compiz 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4, performance regression

[Silviu C.]

The latest update, received today, for compiz seems to have a regression in regards to performance. Before the update, dragging windows was smooth, now they lag when dragged.

silviu@silviu-pangolin:~$ apt-cache policy compiz
compiz:
  Installed: 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4
  Candidate: 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4
  Version table:
 *** 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1:0.9.7.6-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: compiz 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-29.46-generic 3.2.24
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-29-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
.proc.driver.nvidia.gpus.0: Error: [Errno 21] Is a directory: '/proc/driver/nvidia/gpus/0'
.proc.driver.nvidia.registry: Binary: ""
.proc.driver.nvidia.version:
 NVRM version: NVIDIA UNIX x86_64 Kernel Module 295.49 Mon Apr 30 23:46:33 PDT 2012
 GCC version: gcc version 4.6.3 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.6.3-1ubuntu5)
.tmp.unity.support.test.0:

ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu12
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,composite,opengl,compiztoolbox,decor,vpswitch,snap,mousepoll,resize,place,move,wall,grid,regex,imgpng,session,gnomecompat,animation,fade,unitymtgrabhandles,workarounds,scale,expo,ezoom,unityshell]
CompositorRunning: compiz
Date: Thu Aug 16 10:51:47 2012
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: precise
DistroVariant: ubuntu
GraphicsCard:
 NVIDIA Corporation GT200 [GeForce GTX 260] [10de:05e2] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:34ca]
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20120425)
JockeyStatus:
 xorg:nvidia_current - NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (Proprietary, Disabled, Not in use)
 xorg:nvidia_current_updates - NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (post-release updates) (Proprietary, Enabled, In use)
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.2.0-29-generic root=UUID=30aa33df-cc67-449b-83d8-bbc33f2a3e36 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
SourcePackage: compiz
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 10/27/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 1104
dmi.board.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: P8P67 LE
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev X.0X
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr1104:bd10/27/2011:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKCOMPUTERINC.:rnP8P67LE:rvrRevX.0X:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs 20090808ubuntu36
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.32-1ubuntu1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 8.0.3+8.0.2-0ubuntu3.2
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 8.0.3+8.0.2-0ubuntu3.2
version.nvidia-graphics-drivers: nvidia-graphics-drivers N/A
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.7
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.7.0-0ubuntu1.2
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.99~git20111219.aacbd629-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.17.0-1ubuntu4.1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20111201+b5534a1-1build2

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Silviu,

Firstly, please make sure you have the workaround for NVIDIA bug 92599 set up. There are two possible workarounds described here --> bug 92599

If the problem persists, please try downloading and installing the previous compiz release:
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/compiz/1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.2/+build/3646196

[Silviu C. (silviucc)]

Hello,

I've tried the workarounds but they did not fix the issue. I want to revert back to the version of compiz that you suggested but I'm not exactly sure how that is done. Download the debs on that page, then purge compiz and install them ?

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

You will probably need to install them all at once to ensure dependencies are satisfied...

1. cd to where the debs are
2. sudo dpkg -i *deb

[Silviu C. (silviucc)]

Hello,

Installing the debs like that worked but apt is complaining now about having a broken dbase. Windows move smoothly again.

Running sudo apt-get install -f is not an option. Looks like it wants to install the newer compiz version.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

I'm not yet sure which fix could have caused this regression. In my previous testing I've noticed the nvidia driver is one of the most problematic when it comes to window resize/move. But if it worked before we should be able to make it work again.

Could you please try uninstalling the nvidia driver and testing the built-in nouveau driver?

[Silviu C. (silviucc)]

Hello,

Managed to get back nouveau. Had some apt issues because I installed the previous version of the compiz packs. I can't tell you how well windows moving was with version 0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.2 but with the latest version it dragging windows seems smooth. I do get a bit of tearing when moving windows around. It shows mostly on vertical moves.

With the nvidia driver, this new version of compiz manages to shave off about 10 fps (compared to the old version) in games I run with Crossover (wine).

silviu@silviu-pangolin:~$ dpkg -s compiz
Package: compiz
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: x11
Installed-Size: 59
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
Architecture: all
Version: 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4
Provides: x-window-manager
Depends: compiz-core (>= 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4), compiz-plugins-default (>= 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4), compiz-gnome | compiz-kde, compiz-plugins-main-default (>= 0.9), libcompizconfig0 (>= 0.9.7.0~bzr428-0ubuntu2)
Suggests: compizconfig-settings-manager

If I can help you troubleshoot more, let me know.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Silvio,

The tearing with nouveau is because nouveau disables vsync support by default. I have no idea why. To enable it, edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf:

Section "Device"
    Identifier "My Graphics"
    Driver "nouveau"
    Option "GLXVBlank" "on"
EndSection

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Paulo Narciso (p-narciso)]

Isn't this bug the same as https://bugs.launchpad.net/compiz/+bug/1025586 ?

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Paulo:

No. The code causing bug 1025586 is not in compiz 1:0.9.7.8-0ubuntu1.4

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Silviu,

I think your original problem with nvidia might be best explained as bug 1049214. Can we make this a duplicate of that?

[Silviu C. (silviucc)]

Hi Daniel,

Yes, I too believe that what's described in bug #1049214 seems to fit what's happening on screen. Please mark this as a dupe of that bug report.

On a side-note there was something that caught my eye in the latest nvidia driver beta:

Version 310.14
Release Date Mon Oct 15, 2012

* Improved performance and responsiveness of windowed OpenGL applications running inside a Unity session.

While this may not cure the issues in this bug report it might restore performance lost when gaming. It will certainly make it worth checking

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Awesome. Thanks for pointing out the new NVIDIA driver...
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux-display-amd64-310.14-driver.html