machine (server) no need to enable this,
3) SMT (Hyperthreading) scheduler support   disable
4) Sparse Memory virtual memmap  - presently enabled - possibly good choice (64-bit systems), never heard about real advantage
5) MTRR (Memory Type Range Register) - if you want your video to work in most cases you will need this (unles not supported)
- extras (difficult so say if beneficial or not, a lot of hardware simply do not understand this, also devs have some issues):
MTRR cleanup support
MTRR cleanup enable value (0-1)
MTRR cleanup spare reg num (0-7)
6) x86 PAT support   -i presesntly enable this although use nopat at boot - is buggy and disabling does not work anyway
7) pappy's kernels would suggest that he is learning, a lot of stuff is wrong

Last edited by broch (2009-07-07 13:55:43)

yossarianuk

Member

Registered: 2007-05-02

Posts: 103

Re: Custom kenel - desktop config suggestions.

Thank you very much broch

You've answered the exact things I was unsure of.

Cheers!