Feedback on New PC Specs

FredJones · 12-29-2016, 12:42 PM

I run ArchLinux and need a new PC. My friend has offered me this:

ASUS Z170-K motherboard with 3 video outputs (I need two)
Intel i3 6100 or i5 6400 (he said he is unsure if i5 is worth it and perhaps an i3 overclocked would be just as good for me for a bit less money)
8 G DDR 4
128G SDD for the system
1 TB 750 rpm for data

He likes to use this two disk idea just because SSD is so expensive.

The price in Israel, where we are, is 2950 NIS which is 766 USD. My budget is up to around 800 USD and I don't mind overclocking--never did it before but I can figure it out. I think these components are all that matter to me much. I will install Linux myself and a DVD drive is something I only use twice a year so that is not important and I will order whatever case he has.

I am a web host and also web developer and so I use this machine for only fairly simple things--browsing (12 tabs open in Firefox and 4 in Chrome), word processing, email, FTP, very simple image processing. But with my current machine with a i5 4 cores 650 @ 3.20GHz sometimes one core gets maxed out (100%) and then the machine crawls. He says if my CPU had hyperthreading, it would distribute that load to all 4 cores and it would work better.

I think that's it. Any feedback is appreciated.

Timothy Miller · 12-29-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredJones

I run ArchLinux and need a new PC. My friend has offered me this:

ASUS Z170-K motherboard with 3 video outputs (I need two)
Intel i3 6100 or i5 6400 (he said he is unsure if i5 is worth it and perhaps an i3 overclocked would be just as good for me for a bit less money)
8 G DDR 4
128G SDD for the system
1 TB 750 rpm for data

He likes to use this two disk idea just because SSD is so expensive.

The price in Israel, where we are, is 2950 NIS which is 766 USD. My budget is up to around 800 USD and I don't mind overclocking--never did it before but I can figure it out. I think these components are all that matter to me much. I will install Linux myself and a DVD drive is something I only use twice a year so that is not important and I will order whatever case he has.

I am a web host and also web developer and so I use this machine for only fairly simple things--browsing (12 tabs open in Firefox and 4 in Chrome), word processing, email, FTP, very simple image processing. But with my current machine with a i5 4 cores 650 @ 3.20GHz sometimes one core gets maxed out (100%) and then the machine crawls. He says if my CPU had hyperthreading, it would distribute that load to all 4 cores and it would work better.

I think that's it. Any feedback is appreciated.

I'd prefer the i5. 4 real cores IMO > dual cores + hyperthreading (when the cores themselves are identical).

Now to comment:
1. Your friend is full of it when it comes to the hyperthreading. Hyperthreading simply allows a single physical core to act like 2 virtual cores. Thus a dual core processor is able to do 4 simultaneous threads. A quad core processor is already able to do 4 simultaneous threads with 4 REAL CPU cores. Hyperthreading would make it capable of doing 8. There's a reason hyperthreaded dual cores are i3's and true quad cores are i5's, the true quad core at the same speed is more powerful. Not as much superior as compared to a NON-hyperthreaded dual core, but still superior.

2. Your CPU IS hyperthreaded. It's a first gen core-i5 dual core hyperthreaded.

Results:

Don't listen to your friend, he's at best mistaken, at worst giving you erroneous information.

How much ram do you have, what kernel version are you running, what kind/size of hard drive, and what desktop/WM do you run? While it's possible you have a dying cpu, that cpu should still be more than adequate for what you're doing, and anything even REMOTELY recent as far as the OS should be using smp far more effectively.

FredJones · 12-30-2016, 05:15 AM

Thank you so much for your response. My current machine with 4 G DDR3 and a Intel DH55PJ mobo runs (always) the very latest ArchLinux 64bit and I use OpenBox (b/c of the sluggishness). Firefox sometimes takes up 1.3G with maybe 10 tabs open and then the system crawls. I have asked here and other forums (years ago) and no one could figure out what's wrong with my machine. The disks are also really slow--deleting an email takes 2 seconds sometimes. I do have 8G email on disk. Perhaps the motherboard has a problem....

