[aspeed] gnome-shell using more than 50% of CPU by simply moving the mouse

[Sofia Paz]

I recently upgraded my system from Ubuntu 18.04 to 22.04 and I started having issues with my video.

If I use the kernel 6.5, my resolution will drop to sub-optimal (it should be 1920x1200). Using the 6.2 kernel will allow me to choose optimal resolution, but the CPU usage blows up for gnome-shell by simply moving the cursor (usage > 50% according to "top" command).

Below is the info from my system.

Description: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
Release: 22.04
Kernel : 6.2.0-31-generic

"inxi -Gx"

Graphics:
  Device-1: ASPEED Graphics Family vendor: Super Micro driver: ast v: kernel
    bus-ID: c2:00.0
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
    unloaded: fbdev,vesa gpu: ast resolution: 1920x1200~60Hz
  OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 15.0.7 256 bits)
    v: 4.5 Mesa 23.2.1-1ubuntu3.1~22.04.2 direct render: Yes

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
Package: gnome-shell 42.9-0ubuntu2.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.2.0-31.31~22.04.1-generic 6.2.15
Uname: Linux 6.2.0-31-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.5
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Mon Jun 10 10:18:51 2024
DisplayManager: gdm3
InstallationDate: Installed on 2024-06-06 (3 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS "Jammy Jellyfish" - Release amd64 (20240220)
RelatedPackageVersions: mutter-common 42.9-0ubuntu7.1
SourcePackage: gnome-shell
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

The high CPU looks like it's just because the system is using software rendering, because there's no GPU. Ideally moving a mouse cursor shouldn't need a real GPU though, just basic display hardware.

While the high CPU is happening, please run:

  sudo apt install drm-info
  sudo drm_info > drminfo.txt
  journalctl -b0 > journal.txt

and attach the resulting text files here.

[Sofia Paz (sofiapaz)]

Update: I tried upgrading my system to the latest LTS (24.04). The problem just got worse. The spikes are now x > 100%.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

It looks like you're using Xorg so that should be handling the cursor movement independently of gnome-shell. Is it really just gnome-shell using high CPU?

Please try:

  gnome-extensions disable <email address hidden>

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for gnome-shell (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]