I've been using KDE on my laptop with 8GB of RAM, but I've noticed it slowing down during intensive tasks. After watching a comparison video, I realized that RAM usage differs among desktop environments (DEs). I considered switching to XFCE for better performance, but I find it too basic. Since I can install multiple DEs, would it be a good idea to keep using KDE and just switch to XFCE for more demanding work sessions? Or would that be considered bad practice?
5 Answers
If you find KDE too heavy, you might want to try alternatives like Cinnamon or MATE instead of XFCE since they're a bit more user-friendly while still being lighter than KDE. There's also newer options like Cosmic or Hyprland that you could explore.
In my experience, the difference in RAM usage between DEs like KDE and XFCE is only about 100-300MB under normal use. If something's using up 7GB of RAM, simply switching your DE isn't going to solve the problem. You might want to look into your system's swap settings instead, as that can help manage performance better.
Switching to XFCE might not make a huge difference in performance. I use both GNOME and Hyprland on my laptop, and they run faster than Windows 11. If you're focusing on RAM usage, KDE is actually pretty efficient as well, so switching might not provide a significant boost.
Totally agree! KDE can be surprisingly light if you manage it right.
KDE is pretty lean and runs well even on older machines. I have a 10-year-old ThinkPad with 8GB of RAM, and it performs great with KDE. Switching DEs isn't always necessary; just ensure your swap settings are optimized, like using a compressed RAM drive for swap.
Honestly, 8GB is more than enough for many distros. You could try a minimal install of Kubuntu 25.04 beta if you're comfortable with it, but just remember that it's not always the DE that slows you down; it can be the tasks you're running.
Kubuntu has mixed reviews, though, so maybe consider lighter distros or a minimal install as suggested.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check my swap settings. I've been experimenting with several DEs lately!