In the world of 3D design and modeling, Blender has solidified its position as one of the most versatile and powerful tools available. Its ability to perform complex and detailed renders has attracted both professionals and amateurs alike. However, Blender's performance can vary significantly depending on the operating system it runs on. Given that Blender is an application that heavily relies on system performance, the chosen operating system can impact both rendering speed and the overall stability of the software.

This article focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of Blender's performance across various popular operating systems. By conducting comparative tests, we aim to identify which of these operating systems offers the best balance between ease of use and performance for intensive rendering tasks. In an environment where hardware resources may be limited, it is crucial to find the operating system that maximizes efficiency and minimizes downtime.

To provide an objective evaluation, we have selected a range of operating systems that represent a wide variety of configurations and design philosophies. This includes Linux distributions known for their stability and flexibility, as well as options more oriented towards users and developers. The comparison of these operating systems is done using a standard Blender file, allowing for a consistent and replicable evaluation of performance.

Methodology

Test Environment Preparation To ensure a fair and accurate comparison between operating systems, a standardized testing methodology was employed. A computer with specific specifications was used for all tests:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3700U with Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx 2.30 GHz
• RAM: 8 GB
• SSD: 250 GB

Each operating system was installed cleanly on the same computer, followed by the application of all available updates. The system configuration was kept in its default state, without applying additional optimizations that could influence the software's performance.

Blender Installation and Configuration Blender was installed from the recommended source for each operating system. In Linux distributions, the software store or official repositories were used, while in Windows, the Microsoft Store was used. The following steps were then performed for each operating system:

• Operating System Installation: The operating system in question was installed cleanly, ensuring that all default configurations were used.
• System Update: All available updates were applied to ensure the operating system was up-to-date with the latest patches and security improvements.
• Blender Installation: The latest version of Blender was downloaded and installed from the appropriate source for each operating system.
• Initial Configuration: Blender was configured with the default options and it was verified that the working environment was ready for rendering tests.

Test Procedure For the evaluation of Blender's performance, a publicly available Blender file was used. The rendering process was carried out under controlled conditions to obtain consistent rendering times and compare the results between the different operating systems.

• Rendering Execution: Each operating system executed the same Blender file, using the software's default configurations to ensure a fair test.
• Time Recording: The total rendering time was recorded for each test, from the start to the end of the process. Any errors or failures during execution were also documented.
• Ease of Use Evaluation: The ease of use of each operating system was evaluated in terms of installation, configuration, and stability during the use of Blender.
• Problem Documentation: Problems encountered during the test were documented, including software failures, compatibility issues, and any other inconvenience that affected performance or user experience.

Results Analysis Once the tests were completed, the results were analyzed to identify the relative performance of each operating system. Rendering times were compared, and ease of use was evaluated based on the overall user experience and the problems encountered during the tests. This analysis provides a clear view of how each operating system handles Blender's demands and helps identify the best options for users with different needs and preferences.

1. Deepin OS

Deepin OS stands out for its sleek and user-friendly graphical interface. The installation was the fastest of all, completing in less than 10 minutes. Upon opening Blender and proceeding with the rendering, the system became sluggish, especially when moving the cursor, which is understandable given the intensive resource usage. The rendering was completed in 4 minutes and 37.10 seconds without any errors or crashes.

• Ease of Use: 10/10
• Rendering Time: 4 minutes and 37.10 seconds

2. Fedora with GNOME

Fedora, known for its stability and cutting-edge technology, encountered several issues. The installation took over 30 minutes, and after a mandatory restart, Blender (installed via Flatpak) crashed when initiating the render. I attempted using the RPM package, but the problem persisted. This is a recurring issue mentioned in Fedora forums.

• Ease of Use: 0/10
• Rendering Time: Could not be completed

3. Manjaro with KDE

Manjaro, based on Arch Linux, is renowned for its ease of use and access to up-to-date software. The installation was quick and straightforward, but Blender encountered similar problems to Fedora. I tried installing Blender from various sources (Flatpak, binary, and git), but in all cases, the application crashed when attempting to render.

• Ease of Use: 5/10
• Rendering Time: Could not be completed

4. Linux Mint with Cinnamon

Linux Mint is known for its focus on ease of use. The installation was quick, and the system updated without issues. However, Blender crashed repeatedly at the end of the rendering process, preventing a verifiable rendering time. According to preliminary data, the estimated time was 7 minutes, though this could not be confirmed due to the crashes.

• Ease of Use: 6/10
• Rendering Time: 7 minutes

5. Nobara

Although the installation was relatively quick, the update process and issues with KDE affected the overall experience. Blender ran without problems, but the rendering time was significantly high at 4 hours and 22 seconds. The ease of use rating was 4 due to problems with the graphical interface.

• Ease of Use: 4/10
• Rendering Time: 4 hours and 22 seconds

(for some reason the deepin forum dint let me upload the full screenshot)

7. Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most recognized Linux distributions. Although the installation was slow and presented some issues, Blender was installed from Snap. During rendering, the system became sluggish, and Blender crashed at the end, with an estimated time of 4 minutes and 10 seconds, though this could not be verified.

• Ease of Use: 8/10
• Rendering Time: 4 minutes and 10 seconds

8. Windows 11

Finally, I tested Windows 11, which, despite its improvements in design and functionality, presented challenges during installation due to the need for additional modules to run Blender. The system became sluggish during rendering but completed the task in 16 minutes and 22.08 seconds.

• Ease of Use: 6/10
• Rendering Time: 16 minutes and 22.08 seconds

Deepin OS stood out for its ease of use and acceptable rendering time, although the system became slow during the process. Pop!_OS offered solid performance and a very positive user experience. On the other hand, distributions like Fedora, Manjaro, and Linux Mint presented compatibility and stability issues with Blender, making it difficult to obtain consistent results.

Conclusions

The choice of the right operating system for working with Blender can have a significant impact on productivity and user experience. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, the results of this research suggest that:

• Deepin OS and Pop!_OS are excellent options for users seeking an easy-to-use operating system with good performance for Blender.
• Ubuntu and Windows 11 also offer good performance, although they encountered some stability and configuration issues.
• Fedora, Manjaro, and Linux Mint may require more advanced configuration and might not be the best choice for beginner users.

Factors to Consider:

• Hardware: The specifications of the device play a crucial role in Blender's performance.
• Blender Configuration: Blender’s settings can significantly affect rendering time.
• Package Managers: The way applications are installed can influence stability and performance.

In conclusion, choosing the right operating system for working with Blender is a personal decision that should be based on each user's individual needs and preferences. The results of this research can serve as a starting point for making an informed decision.

In particular, the excellent work done by the developers of Deepin OS deserves special mention. The distribution has managed to balance a modern and accessible interface with robust performance in intensive tasks such as rendering. The dedication and effort put into the development of Deepin 23 are evident, and the results speak for themselves.

Congratulations to the developers of Deepin 23 for their excellent work. Their commitment to quality and innovation is palpable and appreciated by the user community. Keep up the great work, as you are making a significant contribution to the free software ecosystem and the continuous improvement of the tools and experiences available to everyone.