Window movement in Unity jerky

[Omega]

Binary package hint: unity

On a relatively fresh install, Unity and/or Compiz have some very troubling performance characteristics. While the Unity dock bar on the left moves smoothly, window movement around the desktop is jerky and lags in the order of ~1+ seconds. Very noticeable.

Running 3D apps also reveals a severe impact in performance.

Several changes to system settings pertaining to vblank and vsync have been attempted, but to no avail. I'm running on a Core i5 2500k with a GeForce 560ti. This computer should slice through window compositing and even 3D surfaces like butter.

More details as I consult with others can be found here:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/38556/windows-in-unity-are-jumpy/38559#38559

Performance of the 3D Unity/Compiz stack seriously needs to improve if you want to drive adoption of this desktop. These dips in performance are very frustrating and impacting my (and others') first impressions of Unity.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: unity 3.8.10-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-8-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 270.41.06 Mon Apr 18 14:53:56 PDT 2011
 GCC version: gcc version 4.5.2 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.5.2-8ubuntu4)
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,bailer,detection,composite,opengl,decor,mousepoll,vpswitch,regex,animation,snap,expo,move,compiztoolbox,place,grid,imgpng,gnomecompat,wall,ezoom,workarounds,staticswitcher,resize,fade,unitymtgrabhandles,scale,session,unityshell]
CompositorRunning: compiz
Date: Sat Apr 30 15:25:49 2011
DistUpgraded: Log time: 2011-04-09 16:30:25.201836
DistroCodename: natty
DistroVariant: ubuntu
DkmsStatus:
 nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
 virtualbox-ose, 4.0.4, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
GraphicsCard:
 nVidia Corporation GF110 [GeForce GTX 560 Ti] [10de:1200] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: eVga.com. Corp. Device [3842:1561]
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110330)
InstallationMedia_: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110330)
InstallationMedia__: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110330)
JockeyStatus: xorg:nvidia_current - NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (Proprietary, Enabled, Not in use)
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en_CA:en
 LANG=en_CA.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=246c2fd8-243b-4544-8ed1-03d34c4492a6 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature_: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
ProcVersionSignature__: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
Renderer: Unknown
SourcePackage: unity
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to natty on 2011-04-09 (20 days ago)
XorgConf:
 Section "Device"
  Identifier "Default Device"
  Option "NoLogo" "True"
 EndSection
dmi.bios.date: 10/27/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 0402
dmi.board.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: P8P67
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr0402:bd10/27/2010:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnP8P67:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.4+bzr20110415-0ubuntu2
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs 20090808ubuntu13
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.23-1ubuntu6
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.nvidia-graphics-drivers: nvidia-graphics-drivers N/A
version.xserver-xorg: xserver-xorg 1:7.6+4ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.0-0ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.14.0-4ubuntu7
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20110107+b795ca6e-0ubuntu7

[Sebastien Bacher (seb128)]

Thank you for your bug report, do you get the same issue in a classic GNOME session with compiz?

[Omega (atrauzzi)]

Yes. After switching back to the older gnome desktop, the compositing was still jerky when dragging windows around. Which likely means this is a compiz issue?

[Omega (atrauzzi)]

*Note:

I also created the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTHCbvPcWsY

Not sure if you saw it in the askubuntu.com comments off the initial question. But it demonstrates the window lag quite clearly. As well as the suspicious difference in rendering speed of the Unity menu itself compared to the Windows' movement.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

try disabling 'sync to vblank' in nvidia settings as well in ccsm

[Omega (atrauzzi)]

I in fact already did, made no difference then either. I've tried several combinations of vblanc and vsync settings, to no avail.

Again, this can't possibly be related to that, as the animation for the Unity menu on the left is smooth (as demonstrated in my video). This is clearly related to something to do with how windows are handled while being moved around.

[David Burrows (snadge)]

I can confirm slow window movement in Ubuntu Classic mode. Intel driver - Chipset: "G45/G43". I noticed with wobbly windows enabled, the animation to maximise and restore the window is smooth as it should be. This leads me to suspect some kind of communication lag between X and compiz, since a maximise/restore should only generate a single event, where as window movement generates a relative flood of events, which appears to be causing something to jam.

My issue is exactly the same as Omega's video appears to indicate, except worse, because wobbly windows makes the problem much more obvious.

[Lem (lem-jjr)]

I'm also experiencing this issue on AMD Bobcat (E-350) hardware using both the open source drivers and Catalyst 11.4 (both Ubuntu shipped and the official release). Running AMD64 version of Ubuntu 11.04 desktop, fresh installed. Happens in Unity, haven't tested classic session yet.

Something peculiar I've noticed is that running Quanta Plus makes the problem much worse. This is true for my Bobcat laptop, and my desktop machine (Phenom II X4 955, nVidia GTX260, binary driver supplied with Ubuntu 11.04). As soon as Quanta Plus is quit, window movement improves significantly. Perhaps an incompatibility as such between KDE3 and Compiz? Like David mentioned, it's almost like there's a flood of events between various processes leading to the stalls/slow down..

[Reet (rtowsley)]

 I am experiencing the same issue with nvidia driver that ships with Ubuntu 11.04. I have Nvidia Gforce 320 graphics. Disabling v-sync did nothing. Please let me know what I can do to help resolve this issue.