Anyhow, I am waiting a few years to get a new box as this one just doesn't work well--never did.

So you say get the i5 and the rest sounds good? Someone else suggested a mobo b150 or h110 would be more than enough for me.

BW-userx · 12-30-2016, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredJones

I run ArchLinux and need a new PC. My friend has offered me this:

ASUS Z170-K motherboard with 3 video outputs (I need two)
Intel i3 6100 or i5 6400 (he said he is unsure if i5 is worth it and perhaps an i3 overclocked would be just as good for me for a bit less money)
8 G DDR 4
128G SDD for the system
1 TB 750 rpm for data

He likes to use this two disk idea just because SSD is so expensive.

The price in Israel, where we are, is 2950 NIS which is 766 USD. My budget is up to around 800 USD and I don't mind overclocking--never did it before but I can figure it out. I think these components are all that matter to me much. I will install Linux myself and a DVD drive is something I only use twice a year so that is not important and I will order whatever case he has.

I am a web host and also web developer and so I use this machine for only fairly simple things--browsing (12 tabs open in Firefox and 4 in Chrome), word processing, email, FTP, very simple image processing. But with my current machine with a i5 4 cores 650 @ 3.20GHz sometimes one core gets maxed out (100%) and then the machine crawls. He says if my CPU had hyperthreading, it would distribute that load to all 4 cores and it would work better.

I think that's it. Any feedback is appreciated.

I don't know what you're running right now, or what gen i5 you're talking about. But I know I have this laptop it had an i5 2nd gen in it. I swapped it out for an i7 2gen and my performance improved a lot!

if you have good hardware and everything is working in what you have right now. I'd look into seeing what CPU you could plug into your MotherBoard you have right now. If all you're doing with it is simple stuff, not using it for a Server that is being used in a heavy load situation.

as far as using an i3, I wouldn't if you can afford to get an i5 or i7 even. GO to Intel's web site and look at all of the CPU specs that your motherboard can take right now, then look at what is available to you in a new generation CPU on a different Motherboard. If that is what you are talking about, which is upgrading to a higher generation CPU in this process.

as Far as sdd for Operating System and another HDD for Data, that is what I do on this laptop. 256GB sdd fills up fast and yes them sdd cost way too much still. I got a 750GB 7200rmp hdd for my home drive and for storage.

split system, / is sdd /home is hybird 750GB 7200 RPM hdd.

Desktop HDD's 1TB can get up to 7200 RPM's the faster is better but it depends on who makes it scenario.

personally if I where you, no matter who is "getting" this system for you. Educate yourself in the generlizined area of hardware CPU's - HDD , SDD - throughput - bottle necking - where are the bottle necking area's of your entire system?

Can you change it so it will not bottle neck as much or at all?

if you have a fast BUS but a slow HDD then what?

hyperthreading

if the software is not written to take advangte of it then it will not. that too you have to take into concideration as well on hyperthreading.

Timothy Miller · 12-30-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredJones

Thank you so much for your response. My current machine with 4 G DDR3 and a Intel DH55PJ mobo runs (always) the very latest ArchLinux 64bit and I use OpenBox (b/c of the sluggishness). Firefox sometimes takes up 1.3G with maybe 10 tabs open and then the system crawls. I have asked here and other forums (years ago) and no one could figure out what's wrong with my machine. The disks are also really slow--deleting an email takes 2 seconds sometimes. I do have 8G email on disk. Perhaps the motherboard has a problem....

Anyhow, I am waiting a few years to get a new box as this one just doesn't work well--never did.

So you say get the i5 and the rest sounds good? Someone else suggested a mobo b150 or h110 would be more than enough for me.

They would be more than enough if you have no intention of overclocking or need all the extra bells and whistles, but that's totally up to you.

