Optimizing Graphics Rendering with Compton and OpenGL on Ubuntu
Compton is a lightweight window compositor that enhances desktop visuals with effects like transparency, shadows, and blurring. However, these effects can strain system resources, especially on older hardware or when running GPU-intensive applications (e.g., games). Coupled with OpenGL, Compton can leverage GPU acceleration to improve performance while maintaining visual quality. Below are step-by-step optimizations to balance visuals and efficiency.
First, ensure Compton is installed on your Ubuntu system. Use the following command for Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions:
sudo apt install compton
This installs the latest version available in your distribution’s repositories.
The primary configuration file for Compton is located at ~/.config/compton.conf (create it if it doesn’t exist). Edit this file using a text editor (e.g., nano):
nano ~/.config/compton.conf
Below are critical optimizations to prioritize:
backendThe backend parameter determines how Compton renders windows. For OpenGL acceleration, set it to glx (recommended for most systems):
backend = "glx";
This leverages your GPU to handle compositing, significantly improving performance over the CPU-based xrender backend. Ensure your OpenGL drivers are up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues.
Effects like shadows and transparency consume GPU/CPU resources. Disable them unless essential:
shadow = false; # Turn off window shadows
opacity = false; # Disable window transparency
bg_blur = false; # Disable background blur
screen_edge_blur = false;# Disable screen edge blur
These changes reduce the load on your system, making Compton smoother on lower-end hardware.
vsync)Vertical sync (VSync) synchronizes frame rendering with your monitor’s refresh rate to prevent tearing. However, it can introduce input lag. Set it based on your needs:
vsync = "true"; # Enable VSync (recommended for most users)
# vsync = "false"; # Disable VSync (for lower latency in games)
If you experience lag in fast-paced games, try disabling VSync.
Some applications (e.g., games, video players) don’t need compositing and can run faster without it. Use the unredir-if-possible-exclude option to bypass compositing for specific windows:
unredir-if-possible-exclude = [
"class_g = 'csgo_linux64'", # Example: Counter-Strike 2
"class_g = 'GenshinImpact'" # Example: Genshin Impact
];
Add rules for any application that runs poorly with compositing. This forces them to render directly, bypassing Compton.
For advanced users, adjust OpenGL-specific options to further improve performance:
glx-no-stencil = true; # Disable stencil buffer (reduces memory usage)
glx-no-rebind-pixmap = true; # Improve pixmap handling efficiency
glx-copy-from-front = false; # Avoid unnecessary front buffer copying
These settings optimize how Compton interacts with OpenGL, reducing overhead.
After saving your configuration file, restart Compton to apply changes. You can do this via the terminal:
killall compton && compton -b --config ~/.config/compton.conf
The -b flag runs Compton in the background, and --config specifies the path to your custom configuration file.
If Compton still impacts system performance, limit its CPU usage using tools like cpulimit. First, find Compton’s process ID (PID):
pgrep compton
Then, limit it to 50% CPU usage (adjust as needed):
cpulimit -l 50 -p <PID>
Replace <PID> with the actual process ID. This prevents Compton from hogging system resources.
If Compton no longer meets your needs (e.g., due to lack of maintenance), consider switching to picom (a modern fork of Compton). Picom offers better performance and more features. Install it on Ubuntu:
sudo apt install picom
Configure it similarly to Compton, using the ~/.config/picom.conf file.
By following these steps, you can optimize Compton’s graphics rendering on Ubuntu to achieve a balance between visual effects and system performance. Remember to test different configurations to find the best setup for your hardware and workflow.
