I'm currently using KDE Plasma on my machine and have no major complaints, but I've heard that there are desktop environments (DEs) out there that use fewer resources. I'm curious about how much performance improvement I could expect if I switched to something like LXQt. Additionally, what features would I potentially lose by making this switch? I'm on CachyOS, which defaults to Wayland. I've read mixed opinions about how well Plasma performs on Wayland compared to LXQt on X11. Would any performance gains from switching DEs be offset by the Wayland/X11 performance differences? Furthermore, I've also heard that using a window manager instead of a full DE could cut down on resource usage. What kind of resource savings should I realistically expect from that change?
5 Answers
In my case, switching to a lighter DE like LXQt didn’t make a noticeable difference. If you’re running low on RAM when using Plasma, you might see a larger performance boost, but it really varies by hardware. I'd suggest trying it out to see how it works for you.
I really enjoy LXQt for a minimalist setup but wouldn’t recommend it for beginners unless you're up for some tinkering. Unless your system is struggling with KDE, the performance gain will be minimal. If your hardware is close to the lower limits, LXQt or even XFCE could offer a smoother experience. XFCE is easier out of the box, while LXQt gives you more customization but requires a bit more work to set up. Since CachyOS is aimed at performance, you're not going to see drastic improvements just by switching DEs. Also, if you're into gaming, Wayland is generally a better choice than X11, as it's designed to handle graphics more efficiently, although it’s not a complete replacement for X11 yet.
If your hardware is decent, you probably won’t notice much of a difference at all. It's important to think about what you consider 'resource intensive,' since using RAM effectively is key. If KDE Plasma isn’t causing you any performance issues, there’s really no strong reason to switch.
If you’re not experiencing any performance issues with KDE Plasma, I’d say don’t change what works! Performance benefits often come down to personal preference or if you're facing any stability issues more than actual resource savings. Switching DEs might not give you the performance boost you’re looking for, so weigh your options carefully.
Window managers are definitely lightweight and can boost productivity with their customizability. They do lack some features like a taskbar or desktop icons, but you can add those with other tools. For example, I love using Pekwm, and it’s super efficient on X. Just bear in mind that some window managers, like Hyprland, have a lot of visual effects that could use more resources, since they run on Wayland.
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