FredJones · 12-31-2016, 12:55 PM

My current machine with i5 4 cores 650 @ 3.20GHz, 4 G DDR3 and a Intel DH55PJ mobo runs (always) the very latest ArchLinux 64bit and I use OpenBox (b/c of the sluggishness). The main problem is that the RAM gets used up (even though I have swap) the machine crawls. The second problem is sometimes one core gets 100% and then it also crawls. Visiting a very "busy" webpage with a lot of JavaScript can cause this. That's abnormal.

OK, the advice above is very good.

Thank you!

rokytnji · 12-31-2016, 01:09 PM

weird?

Quote:

runs (always) the very latest ArchLinux 64bit and I use OpenBox (b/c of the sluggishness). The main problem is that the RAM gets used up (even though I have swap) the machine crawls.

Quote:

$ inxi -Fxz
System: Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.9.3)
Desktop: IceWM 1.3.8 Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine: Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 108.9% condition: 40.4/44.0 Wh (92%)
model: Samsung SDI DELL RM6618A status: Full
CPU: Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9576
clock speeds: max: 2400 MHz 1: 1199 MHz 2: 1599 MHz 3: 1599 MHz 4: 1333 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0
Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2
GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio: Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae
Network: Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection
driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 6040 bus-ID: 00:19.0
IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 02:00.0
IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives: HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (44.1% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: KINGSTON_SV300S3 size: 60.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 7.6G used: 4.0G (56%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda2
ID-2: /home size: 48G used: 21G (47%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 54.0C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 187 Uptime: 2:59 Memory: 404.5/8021.7MB
Init: SysVinit runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 4.9.2 Client: Shell (bash 4.3.301) inxi: 2.3.5

Sluggishness is one adjective I would not apply to my hardware or linux install.
I don't run Openbox but I do boot into fluxbox or switch to it on the fly from time to time.

Code:

$ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.9.3)
           Desktop: Fluxbox 1.3.5 Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 108.9% condition: 40.4/44.0 Wh (92%)
           model: Samsung SDI DELL RM6618A status: Full
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9576
           clock speeds: max: 2400 MHz 1: 1199 MHz 2: 1599 MHz 3: 1333 MHz 4: 1599 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 6040 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (44.1% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: KINGSTON_SV300S3 size: 60.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 7.6G used: 4.0G (56%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /home size: 48G used: 21G (47%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 56.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 183 Uptime: 3:04 Memory: 403.1/8021.7MB
           Init: SysVinit runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 4.9.2 Client: Shell (bash 4.3.301) inxi: 2.3.5

Like switching on the fly in the middle of this post. Like I said. Weird.

FredJones · 12-31-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

Sluggishness is one adjective I would not apply to my hardware or linux install.

Yeah, so you agree something is wrong here. Maybe it's my mobo. I also don't understand why this machine doesn't work better.

I turned on my machine 2.5 hours ago and have opened TimeTracker, Thunderbird, CherryTree, Chrome, Firefox, jEdit, one LibreOffice doc and a terminal. Look at this:

Code:

$ inxi -Fxz
Resuming in non X mode: glxinfo not found. For package install advice run: inxi --recommends
System:    Host: arch Kernel: 4.8.13-1-ARCH x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 6.2.1) Desktop: Openbox 3.6.1 Distro: Arch Linux
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: Intel model: DH55PJ v: AAE93812-302
           BIOS: Intel v: TCIBX10H.86A.0037.2010.0614.1712 date: 06/14/2010
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 650 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 12772
           clock speeds: max: 3193 MHz 1: 2261 MHz 2: 3193 MHz 3: 1197 MHz 4: 1197 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA G98 [GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 2] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: N/A driver: nvidia Resolution: 132x42
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.13-1-ARCH
Network:   Card: Intel 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: f020 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1500.3GB (25.9% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HD502HJ size: 500.1GB
           ID-2: /dev/sdb model: Hitachi_HDS72101 size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 19G used: 16G (89%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /boot size: 266M used: 42M (17%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-3: /home size: 349G used: 310G (94%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda4
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 53.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:69C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 189 Uptime: 2:22 Memory: 3156.7/3818.4MB Init: systemd Gcc sys: 6.2.1
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.51) inxi: 2.3.5

3G used up.

