[ubuntu] How much RAM is ideal for Ubuntu?

[tech189]

Hi guys

I was just wondering how much RAM is ideal for Ubuntu to run smoothly.
I'm wondering because I installed it on an old Windows XP which has exactly a grand total of 1001 MB of RAM! (it's 6 years old)

tech189

[3mutts]

I wouldn't run Ubuntu with that hardware (this must have been a pretty cheap PC for the time), I would run either Xubuntu or Lubuntu if you don't want to add more RAM. If you do add more RAM I would say at least 3GB.

[monkeybrain2012]

3 G is plenty, I would say 2 G is fine. I think all the talks about how Unity is resource hungry is just overblown but in your case it is probably too little.

[deadflowr]

A gig of ram is sufficient depending on how many programs you plan on running at one time.
Two gigs or more would provide a larger leeway, but one is most likely enough.

[monkeybrain2012]

A gig of ram is sufficient depending on how many programs you plan on running at one time.
Two gigs or more would provide a larger leeway, but one is most likely enough.

It is true that one G will run Unity (provided the graphic card is right), but I suspect it is going to be slow. If I have only 1 G I will definitely use Lubuntu instead.

[3rdalbum]

One gigabyte is perfectly okay.

[Sam Mills]

One gigabyte is perfectly okay.

But we don't know what the OP does on his computer. Does he have 30 tabs open on firefox? While having 4 other apps going? IMHO, 2gb is a reasonable safe amount you should have. RAM is very cheap now, and unless you are very strapped for cash, it something that's attainable. 2gb gives you a comfortable cushion.

If adding ram is not an option, I agree with others that you should consider Lubuntu. Very light on resources, and obviously fast. I guess it depends on how much you do at any given moment.

[tech189]

Thanks for all your answers! I've only put Ubuntu on it for fun so my budget is basically £0. Anyway it does run quite slow after opening more than one program. So I'll have a go at putting Lubuntu on it.

tech189

[deadflowr]

Thanks for all your answers! I've only put Ubuntu on it for fun so my budget is basically £0. Anyway it does run quite slow after opening more than one program. So I'll have a go at putting Lubuntu on it.

tech189

You don't have to reinstall lubuntu.
You can install it on your existing system

sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop

or if feeling that the extra stuff isn't necessary

sudo apt-get --no-install-recommends lubuntu-desktop

Not sure which buntu version you have, but here's the list of lubuntu-desktop packages for precise.

when it's installed, to enter it, at login, in the login screen where you put your name, in the box is a small ubuntu icon, click on it and a dropdown will list the desktops on your system, choose lubuntu click and login.

[mastablasta]

RAM is very cheap now, and unless you are very strapped for cash, it something that's attainable.

odl maschine - and DDR, DDR2 are not really that cheap. in fact here they costs twice as much as DDR3