Speed Up Linux Desktop Performance with Latest Compton Optimization Guide

Speed Up Linux Desktop Performance with Compton Optimization

Linux desktops can often suffer from performance issues due to resource-intensive compositors. However, using Compton, a lightweight standalone compositor, can significantly improve your desktop's speed and responsiveness. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you optimize your Linux desktop performance with Compton.

Installing Compton

Compton is widely available in most Linux distribution repositories. To install it, use the following commands:

For Debian or Ubuntu-based systems:
```
sudo apt install compton
```
For Fedora/Red Hat systems:
```
sudo dnf install compton
```

If Compton is not available in your distribution’s repositories, you can find installation instructions on the project’s GitHub page.

Configuring Compton

To get the most out of Compton, you need to configure it properly. Here are the steps to follow:

Disable Your Current Compositor:
- For KDE:
  Open KDE’s System Settings, go to “Display and Monitor,” and disable the compositor.
- For MATE:
  Select "Marco (No Compositor)" in the MATE Tweak applet.
- For Xfce:
  Change the Window Manager to "Xfwm4 + Compton" in the Desktop Settings.
Try Compton in a Shell:
To test Compton, run it in a shell with the following command:
```
compton --vsync opengl-swc --backend glx
```
This command uses OpenGL instead of the old X Render backend, which provides better performance.
Add Compton to Startup Applications:

For KDE, MATE, and Xfce:
Add Compton to your startup applications to ensure it runs automatically on boot. For example, in MATE, go to “System/Personal/Startup Applications” and add Compton.

Optimizing Compton Settings

To further optimize Compton, you can tweak its configuration file. Here are some key settings:

Backend Settings:
- Backend to use: Set the backend to "glx" for better performance.
```
backend = "glx";
```
- GLX Backend Options:
```
glx-no-stencil = true;
glx-copy-from-front = false;
```
  These settings can improve performance by copying unmodified regions from the front buffer instead of redrawing them all.
Performance Tweaks:
- Partial Screen Update: Use MESA_copy_sub_buffer for partial screen updates, which can significantly boost performance when only a part of the screen is updated.
```
glx-use-copysubbuffermesa = true;
```
- Avoid Rebinding Pixmap: This can improve performance on rapid window content changes but may break on some drivers.
```
glx-no-rebind-pixmap = true;
```
- Buffer Swap Method: Adjust the buffer swap method to optimize for your driver.
```
glx-swap-method = "copy";
```

Specific Considerations for Different Desktop Environments

KDE

Performance Gains: Compton can significantly increase speed and responsiveness compared to KDE’s native compositor. It also provides a stylish and responsive desktop experience.
Limitations: Be cautious when changing desktop resolutions, as Compton may break. Logging out and back in or disabling Compton before changing resolutions can resolve this issue.

MATE

Ease of Setup: MATE is relatively easy to set up with Compton. Simply select "Marco (No Compositor)" in the MATE Tweak applet and add Compton to your startup applications.
Visual Tweaks: Compton provides transparent windows and menus, and fading effects, which can be adjusted to your liking.

Xfce

Lightweight Option: Xfce is already a lightweight desktop environment, but using Compton can further reduce the load on your graphics card. Change the Window Manager to "Xfwm4 + Compton" in the Desktop Settings.
Maximal Speed Gain: For maximum speed gain, you can disable all compositing, but this may cause screen tearing.

Additional Performance Tips

While Compton is a powerful tool for improving desktop performance, there are other tweaks you can apply to further enhance your system:

Disable Unnecessary Startup Applications: Remove any startup applications you don’t need to reduce the load on your system.
Optimize System Settings: Adjust settings like swapiness, noatime, and nodiratime to reduce writes on SSDs and improve overall system performance.
Use ZRAM: Consider installing ZRAM to use compressed memory, which can improve I/O performance and reduce wear on SSDs.
Upgrade Your Linux Kernel: Upgrading your kernel can provide noticeable performance improvements.

By following these steps and optimizing your Compton settings, you can significantly improve the performance and responsiveness of your Linux desktop.