Timothy Miller · 12-31-2016, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredJones

Yeah, so you agree something is wrong here. Maybe it's my mobo. I also don't understand why this machine doesn't work better.

I turned on my machine 2.5 hours ago and have opened TimeTracker, Thunderbird, CherryTree, Chrome, Firefox, jEdit, one LibreOffice doc and a terminal. Look at this:

Code:

$ inxi -Fxz
Resuming in non X mode: glxinfo not found. For package install advice run: inxi --recommends
System:    Host: arch Kernel: 4.8.13-1-ARCH x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 6.2.1) Desktop: Openbox 3.6.1 Distro: Arch Linux
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: Intel model: DH55PJ v: AAE93812-302
           BIOS: Intel v: TCIBX10H.86A.0037.2010.0614.1712 date: 06/14/2010
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 650 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 12772
           clock speeds: max: 3193 MHz 1: 2261 MHz 2: 3193 MHz 3: 1197 MHz 4: 1197 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA G98 [GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 2] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: N/A driver: nvidia Resolution: 132x42
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.13-1-ARCH
Network:   Card: Intel 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: f020 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1500.3GB (25.9% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HD502HJ size: 500.1GB
           ID-2: /dev/sdb model: Hitachi_HDS72101 size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 19G used: 16G (89%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /boot size: 266M used: 42M (17%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-3: /home size: 349G used: 310G (94%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda4
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 53.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:69C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 189 Uptime: 2:22 Memory: 3156.7/3818.4MB Init: systemd Gcc sys: 6.2.1
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.51) inxi: 2.3.5

3G used up.

Close those 2 and then run it again, I'd be willing to bet you'll be around 1 GB used.

FredJones · 01-01-2017, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy Miller

Close those 2 and then run it again, I'd be willing to bet you'll be around 1 GB used.

Yes, I also know that:

Code:

$ killall firefox chromium
$ inxi -Fxz
Resuming in non X mode: glxinfo not found. For package install advice run: inxi --recommends
System:    Host: arch Kernel: 4.8.13-1-ARCH x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 6.2.1) Desktop: Openbox 3.6.1 Distro: Arch Linux
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: Intel model: DH55PJ v: AAE93812-302
           BIOS: Intel v: TCIBX10H.86A.0037.2010.0614.1712 date: 06/14/2010
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 650 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 12772
           clock speeds: max: 3193 MHz 1: 3193 MHz 2: 1197 MHz 3: 3193 MHz 4: 1197 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA G98 [GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 2] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: N/A driver: nvidia Resolution: 132x42
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.13-1-ARCH
Network:   Card: Intel 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: f020 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1500.3GB (26.0% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HD502HJ size: 500.1GB
           ID-2: /dev/sdb model: Hitachi_HDS72101 size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 19G used: 16G (91%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /boot size: 266M used: 42M (17%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-3: /home size: 349G used: 310G (94%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda4
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 51.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:67C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 181 Uptime: 14:29 Memory: 1294.2/3818.4MB Init: systemd Gcc sys: 6.2.1
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.51) inxi: 2.3.5

Problem is that those are two of my main apps that I need open. I now reopen fresh both of them. Chromium has 4 tabs and Firefox has 9 but only has preloaded one of those and now I see:

Code:

Info:      Processes: 195 Uptime: 14:31 Memory: 2427.0/3818.4MB Init: systemd Gcc sys: 6.2.1
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.51) inxi: 2.3.5

Doesn't make sense to me....

Germany_chris · 01-01-2017, 06:46 AM

One of the browsers has a memory leak..

