Tweaking FreeBSD for Desktop Use - kern.sched.preempt_thresh

[wolffnx]

When looking at how to tweak FreeBSD for desktop use, the most common tweak is this:

sysctl kern.sched.preempt_thresh=224
Default: 80

This, supposedly, does something with X Windows, allowing it to run more smoothly when CPU use is very high... or something like that...

My question is: What does it mean, and what does it do?

Also, I can't set it in /boot/loader.conf... how do I set it?

Also, any things you'd recommend doing, before a custom kernel, to optimize FreeBSD for desktop use? Anything you did you want to share?

I know of tuning(7), but it's not exactly a stimulating read... : <

rtprio is your friend when you are compiling ports and doing others task

from the man page:

To make depend while not disturbing other machine usage:
idprio 31 make depend

rtprio()

 

[poorandunlucky]

When I go to 'rebuild' any of my machines, I tell my family I am doing maintence. I edit /etc/rc.conf and comment out all the stuff that starts up including desktop. Reboot. Now I got a machine with not much running, just the OS and terminal sessions. I run ports-mgmt/synth, the compiling eats ram like crazy, still get some swapping, but the machine plows through it like a heavy-duty purring diesel engine. After I am done with the rebuilt I uncomment the stuff in edit /etc/rc.conf and reboot. Always ask yourself and think through: "What's the problem you are trying to fix?".

Just a thought.

I fixed those things, they were unrelated to this...

Who is the guy in your profile pic?

Who? Me? ... me? ... Who else could it be?

... D ;

I' changed

kern.sched.slice to 3
and kern.sched.interact to 5

and a notice a little speedup when starting applications

Thanks, I'll try that...