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What resources (CPU, storage, RAM) would improve Thunderbird's performance the most from an upgrade ?

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  • Amsa ta ƙarshe daga Wayne Mery

Fabián Rodríguez
Fabián Rodríguez
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I am upgrading a desktop PC and have the opportunity to customize its components specifically aiming at improving and increasing Thunderbird's performance.

In addition to any software tweaking, what resources or combination of resources would contribute the most to increasing Thunderbird's performance ? Can I use RAM to cache some or all storage activity ?

The current profile and mailbox (IMAP) are >60GB.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am upgrading a desktop PC and have the opportunity to customize its components specifically aiming at improving and increasing Thunderbird's performance. In addition to any software tweaking, what resources or combination of resources would contribute the most to increasing Thunderbird's performance ? Can I use RAM to cache some or all storage activity ? The current profile and mailbox (IMAP) are >60GB. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

All Replies (3)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I think having more than 8 GB of RAM will have little effect, especially on Linux, but also on Windows, except for a laptop on battery power. Switching from an HDD to SSD will probably have a significant effect, if not already in place. Making sure there are no security apps like AV or VPN acting on the profile will improve performance. A multi-GB Inbox might affect performance, so I would move as much as possible to other IMAP folders or Local Folders.

Fabián Rodríguez
Fabián Rodríguez Mai mallakar tambaya
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Clarifying, currently considering :

  • PCIe 5 x4 NVMe storage (using PCIe 3x4 at the moment)
  • 32 GB of ram and possible Ramdisk operation (8GB currently used)
  • Reducing Thunderbird profile to <10GB
  • Windows 11 instead of Windows 10 (the new PC will have this)

I am starting to analyze performance but it seems clear there is an I/O bottleneck as TB downloads or reindexes emails frequently reaching a point where it becomes unresponsive. Some folders have 25K+messages. I'll have to take a closer look at offline storage vs. subscribed folders vs. download/new email checks to see what else can help.

Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
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  • Moderator
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RAM cache should not be necessary, and might be expensive.

The best you can do with your profile is not have large folders for inbox, sent, trash and junk.

The best you can do OS and hardware wise on Windows, is

  • at least 32GB memory
  • local SSD disk
  • exceptions in Antivirus software for Thunderibrd program application and data directories.