High CPU by Xorg on Linux Mint Mate and Ubuntu + Mate
 

Hi,

i had a problem with both Linux Mint Mate 17.3 and Ubuntu 16.04 + Mate desktop (different machines). After some time (from minutes to hours) the Xorg process would jump to high cpu (100% of 1 thread) and never slowing down again.

After disabling several programs/extensions/add-ons i found that disabling 'Compositing' in the Windows Manager solved the issue.

This can be configured in the Desktop Settings -> Windows.

The Linux Mint was running the marco window manager. For ubuntu i can't tell.

Quick question - how old is your hardware? Better, what hardware are you using and what is its specs?

Well the hardware is recent enough:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3337U CPU @ 1.80GHz
6 GB memory
VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09)
OpenGL vendor string: Intel Open Source Technology Center
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Intel(R) Ivybridge Mobile
OpenGL core profile version string: 3.3 (Core Profile) Mesa 11.2.0

The other system that shows the problem is even more recent.

That's odd. It didn't occur with older versions of Mint. So what are specs of the other machine, and which ones are running Ubuntu MATE and Mint 17.3 MATE?

If it's the same hardware, and wasn't present in older versions of Mint and Ubuntu, it may be a software bug.

What happens when you try running another GTK based fat free DE like XFCE? Or just another DE/window manager in general? And with the Marco (MATE's Metacity) window manager?

i don't see how the behavior can be consistent on 3 completely different (different distro, different hardware) machines, so can you give more detail?

generally and from what info you provided, i can say that hardware accelaration on newer intel chips/gpus is not working perfectly yet; that COULD explain why disabling compositing helps.

Hi!

I have the same problem using Mate Desktop 1.12.1 with Ubuntu 16.04. I'm using Intel graphics too.

I will do that and confirm if it will resolve my problem too.

For Mate, change to GPU rendering
 

To elaborate on the previous user's entry.

Download mate-tweak

Go to "Windows"

Change the Window Manager to use "GPU accelerated". If you're using Compiz

"Compiz (Advanced GPU accelerated desktop effects"

else

Marco (Compton GPU compositor)

Now your GPU will handle the load and CPU load will be reduced.