[Lem (lem-jjr)]

Ok, home now to do some testing. I somehow forgot that Unity is silky smooth on my desktop Phenom II X4 955 and nVidia GTX260. I have "Detect Refresh Rate" disabled in Compiz, and set the refresh to 120. Terminals and other windows move around very smoothly, including in Expo mode. ..... EXCEPT when Quanta Plus is running. All of a sudden, performance drops to the jerky behaviour described here.

On the HP DM1-3010AU (AMD Zacate E-350 APU, dual core 1.6GHz with Radeon 6310 on die, 2Gb DDR3-1066, 1366x768 screen), with the Catalyst driver it's jerky, and even worse when Quanta Plus is running.

Personally I feel there's a big clue in Quanta making things so much worse, but I'm not skilled enough to figure it out past there. Of note though, moving a terminal around (on the Phenom II) sees compiz use 6-10% of an 800MHz core. While Quanta is running, moving that same terminal causes compiz to use 66-80% of a 3.2GHz core. Has to be something there to help figure this bug out..

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

try 'unity --reset' to restore all compiz settings and check if that makes a difference.

[Alex Launi (alexlauni)]

Jay has an nvidia 570 at his house. This is most likely a driver issue and not a bug explicitly in unity.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

(This issue also happens without unity)

On Tue, May 3, 2011 at 8:27 PM, Alex Launi <email address hidden> wrote:
> Jay has an nvidia 570 at his house. This is most likely a driver issue
> and not a bug explicitly in unity.
>
> ** Changed in: unity
>       Status: New => Incomplete
>
> ** Changed in: unity (Ubuntu)
>       Status: New => Incomplete
>
> ** Also affects: nux
>   Importance: Undecided
>       Status: New
>
> ** Changed in: nux
>       Status: New => Incomplete
>
> ** Changed in: nux
>   Importance: Undecided => Low
>
> ** Changed in: nux
>     Assignee: (unassigned) => Jay Taoko (jaytaoko)
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to unity.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/774414
>
> Title:
>  Window movement in Unity jerky
>
> Status in Nux:
>  Incomplete
> Status in Unity:
>  Incomplete
> Status in “unity” package in Ubuntu:
>  Incomplete
>
> Bug description:
>  Binary package hint: unity
>
>  On a relatively fresh install, Unity and/or Compiz have some very
>  troubling performance characteristics.  While the Unity dock bar on
>  the left moves smoothly, window movement around the desktop is jerky
>  and lags in the order of ~1+ seconds. Very noticeable.
>
>  Running 3D apps also reveals a severe impact in performance.
>
>  Several changes to system settings pertaining to vblank and vsync have
>  been attempted, but to no avail. I'm running on a Core i5 2500k with a
>  GeForce 560ti. This computer should slice through window compositing
>  and even 3D surfaces like butter.
>
>  More details as I consult with others can be found here:
>  http://askubuntu.com/questions/38556/windows-in-unity-are-jumpy/38559#38559
>
>  Performance of the 3D Unity/Compiz stack seriously needs to improve if
>  you want to drive adoption of this desktop.  These dips in performance
>  are very frustrating and impacting my (and others') first impressions
>  of Unity.
>
>  ProblemType: Bug
>  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
>  Package: unity 3.8.10-0ubuntu2
>  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
>  Uname: Linux 2.6.38-8-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  270.41.06  Mon Apr 18 14:53:56 PDT 2011
>   GCC version:  gcc version 4.5.2 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.5.2-8ubuntu4)
>  Architecture: amd64
>  CompizPlugins: [core,bailer,detection,composite,opengl,decor,mousepoll,vpswitch,regex,animation,snap,expo,move,compiztoolbox,place,grid,imgpng,gnomecompat,wall,ezoom,workarounds,staticswitcher,resize,fade,unitymtgrabhandles,scale,session,unityshell]
>  CompositorRunning: compiz
>  Date: Sat Apr 30 15:25:49 2011
>  DistUpgraded: Log time: 2011-04-09 16:30:25.201836
>  DistroCodename: natty
>  DistroVariant: ubuntu
>  DkmsStatus:
>   nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
>   virtualbox-ose, 4.0.4, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
>  GraphicsCard:
>   nVidia Corporation GF110 [GeForce GTX 560 Ti] [10de:1200] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
>     Subsystem: eV...

[gorgekara (gorgekara)]

I am also experiencing this problem - the 'unity --reset' did help a little bit not enough - windows are still not moving fluently. I have ATI Mobility Radeon 4500 series graphic card with newest drivers installed.

[muhalifsirin (alperense)]

I also have the same issue with Nvidia 8600 gt on a AMD X2 system. I tried both nouveau open source drivers and proprietary drivers. On classic ubuntu desktop everything is OK. On unity desktop, lag is unbearable. Although I have to note that open source nouveau drivers improved things a little bit; but still it is not enjoyable to use ubuntu anymore.

[mariux (marius24s)]

EXACTLY same problem here. When using Unity or Ubuntu Classic (with Compiz effects) window management becomes very jerky and unusable. I tried to play with VSYNC options, even tested all available Nvidia drivers and no luck. AMD Phenom II 965, GTX560Ti.