Don't buy a Z board if you don't plan to overclock unless it has a port you really need. Early on you could overclock Skylake i3's but that has gone away so if you're counting on that to make the i3 work, don't. I'd take the cost difference between the Z board and H board and use it towards RAM. Another thing to remember is if you use the 1TB drive as your home folder you going to loose some if not most of the benefits of the SSD so if you go dual drive don't use the spinner as /home.

rokytnji · 01-01-2017, 11:31 AM

Well. Yesterday when I posted. I was running Iceweasel/Firefox ESR with 3 tabs open and conky and a terminal.

So today.

I use Claws email instead of Thunderbird so I opened it.
I opened a Libre Office doc .
Iceweasel has 3 tabs open as I type out this reply.
Rox Terminal open for inxi -b report below.
I don't have Time Tracker, Cherry Tree, Or Google Chrome browser or Jedit.
So I'll open Geany, Seamonkey
, Spacefm and Mirage Image viewer instead.

Code:

$ inxi -b
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit) Desktop: Fluxbox 1.3.5
           Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 108.9% condition: 40.4/44.0 Wh (92%)
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) speed/max: 1333/2400 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (44.1% used)
Info:      Processes: 185 Uptime: 1:44 Memory: 612.0/8021.7MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5

Just to show I have yet to reach 1 gig of ram with all of that going on and that I am not saying the impossible <screenshot of htop>. Like I said. Weird?

I did not know Arch Linux Open Box 64 bit was so heavy on resources?
As you can see. I am running 32 bit on a 8 gig ram laptop.
Out of laziness, mostly. I have no need for 64 bit browsers.

Lets see what java/python heavy application I have and I'll open it.
Nope. I have none. So I'll open a movie with gnome-mplayer and see what happens.

Code:

$ inxi -b
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit) Desktop: Fluxbox 1.3.5
           Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 108.9% condition: 40.4/44.0 Wh (92%)
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) speed/max: 1599/2400 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (44.1% used)
Info:      Processes: 193 Uptime: 2:00 Memory: 654.5/8021.7MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5

Nope. I have not broken the 1 gig ram usage yet. Even with a movie playing.
With all the previous still open also.

FredJones · 01-02-2017, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germany_chris

One of the browsers has a memory leak..

I do see this report also https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=181394 that Firefox in Arch has a memory leak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germany_chris

Another thing to remember is if you use the 1TB drive as your home folder you going to loose some if not most of the benefits of the SSD so if you go dual drive don't use the spinner as /home.

My /home is giant (lots of photos) but I figured I would put my 8G of mail stores on the SSD in some special directory under / and that's one of the main things that I know causes me disk problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

I did not know Arch Linux Open Box 64 bit was so heavy on resources?

It's not, I don't think. I think it's Firefox, but also something to do with my hardware. I can't be certain however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

Nope. I have not broken the 1 gig ram usage yet. Even with a movie playing.
With all the previous still open also.

I'm too set in my ways now to try another distro--also I spent a lot of time once upon a time playing with various distros and I like Arch and it's generally very good, and light and fast.

Still not sure what's my problem but buying a new box I guess will eliminate that question. If it still doesn't work, maybe I will indeed consider another distro.

Could be that Arch Firefox is the problem and using Firefox on another distro would be better....

Timothy Miller · 01-02-2017, 09:44 AM

I really doubt it's Arch personally. My laptop with Arch has full KDE, and even with that I've never seen (quite) so high memory usage. My only difference is that I use Chromium instead of Firefox as my normal browser, using firefox only when I need java compatibility.

First thing I'd try if you haven't already is to check if there's any bios/firmware updates. Often minor issues such as memory incompatibility can be fixed through the firmware updates, so while not overly likely, it's a good place to start.

rokytnji · 01-02-2017, 09:45 AM

I am not suggesting you change distros. I am just showing the major differences from similar installs. With kinda similar hardware.

I figure it may help you find where the ram suckage culprit is. Since You should be under the 1 gig or even just a little over the 1 gig ram usage. Not 2 or 3 gig while running Open Box.