Improve performance in Ubuntu

[jimmygoon]

There's a noticable difference between linux-386 and linux-686 (especially if your processor supports SMP).

I don't know how big the difference wil be on your machine. This can't mess up your system. You should try it.

I've had linux-686 randomly mess up my friend's pc to the point where it wouldn't make it through the boot up procedure and we had to choose 386 in grub and then remove linux-686... oh well...

[dog]

Hi, a question.. I just upgraded to the AMD-optimized kernel with "sudo aptitude install linux-k7" but after rebooting, the Software Updates panel wants to install:
linux-image-2.6.15-26-386
linux-image-386
linux-restricted-modules-2.6.15-26-386
linux-restricted-modules-386

I'm guessing this shouldn't be as I have an AMD chip? Is this normal or is there any way to tell dapper to stop asking me to install these guys?

When you upgrade to a new kernel, you haven't deleted the old (386) versions - thet are still on your computer so updates will be broadcast for them. If you are happy with the k7 versions then:
sudo apt-get remove linux-386
should delete them

[klabelkholosh]

Hey thanks dog! that seems to have fixed it.

[VCSkier]

first of all, thanks for the great advice and links. i'm excited about getting all of these up and running. i've got a couple simple questions though, because i'm a slow learner...

first of all, what would be the proper/ideal way to use xfce. would it be beneficial simply to install the xfce package on my current ubuntu (gnome) setup, or to reap the benefits, would i need to start w/ a clean xubuntu setup/install?

secondly, i have no idea what video card drivers i am using, nor do i know how to check. my laptop houses a 2-3 year old ati radeon mobility (9000, i think). i have done nothing to install drivers of any sort beyond the default install process. how should i go about checking to see if i have the proper/latest drivers installed?

again, thanks!

[Cubiq]

sorry if I'm a little off-topic... I finally installed xgl+compiz and to my great surprise gnome is now faster. Is anyone else experiencing better performance after installing xgl+compiz?

[sumadartson]

sorry if I'm a little off-topic... I finally installed xgl+compiz and to my great surprise gnome is now faster. Is anyone else experiencing better performance after installing xgl+compiz?

Of course. You're no longer hogging the processor for your basic graphic needs, everything is done using your graphics card, which would otherwise just be bored out of its skull. The effect is especially noticeably if you turn off a lot of the effects from Compiz.

[Cubiq]

Of course. You're no longer hogging the processor for your basic graphic needs, everything is done using your graphics card, which would otherwise just be bored out of its skull. The effect is especially noticeably if you turn off a lot of the effects from Compiz.

Impressive, I thought that compiz would have killed my gnome, instead it seems that the GPU can easily handle the whole desktop on its shoulders I think that a note to xgl+compiz should be added in the first post as an optimization tip (if your gpu can handle it).

[DMAthlon]

WOW! i actually noticed a difference! thanks!!!

[Metacarpal]

Impressive, I thought that compiz would have killed my gnome, instead it seems that the GPU can easily handle the whole desktop on its shoulders I think that a note to xgl+compiz should be added in the first post as an optimization tip (if your gpu can handle it).

That raises a question I've had - what are the sys requirements for xgl/compiz?

[~LoKe]

Impressive, I thought that compiz would have killed my gnome, instead it seems that the GPU can easily handle the whole desktop on its shoulders I think that a note to xgl+compiz should be added in the first post as an optimization tip (if your gpu can handle it).

If I recall correctly, XGL was intended to boost performance. Compiz is just some nice eye candy that works off of it.