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5

How can I reduce the CPU usage of X/LightDM?

rated 0 times [ 5] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 17107 / 3 Years ago, sat, september 11, 2021, 3:55:11

Running Xubuntu 12.04 on a netbook (Lenovo S10), the lightdm process which runs in the background takes up constantly a precious 12% of the CPU. Besides, this consumes a considerable amount of energy, and the battery life already isn't that good.

The process I am referring to is shown in htop as this command:

    /usr/bin/X :0 -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -nolisten tcp vt7 -novtswitch -background none

Why is this process necessary? Is there a way to reduce its processor usage?

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answered 3 Years ago ardtry · Accepted Answer

/usr/bin/X :0 -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0...

That isn't lightdm, but the X server which is essential to having a GUI on any Linux.

It shouldn't constantly use 12% of CPU, but CPU use should go up and down depending on the amount of "activity" that you are performing on your desktop.

To try the options suggested by @drake01's eHow Link, you must create a new file in /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d. For example:

sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/99-mycputweaks.conf

Insert:



Section "Screen"

Option "RenderAccel" "True"

Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True"

Option "DamageEvents" "True"

Option "UseEvents" "True"

EndSection

Save, exit and reboot (or restart X from a virtual terminal).

You may also want to try Jupiter, a power-management applet designed specially for netbooks to try to improve your battery life. (available from PPA).