DE for old pc

[davedarkblade]

Hi folks! I've an old pc, pentium 3 with 512 mb ram, currently with mint 9 lxde (the rc version). I need the most lightest DE so I ask to me what is the best for my needs among lxde, xfce or fluxbox. Thanks!

[rich_roast]

It's a close contest, LXDE might just scoop it but they are all very lightweight DEs.

If it's that much of an issue, there is no need to use a DE at all. I know I see an improvement in performance when I run Openbox sessions without LXDE. The Linux Critic's instructions should be portable to Linux Mint, especially if you're running LXDE CE.

[davedarkblade]

Thanks for the reply! So you suggest lxde. Mint xfce is like xubuntu in terms of lightweight?

[Kendall]

Fluxbox is just a bit easier on resources than LXDE, but Openbox by itself is lighter and faster than Fluxbox.

[markfiend]

IMO with 512MB you don't really need to worry about a lightweight distro davedarkblade; I have the main Gnome edition of Mint running fine on an eeePC that has 512MB.

[rich_roast]

It all depends on the volume of the software that's going to be used on top of the DE or WM.

I use OpenBox on a system with a touch more RAM because I appreciate the speed, the efficiency of the desktop and that it provides more resources for doing the things I want to do. Sure makes having Amaya, GIMP, Blender and a couple of browsers on the go all at once with the usual background tasks.

But I totally agree that for any user who isn't going to be so hardcore on running applications simultaneously, and likes the little luxuries that a proper DE affords, 512Meg is just fine.

[davedarkblade]

IMO with 512MB you don't really need to worry about a lightweight distro davedarkblade; I have the main Gnome edition of Mint running fine on an eeePC that has 512MB.

I used the main version until the release of Isadora. Isadora gave me a problem: gnome didn't appear. Ubuntu give this problem too so I think it's a video card problem (my gpu is an intel integrated video card with 32 mb). So I switched to lxde because the other CE have not been released. Then I love to see my desktop reactive xD

[mastablasta]

IMO with 512MB you don't really need to worry about a lightweight distro davedarkblade; I have the main Gnome edition of Mint running fine on an eeePC that has 512MB.

However all EEE PC have much stronger processor than P3 was.

[markfiend]

True.

[dudester2010]

You mention that the machine is a P3 with 512 MB RAM. By chance, is this a laptop? I ask because some older P3 laptops have a problem with video configuration, nothing that can't be worked around.

[shengchieh]

lxde and xfce (plus bloated GNOME & KDE) are desktop environments. Fluxbox, Openbo, iceWM, & some others are window managers.
Here's one link - I couldn't find other quickly, but do a search for "difference between desktop environment andwindow manager".

http://penguinpetes.com/XWM_Guide/index.php

Sheng-Chieh

[axel668]

Think LXDE ist a good compromise between light and usable - if you want your DE to "just work", you should stay with LXDE. If you like to tinker with your system, give "plain" openbox a try, but as sheng has already pointed out ob is NOT a de, so be aware that you'll need to take care of things like a panel, a launcher / run dialog, logout dialog, a terminal, a text editor and everything else which comes included with LXDE or XFCE.

[mastablasta]

Try live CD. I think LXDE would work. Maybe even gnome.

I have Gnome on (underclocked) AMD 733 MHz with 1.256 GB RAM, 16 MB graphics card and works well (could be because of ram)

I tried LXDE (Lubuntu) on 256MB ram, 1.2Ghz AMD, 16 MB integrated graphics card - also works very well. XFCE also works good, however Gnome worked better. I am now waiting for final release of Mint 9 LXDE to test it and then decide whather to go Lubuntu or Mint on this one. Cause XP is waaaay too slow.

[axel668]

... now waiting for final release of Mint 9 LXDE to test it and then decide whather to go Lubuntu or Mint on this one. Cause XP is waaaay too slow.

using LXDE RC on a daily basis, no problems at all, think it's safe to try it