Best flavor of Linux to install on 2004 AMD Sempron computer?

Question

I really want to get this system up and running again, but don't want to spend 100 bucks on a copy of Windows. It would still be perfectly good for web browsing, office apps, some light games, or even used as a home theater. After building a Core i5 gaming/workstation PC, my old one had just been gathering dust in my basement...when it could be doing so much more. I wiped its 80-gig hard drive the other day and loaded Ubuntu 12.04 (64-bit) onto it, and I was amazed at the speed compared to Windows XP 32-bit. Only thing was, I've encountered a lot of issues regarding video drivers. I've tried every fix possible to correct this annoying screen tearing that happens in videos and programs, but none of them work. I also find Ubuntu to be a little too android-ish, and with all this Amazon spyware stuff circulating, I'm looking for another Linux solution. Does anyone know s fast, light, stable and trusted Linux for my PC? I'm thinking along the lines of Linux Mint or Debian. Maybe Fedora, but all these are rather heavy and I'd like something faster.

AMD system:
Sempron 2800+
3GB DDR2 RAM
GeForce GT 430 1GB
80GB Western Digital HDD

Answer 1

Xubuntu or Lubuntu might be some good choices; they are lighter in weight while still being able to use all programs in the Ubuntu repository if desired. Lubuntu is lighter than Xubuntu; Xubuntu is a bit more mature.



I've never had to deal with screen tearing, so I'm not aware of any common solutions. You could check the Nvidia xorg configuration tool for some options. The "Sync to VBlank" option under OpenGL settings seems like the most likely candidate.

Answer 2

Look at puppy linux

Answer 3

you should try lxle:

http://lxle.net/index.php?id=about



it uses the lxde desktop environment which makes it lighter.



if you still have problems, you could try linux mint and install lxde or xfce in that.