Ubuntu

Excessive memory use in Ubuntu?

Asked by Rick Smith

I have several systems running Ubuntu 8.10 and Ubuntu Studio 8.10. The systems running Ubuntu consistently use about 120k more memory than the Ubuntu Studio ones. (Nothing running, just the default install.)

Ubuntu aprx: 290-310k
Ubuntu studio aprx: 175-185k

On a 512k system running Ubuntu, it is impossible to run Open Arena or Nexuiz without swapping; (causing very poor performance)!

Where's the memory going and how can I get it back?

Rick,

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Shane Fagan
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Best Shane Fagan (shanepatrickfagan) said : 		#1

Lots of reasons for this.
Certain programs that may be needed by the normal users arent included in ubuntu-studio. Tracker, deskbar-applet and a few others are examples of this. The window manager is stripped down, this is a major memory hog because compiz.
Its not really that important because ubuntu uses swap as an overflow if memory is needed.

Hope that helps

Revision history for this message
Rick Smith (rsmith13) said : 		#2

shane fagan wrote:
> Your question #67122 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67122
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> shane fagan proposed the following answer:
> Lots of reasons for this.
> Certain programs that may be needed by the normal users arent included in ubuntu-studio. Tracker, deskbar-applet and a few others are examples of this. The window manager is stripped down, this is a major memory hog because compiz.
> Its not really that important because ubuntu uses swap as an overflow if memory is needed.
>
> Hope that helps
>
>
 Thanks, I've been testing XUbuntu and it seems the way to go when you
only have 512k of ram and want to play first person shooters.

Rick,

Revision history for this message
Alberto Cruz (lacasadelpirata) said : 		#3

Just a clarification, I think you guys are mixing KB and MB.

Also, it may help if you turn off desktop effects before trying to play an FPS (not sure if you both tested this as there's no indication that you did or did not).

Alberto

Revision history for this message
Rick Smith (rsmith13) said : 		#4

Alberto Cruz wrote:
> Your question #67122 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67122
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Alberto Cruz proposed the following answer:
> Just a clarification, I think you guys are mixing KB and MB.
>
> Also, it may help if you turn off desktop effects before trying to play
> an FPS (not sure if you both tested this as there's no indication that
> you did or did not).
>
> Alberto
>
>
 The very first thing I did when I installed Ubuntu was to turn off the
desktop effects. (I don't like them.) Anyway, I have switched to Xubuntu
which uses aprx 75-100K less memory. I have experienced no lag with
Xubuntu.

Rick,

Revision history for this message
Jim J (morlockhq) said : 		#5

Rick,

Has your question been answered? If so, please consider marking it as Solved so that it no longer appears in the Open questions search.

Thanks.

Revision history for this message
Rick Smith (rsmith13) said : 		#6

Thanks shane fagan, that solved my question.