How can I improve performance and customize CachyOS on a Ryzen 5 laptop?

XFCE is a reasonable option if you want a traditional, low-overhead desktop. GNOME is another mature choice and some people find it smoother than KDE, even though it may not always use less memory. Lower RAM usage does not automatically mean better performance: modern desktops may use more memory while making better use of the GPU, whereas some lightweight environments rely more heavily on the CPU.

Since your Ryzen 5 3500U uses integrated graphics, make sure the system is using the correct Mesa graphics stack and that the firmware and kernel are current. However, switching desktops may only provide a small improvement unless KDE is actually causing a resource bottleneck.

You can install multiple desktop environments without wiping CachyOS. Install the one you want, log out, select the new session from the login screen, and keep KDE available until you know the new setup works. XFCE will generally be simpler and lighter, while KDE offers more built-in customization. GNOME has a more opinionated workflow but can be changed with extensions and themes.

Hyprland and Niri are window managers rather than full desktop environments. They manage how application windows are placed and switched, while a desktop shell supplies things such as panels, wallpapers, widgets, notifications, and launchers. That means you usually combine them with additional components, which can look excellent but requires more setup than KDE or XFCE.

For an attractive but relatively lightweight setup, a tiling window manager such as Niri can be paired with a shell such as Noctalia. Niri uses a scrolling window layout that works especially well on a laptop, while the shell handles the bar, wallpaper, widgets, and other desktop features. It can use fewer resources than a heavily customized desktop, but it is not necessarily easier for a beginner.

I’d start by customizing KDE first: try different global themes, icons, cursors, wallpapers, panels, widgets, and window effects. Once you understand how the desktop is assembled, experimenting with Niri or Hyprland will be much less confusing.

Your laptop is already capable enough that the difference between Windows and CachyOS may not be dramatic during normal browsing. The distribution itself usually matters less than the desktop environment, drivers, graphics settings, and the applications being tested. It’s worth using actual benchmarks or checking CPU, GPU, RAM, and temperature usage instead of relying only on how it feels.

KDE Plasma can be customized extensively through its system settings, themes, widgets, panels, icons, and window effects. You can also install another desktop environment or window manager alongside KDE without reinstalling the operating system. Just be aware that multiple environments can add duplicate applications and settings, so it’s best to test one at a time and keep a fallback session available.