Zorin OS Core lagging so much

I decided to test Zorin OS on a Lenovo Ideapad 3 with a Ryzen 7 processor and 8GB of RAM. I didn't anticipate any issues, but apparently, there were some. I experienced several problems with freezing while using Google Chrome, and after switching to Microsoft Edge, the problems were partially resolved. However, one thing stood out: I don't know if I did something wrong, but my Zorin OS had no swap memory activated, not even 1GB. After I enabled it and set it to 3GB, the freezing issues stopped, and the fluidity improved by 1000%.

Wouldn't it be smart to have an intelligent swap memory system active by default?

Hi and welcome. If you opted for automatic install, like most modern distros, what happens is a swap file gets installed near the start of the system. Me, I prefer manual partitioning. First 512 Mb formatted to FAT32 and marked /boot/efi. Next 80 Gb Primary partition formatted to Ext4 and marked /. Next I create an extended partition and first I create a swap area at the END of the extended partition and make it double whatever physical RAM is present so in your case I would make this 8 Gb. Everything at the beginning of the extended partition I format to Ext4 and mark as /home.

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I like the idea of 1000% better, and that means your computer is now 1000% cooler. Great fix = Great job! :grin:

Hey SWARF! :grin:

Didn't you by chance, make a video tutorial on how to do that? If I'm wrong, then I know you have a written tutorial on it for sure with pictures I believe.


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I think in the unofficial manual. Will post back later with image from my PCLinuxOS Debian install.

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Here is the screenshot as promised:

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Welcome to the Forum!

When You install Zorin, there should be created a Swap File automatically. How did You installed Zorin? I mean which Installation Option did You choose?

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I understand your response, and I want to clarify that I'm not a beginner user myself. In fact, I managed to resolve the problem later. However, to ensure a good experience for new users of the system, it would be much smarter if an intelligent swap memory system was activated by default. What do you think?

I'm pretty sure I used the default automatic installation.

If I remember correctly, SWAP filing was automatic with HDD drives, at least, it always seemed to be there for me. But when the world switched to SSD drives, we were taught they have limited write cycles, and having a SWAP partition didn't make logical sense, especially if one has a lot of RAM.

This doesn't keep a person from manually creating such a partition of course. In 99% of user cases, having an automatic SWAP filing partition doesn't make a lot of sense for the installer to do, when again, most people have 16GB to 32GB of RAM now days.


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My unofficial manual covers manual partitioning as the best method, particularly when it comes to having a separate /home partition which means you can reinstall the OS without fear of losing the /home folder. My manual was written with HDD users in mind and it is what I still use. I did put an SSD in an old Dell notebook but had to relinquish both as eldest's HDD was dying, and the notebook went back to HDD for my eldest to use for their low vision needs. The only SSD I have now is in the PS4 Pro when the 2 Tb HDD was failing. Rescuezilla did a great job by allowing you to choose not to copy bad sectors.

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I don't think it's irrelevant that the operating system isn't smart enough to identify if the system has low RAM and intelligently manage swap memory on its own. I don't know which country you live in, but here in Brazil, 16GB of RAM is rare, 32GB of RAM is even rarer; people usually only use 8GB of RAM.

If a system wants to be popular and serve as an alternative for Windows users, it needs to consider all types of users to ensure a smooth and problem-free adoption.

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The Zorin OS installation default has always been to configure 2gigs of Swap during installation.
I do not know if this was changed in Zorin OS 17, along with many other rather drastic changes or not.

But I think it is a valid point. There may an answer to why yours did not: Are you using an SSD that may last better with limited read/write cycles?

Actually we've been discussing a smarter installer on the forum as of late. And I agree that a smarter installer would be a great idea. Apologies, I'm one hand typing cause my health just took a sudden tip. But I agree!


Did you try toggling hardware acceleration in the browser settings? I remember that I read somewhere of users having problems due to this mainly using browsers, and you mentioned 2 browsers :smirk:.