Swap Partition versus Swap File in Kubuntu 18.04

[Kevin2000]

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of doing a clean install of Kubuntu 18.04 on a Dell laptop with 4GB of ram. Previous older Linux installs on this laptop without a swap partition would see the OS run out of ram (especially while streaming video from the Internet) and hang, forcing a hard reset. From what I understand Ubuntu 18.04 automatically creates a swap file instead of a swap partition. I also noted that during the Kubuntu 18.04 install there is no "guided" method of creating a swap partition during setup.

I wanted to confirm with you folks:

1 - That Ubuntu 18.04 and it's derivatives, specifically Kubuntu 18.04, automatically creates a swap file during install, and,
2 - If I should bother creating a swap partition during the install, or if the swap file replaces the need for a swap partition completely

Thank you all in advance
Kevin

[oshunluvr]

Current belief is one or the other doesn't make much difference. If you're using BTRFS you need a swap partition. If you're booting more than one Linux OS regularly you should have a swap partition. Otherwise, not much difference.

[oshunluvr]

Specifically to your questions:

Yes a swap is created at install. Create a swap partition if it makes sense.

[claydoh]

Also look at ksysguard after you notice swap usage. in some systems, it will hit swap too early, even if you have gobs of ram.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sw...I_change_it.3F

This is a useful tweak if you see swap being used too early.