I'm currently using Arch on my laptop because I appreciate the customizability, but I recently learned about Gentoo. I've heard claims that it's the "fastest" and "most optimized" distro out there, mainly because it allows users to compile everything from source. This means you can get rid of unwanted dependencies, but I'm confused about how that works. For instance, if I try to remove certain dependencies for a package like `mpv`, it could potentially break the application. I also don't understand how compiling software from source translates to better performance. What really sets pre-compiled binaries apart from my own compiled versions? I get the hype surrounding Gentoo's customization options, but I'm struggling to see how it's truly optimized when it can take such a long time to compile everything, sometimes making my machine unusable for hours. Can anyone clarify how Gentoo can really be faster and more optimized?
5 Answers
The compilation process takes time, and yeah, it can make your machine feel sluggish while you’re waiting for things to finish. But for power users who want the absolute best performance, taking that time can be worth it in the long run. Between stripping unnecessary parts and taking advantage of advanced optimizations during the compilation process, Gentoo can be tailored to be faster than most binary distributions. Just be prepared for the longer setup times!
You can definitely run into issues when trying to remove certain dependencies, and that’s why Gentoo uses USE flags to help manage what options you want for your packages. It acts as a kind of customization layer so you can define exactly what you need (or don’t need) without breaking the entire setup. Plus, each pre-compiled binary often targets broader compatibility, meaning it can't use newer instructions specific to your CPU, which might limit performance.
Compiling software from source allows you to tailor the application specifically for your CPU's architecture. Each CPU has different instruction sets and optimizations, and by compiling for your exact hardware, you can leverage those features. This means your applications can potentially run faster because they are optimized for your specific machine, using the most efficient instructions for that processor. That said, for most normal use cases, the difference may not be noticeable unless you're running very demanding applications.
Gentoo CAN be faster because it compiles the software specifically for your hardware specs, which is a big advantage. If you're just going through the motions and not really optimizing your build options, though, you might not notice much of a difference compared to pre-compiled distros. Experienced users can definitely squeeze more out of it, but it can seem daunting at first.
Gentoo gives you control over how it's set up, letting you strip out any excess features and dependencies you don’t need. While that can save some space and make your system leaner, the performance gains really depend on how well you know what you're doing. If you're a beginner, maybe stick with what works for you right now, like Arch, since it’s easier to manage without deep optimizations. But yes, if you put in the effort, Gentoo can indeed be the most optimized for your specific setup.
Yeah, it really is about the user’s effort. If you're willing to dig in and optimize everything, Gentoo can be a dream. But it’s definitely not for everyone.
True, but that time spent compiling can add up if you're constantly updating everything. It’s a trade-off.