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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Overheating laptop, should I try a lighweight distro - which one? (self.linux)

submitted 1 year ago by LunchEnjoyer to c/[email protected]

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Hello Penguins,

I'm looking for distro advice. For the last 4-5years I have rocked this laptop, MSI PS63 Modern RC. I have tried Debian, Garuda, Ubuntu, and now currently rocking Tumbleweed. Although I am statisfied with the current choice of distro, my laptop still overheats like crazy whenever its preasured even slightly, for example: doing updates, being on zoom for uni, or ofc low-end gaming.

I realise the laptop is old, but i really want it to last half a year longer before i start working for a company, which then will replace my need for having a personal laptop.

So, should I try a more lightweight distro or do you think the problem lies elsewhere? I've had the same issue across all other distros i've tried. I've looked at trying Alpine and MicroOS from openSUSE.

Appriciate any pointers!

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[–] s38b35M5 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How do you mean that its overheating? My GF says the same about her laptop, but its just cooling itself off. Does yours freeze or start slowing down a lot? Are you monitoring temps and see that they're beyond your CPU acceptable range (usually 90C, IIRC)?

[–] LunchEnjoyer 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Yeah, the system totally slows down quite a bit, everything from the browser to my IDE uses quite a bit of time to load.

[–] s38b35M5 4 points 1 year ago

If you are seeing temps out of spec for your CPU, its not unheard of for thermal paste to dry or even shift if the laptop has been through some chassis strain. Could be worth a careful examination.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Can you hear your laptop's fan speed up when it's overheating? Linux on my old laptop couldn't control the fan speed so it was always overheating. When I figured out how to manually set it to maximum, it overheated much less.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

This could also be done to the RAM filling up and/or high I/O activity of the disk. I suggest to investigate these possibilies as well