[i945] [i945gm] [Karmic] Regression in Intel i9xx performance

[hewbert]

Binary package hint: xorg

Since upgrading to Karmic Beta, there's a definite noticeable decrease in graphical performance. I don't know the exact culprit of this, unfortunately. It's noticeable on window (re)drawing mostly, opening an application menu, and other such things. I know glxgears is no benchmark, but when using it, there's certainly a noticeable choppiness there. Overall, it's somewhat subtle, but noticeable enough to be annoying.

Since I'm not sure where to start with this, I'm willing to try whatever is needed to find the culprit. I have tested with xserver-xorg-video-intel 2.4 and didn't notice the issues, but I also couldn't enable compiz, for example. I've tested this under a 'test' user without compiz and there was a degradation there as well.

I've tried the Mesa packages from X Retro: https://edge.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat/+archive/x-retro, but it didn't seem to impact anything.

Further information:

lspci -vvnn | grep "VGA compatible controller"
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:27a2] (rev 03)

2.6.31-13-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP
libgl1-mesa-dri: Version: 7.6.0-1+really7.6.0~git20090817-0ubuntu8

xserver-xorg-video-intel:
  Installed: 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu1

xorg:
  Installed: 1:7.4+3ubuntu5

Bug 440986 _may_ be related.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
Date: Fri Oct 9 15:01:02 2009
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
MachineType: Dell Inc. MP061
NonfreeKernelModules: openafs
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu5
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic root=UUID=c684930b-420e-4d72-8de7-e9225f502115 ro splash vga=788 quiet quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/usr/bin/zsh
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-13.42-generic
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu5
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.6.0-1+really7.6.0~git20090817-0ubuntu8
 libdrm2 2.4.14-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20090825.fc74e119-0ubuntu3
SourcePackage: xorg
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-13-generic i686
XsessionErrors:
 (gnome-settings-daemon:19423): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (gnome-settings-daemon:19423): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:19521): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
 (nautilus:19511): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
 (Do:19546): Wnck-CRITICAL **: wnck_set_client_type got called multiple times.
dmi.bios.date: 06/27/2007
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A09
dmi.board.name: 0FF049
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA09:bd06/27/2007:svnDellInc.:pnMP061:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0FF049:rvr:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr:
dmi.product.name: MP061
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.
fglrx: Not loaded
system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: i686kernel: 2.6.31-13-generic

[hewbert (josh-hewbert)]

Actually, bug 416073 may more closely relate, but I'm not sure we're experiencing the same issue or not.

[Ricardo (rivera151-gmail)]

I have had issues with intel karmic performance, specific to my case:

Using 945GM
Fullscreen Flash video finally works right, not choppy at all.
I have not been able to enable desktop effects (via kdm), at least not using OpenGL
The tty's are jumbled. I can see the last three or four characters typed at the terminal repeated over and over
I get an ocassional fullscreen shudder/flicker
I don't use glxgears
direct rendering is enabled as reported by glxinfo

Also might help:
I have a "/dev/dri/card0" but I don't have a "/dev/card0". Is that normal?

I hope that helps, or if these are the symptoms everyone is getting.

Let me know if you need more info.

[hewbert (josh-hewbert)]

I don't want to speak too soon, but my issues seem to have drastically improved (resolved?).

I can't say what did it - a recent update or just coincidence. One thing I have changed is stop using avant-window-navigator. Since I did test under a new user without any desktop effects (completely stock) and things seemed slow, this could be just a coincidence.

In any event, I'm hoping my recent experience does indicate a resolve :) [updated system as of 0200 11OCT09]

[Geir Ove Myhr (gomyhr)]

This bug report has been inactive for quite some time and in the meantime Ubuntu has moved along. I hope the reported problem has been resolved in the current version of Ubuntu. If it has not and there are people willing to follow up with information collecting and testing, it is best to file a new bug report with the latest Ubuntu development version (currently 10.04, but soon 10.10), using the ubuntu-bug command if possible. Feel free to mention the bug number of this bug.

We are sorry that we are not always have the capacity to look at all reported bugs in a timely manner. Occationally we have to purge old bug reports where no progress has been made, whether it is due to reporter not being able to respond or lack of manpower on the Ubuntu side, in order to keep our list of "active" bugs current. Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.

Here are a few tips that will increase the chances that your bug gets priority:
* Read https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Reporting
* Browse https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X and see if there is some relevant information for you problem
* Respond quickly to questions from triagers
* Try changing things to see if the behaviour changes, e.g.
  * A new mainline kernel from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/?C=M;O=D (more information at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/MainlineBuilds)
  * The xorg-edgers PPA: https://launchpad.net/~xorg-edgers/+archive/ppa
  * Various options in `/etc/X11/xorg.conf` (see `man intel`)
* Browse other bug reports to see if you find a similar one and provide the information that is being asked for there.