Linux setup for streaming YouTube in 1280x720 resolution at 60 frames per second
Linux setup for streaming YouTube in 1280x720 resolution at 60 frames per second
I completed several tests today. The Target runs Linux MINT and Manjaro (all versions) on systems with 4GB RAM and 1 or 2 cores. The outcomes show that the top performers for playing 1280x720@60fps YouTube videos without frame loss are Linux MINT 18 on 64-bit with 2 cores, and Manjaro 17 with XFCE on 64-bit with 2 cores. All other distributions and single-core setups struggled, especially at higher resolutions like 1920x1080. I hope this helps those planning their future build. End of note—thanks for checking!
You haven't provided your hardware or drivers. I tested 1080p and 720p at 60fps on two Ubuntu systems with Unity. One used an A4 APU with only open-source drivers and 4GB RAM, losing frames at 1080p but not at 720p. The other ran on an FX-8120 with GTX1060, 16GB RAM, and proprietary drivers, showing no frame drops. All tests were in Firefox and YouTube. You didn’t mention the failed setups? Any distro will struggle on one core. Having two cores is usually enough for HD video. I’m not sure what you’re trying to show with this test. The choice of OS or window manager matters less than GPU drivers. I know this because heavier environments slow things down on modern hardware, only hurting older machines like a ten-year-old single-core laptop. Can you confirm if this contradicts your expectations? It seems the performance gap depends more on drivers than the OS itself.
these are reasonable inquiries. yes, all the main machines have stopped working (the single-core time has ended). every test was run inside Virtual Box environments with 4GB RAM and two cores at 4300MHz each. the setup remains consistent across all tests, and power supply is sufficient for an A10 processor with 4 cores at 4300MHz and 8GB RAM at 1866MHz. we’ve confirmed that all distributions perform well under these conditions. although different distros handle available resources nicely, we aimed to isolate those that excel with just 2 cores and 4GB of memory. this helps us identify which distros are truly capable and which struggle under this specific configuration. remember, the video used is a high-quality 60fps HD file (not standard 24 or 30fps), and the one we chose is excellent – thanks to @Zando and @Stevoisboss. i wrap up the tests, friends! 3 - Ubuntu 16.04 LTS - 64 bits with 2 cores failed; 4 - Ubuntu GNOME 16.04 LTS - 64 bits with 2 cores failed but still works smoothly at 30fps HD and SD. we noticed a significant difference between the two that passed the video test (like me). there’s a big variation here.**
I tried the latest Ubuntu today—version 5, specifically Ubuntu 17.04—on a 64-bit system with two cores. It didn’t work as expected, which was disappointing but accurate. Ubuntu 18.04 with its updated GNOME should resolve these issues, though it might still be better suited for Mint MATE at this time. For now, "Mint MATE" remains the top choice among Linux distributions.