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pirx

Member

Registered: 2021-04-22

Posts: 3

lagging desktop on workstation - hints on fixing?

Hi!

I use XUbuntu 20.04 on my 3 computers (one tower workstation, and 2 capable laptops).
The laptops are really snappy, but the workstation lags noticably, especially when switching virtual desktops and dragging windows around.

The workstation has nice specs, and nothing seems much utilized, so i basically wonder where i could look for the problem, or if i can try to re-configure something?

Workstation specs:
CPU: Xeon 4 cores (usually idling a lot according to htop)
RAM: 32gb ECC (always like 20gb available according to 'free')
GFX: Nvidia Quadro K620 (glmark2 score 3972) - nvidia drivers (v450) are in use
Disc: 1Tb nvme/pcie SSD (2237.97 MB/sec according to 'hdparm -t')

I basically have the same suite of software in use on all computers: Slack, Spotify, Chrome and a bunch of terminals.
I have tried killing the softwares one by one for a while, but the laggning remained no matter what.

The laptops are capable, but the workstation should be way faster anyway. So what are the differences?

The workstation has 2 monitors, thats the main diff i guess, and by consequence a few more virtual desktops.

I dont think that i have made any "insane/stupid" desktop-configurations on the workstation.
In 95% of the cases i prefer speed over flashy effects.

So, does anyone have any hints on what the likely culprit to this could be?

  wbr / pirx

Last edited by pirx (2021-04-22 13:25:18)

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,486

Re: lagging desktop on workstation - hints on fixing?

Hello and welcome.

Does the lagginess still occur if you disable the compositor?

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pirx

Member

Registered: 2021-04-22

Posts: 3

Re: lagging desktop on workstation - hints on fixing?

Ok, so i found the composition thing, and disabled it. Feels much snappier right away!

One of my laptops is here right by me, a new(ish) Dell with builtin Intel graphics.
(for some reason this laptop, with the weakest gfx card, is also the snappiest)
It had the exact same (on) settings for composition as my workstation. Weird.

Anyway, i'll try different setups of this on the 3 computers and get back with the result!

Thanks @Toz!

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,486

Re: lagging desktop on workstation - hints on fixing?

It would seem that the issue is somehow related to the nvidia driver. Have a look at this post that identifies different vblank modes supported by xfwm4. Also, have a read through this Arch Wiki article. The info would still be relevant for Xubuntu - especially the information pertaining to the ForceFullCompositionPipeline setting.

I don't have an nvidia card to be able to assist, but these issues tend to come up frequently with nvidia cards.

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pirx

Member

Registered: 2021-04-22

Posts: 3

Re: lagging desktop on workstation - hints on fixing?

This is great stuff!

I came upon "vsync" discussions when i searched the web about "compositors". That has to do with "vblank" i see.
I cant see how i find out if i am currently using vsync in X or in the gfx card (?)

In any case, it sure looks like this is a nvidia issue...
Both laptops use integrated Intel gfx (the snappiest has the newest cpu...).

The older laptop of the two does have a GeForce GTX 960M, but i remember i turned that off, because.. dont remember.. tearing problems perhaps lol:)

Also, it seems like the moral choice would be to get an AMD card (foss stuff and such). So i quickly searched for "cheap fanless radeon" but only found cards from like $500 and up?!?! They dont have any low-end cards for us non-gamers? Ouch!
So, suggestions on solid gfx cards for linux?