In Linux, we can check and monitor the memory usage, cpu usage in real time from the Terminal command or using graphical interface. Also we can see the up time, kill or end process of unwanted application from our running machine.
Linux is the most stable operating system, thus it been used as server OS long time ago until now. Beside as a server os, it is also used as desktop operating system for daily computing needs, such as for college, for office work, even for scientis. Today’s Linux is not command based again because the maturity of desktop environment that you can choose and use it as you like, for me I prefer xfce because it stability and eye catching enough.
Occasionally, we need to check the cpu usage and memory which is used by our system. This is needed when we feel our computer runs heavy and lag because of any application consume lots of RAM or CPU. To do this, we can use Terminal or using GUI to monitor them.
How to Monitor Memory and CPU Usage
Task Manager Console for Linux
HTOP is very well known task manager in Linux. This application runs using Terminal so that you have to open terminal and type htop then hit enter to see the cpu and RAM usage. If you have not installed it yet, you can install by executing these command below:
sudo apt install htop
Wait until installaton progress finished, after that type htop to see the running applications on your system. To close this application you need to hit Ctrl+C button, Hitting F10 button is needed when you work on a Linux server. Here is mine:
HTOP Review
By using application called HTOP you can control any running process and stop them when ever you want. Controlling the cpu usage will prevent your machine hang or freeze, because you don’t want any application using more cpu. Now let’s we see the interface: it has pretty and simple interface. For the first time I open the htop it provide an understandable value. You can also sort the usage by clicking the CPU or MEM (highlighted with green color), it is very good and simple apps.
Task Manager GUI for Linux
Desktop Environment (DE) will provide task manager by default. For example I am using xfce desktop, can access the task manager from Menu >> System >> Task Manager.
Task Manager Linux Review
Task manager for Ubuntu / Linux Mint / other distro is a feature which provide detailed programs and running processes on your system. It display numbers of resource usage to measure performance and process, also see which program that not responded.
Conclusion
There are several program to check the RAM or CPU in real time, but the most favorite and widely used is htop because it simplycity and stability.