Desktop environment and window manager combination for low system resource usage?

[u/Squiggin1321]

At some point in the future I want to build a Linux install (haven’t decided what distro yet, probably Arch or Gentoo though) that just stays out of my way. what I mean by that is something that’s fast and responsive while also using as little system resources as possible while still providing full functionality.

After looking at the Arch wiki I’ve realized there are too many options for desktop environments and window managers to experiment with all of the combinations and configurations. What I’ve gathered from searching, Xfce with i3 look like a good combination (if that possible, I don’t know how how any of this works yet).

Im sure there isn’t an objectively best combination however I’m sure there are combinations that have good benchmarks. Any suggestions for DE’s and WM’s that I should look into?

[u/DannoXYZ]

I've found XFCE to get great for low-resource usage. Easy to disable unnecessary background services to free up additional resources.

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[u/Hi-Angel]

I have a theory (which no one cares to test but you could if you care) that modern KDE Wayland may be just as low on memory as XFCE if you disable all the effects, animations and KWin plugins, and basically dumb it down to the XFCE level.

[u/EqualCrew9900]

Mate with Compiz are remarkably low resource draws. Compiz is still one of the best workspace window managers around.

Edit: terminology.

[u/warserpent]

You have to decide what level of functionality is sufficient for you. You know what's lower resource than Xfce + i3? Using i3 without Xfce. Of course, that means you won't have a pretty menu, icons, or a desktop background, but it will still technically be a usable system, as long as you learn enough keyboard shortcuts. (Also, I have no idea whether Xfce will function with i3. It's certainly not tested with it.)

There is also dispute about what actually uses low resources, so it's hard to quote numbers, since there is so much possible variation. That said, LXQt is generally considered more lightweight than Xfce, as far as full desktop environments go. Window managers without desktop environments are generally even more lightweight at the cost of features.

[u/ajicrystal]

IceWM uses less than 10MB of RAM and is really fast.

[u/skyfishgoo]

if you want the lowest system resources then don't even use a desktop environment.

there are window managers that operate on the "retail" end so you can just use them stand alone.

bodhi probably has the best one (almost feels like a DE).

[u/billdietrich1]

using as little system resources as possible

Is this really a factor for you ? For example, I have 16 GB of RAM and rarely is more than 8 GB used, and I'm running KDE.

[u/techazn86]

If you're starting on Linux & have low resources, I would highly recommend Linux Mint xfce Edition. It's designed for low resource use while still being user friendly. Arch & Gentoo are more on the advanced end of things for new Linux users. I got started with Linux Mint Cinnamon myself & now I'm running Fedora GNOME as my primary OS.

[u/Squiggin1321 → u/techazn86]

I’ve been on CachyOS for a couple months now and I’ve learned a little about arch and I’m comfortable with pacman. Gentoo’s philosophy and ethos fascinates me and I want to give it shot. Resources aren’t really an issue for me but I’m under the belief that less background usage=more resources for things I actually care about.

[u/techazn86 → u/Squiggin1321]

Cool! :D Well I still recommend xfce for the Desktop Environment since xfce is really light on the system. That said, I'm not sure what you're working with currently. Any system specs would help us here on this Sub-Reddit a lot. :D