Compiz _ Linux Mint 13 = 100% CPU usage.
 

I have been using linux or many years and have used several distros. Just recently decided to go with Linux Mint. I also enjoy the eyecandy of compiz-fusion. With reasonable settings, of course.. When I turn on compiz on this Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop the cpu spikes at 100% even though everything seems to be running correctly including compiz. Killing compiz does not return CPU to normal. I have to log out or restart to get it to settle down again. Any ideas on how to get the CPU under control besides just not using compiz? I didn't have this problem with Ubuntu or OpenSuse.

High CPU usage for Compiz usually means there's a problem with the graphics driver so you're getting no hardware acceleration. The CPU has to do the work instead of the graphics card, which usually shows itself as the X.org process taking up to 100% CPU time.

Mint is known for being good at getting the drivers right first time, but there are always exceptions. To clarify, has Compiz worked under Ubuntu/OpenSuse on that particular laptop? If so it might be worth comparing the graphics driver settings.

As for killing Compiz not solving the problem, I don't have an explanation but I have seen similar behaviour - it seems like compositing WMs in general have trouble 'letting go' of the graphics when you deactivate them.

Thanks Patsy. Compiz has always worked on this machine with minimal issues (Some effects don't work. i.e. reflections). I have seen issues with the Intel drivers before so you may be right on this one. I will look into it further. If I can't get it to work it is not a big deal as everything else seems to be working as advertized.