Ubuntu Unity Proves Very Slow To KDE, GNOME, Xfce, LXDE
Now running some of the same test profiles again but at lower resolutions.
These lower-resolution full-screen tests just largely confirm the earlier data with KDE 4.9 being the fastest Linux desktop when having KWin automatically suspend its effects on full-screen windows. The good news for KDE users is that KWin is about to get even faster! Xfce and LXDE overall are very strong competitors without having some heavy compositing window manager interfere with the OpenGL gaming performance. GNOME Shell 3.5.4 with its Mutter compositing window manager also did rather well overall and was sitting in the middle performance-wise. Unity 6.4 with Compiz meanwhile was the slowest in the majority of the benchmark results.
Next up are benchmarks showing the 2D performance on the Ubuntu desktop.
If you enjoyed this article consider joining Phoronix Premium to view this site ad-free, multi-page articles on a single page, and other benefits. PayPal or Stripe tips are also graciously accepted. Thanks for your support.