[–] 5592210? 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Mint 18 is coming out: http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3035
512MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage).
9GB of disk space (20GB recommended).
Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution (1024×768 recommended).
DVD drive or USB port.
[–] 5592086? 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
KDE: System requirements: x86 processor (Linux Mint 64-bit requires a 64-bit processor. Linux Mint 32-bit works on both 32-bit and 64-bit processors). 2GB RAM 10 GB of disk space (20GB recommended). DVD drive or USB port
Cinnamon: System requirements: 512MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage). 9GB of disk space (20GB recommended). Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution (1024×768 recommended). DVD drive or USB port.
Mate: System requirements: 512MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage). 9GB of disk space (20GB recommended). Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution (1024×768 recommended). DVD drive or USB port.
XFCE: System requirements: 512MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage). 9GB of disk space (20GB recommended). Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution (1024×768 recommended). DVD drive or USB port.
Really, as long as your hardware is still relevant for even the most basic tasks you shouldn't need to worry about which Mint versions are more taxing. I would say screen resolution even has more bearing on desktop performance than which desktop environment is selected.
[–] 5592151? [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
thanks, I owe you a beer