LMDE MATE 64bit slows down dramatically

[Conni]

The problem

After surfing the internet sooner or later my computer (LMDE Mate 64bit) is gonna slow down. It's a systematic slowdown. The Blowfish Benchmark (hardinfo) is for instance usually roughly 4 on my computer, after slowing down it is roughly 10. Other Benchmarks are worsening at a similar ratio. The system is still usable, but a bit sluggish.

Workaround

Currently the only workaround in order to reestablish the normal performance is a reboot. Logging out and logging in does not change anything.

Other experiments

I tried different web browsers (Firefox 29, Firefox 30, Midori 0.4.3), the problem occured with all three browsers.

Diagnosis

I checked the list of processes with the task manager in the normal state (after booting) and after slowing down. There are no additional processes. If I am trying to exhaust the CPU up to the limit, it simply does not happen after the computer has slown down. Although the task manager displays 100% CPU, the displayed CPU temperature (MATE Sensors Applet) is roughly 10 degrees (Celsius) below the normal limit (which is 64 degrees Celsius), and the CPU fan is not as loud as usual.

After slowing down I have still

Code: Select all

$ ulimit
unlimited

I also compared the output of sysctl -a in the normal state and after slowing down. Theses are the differences, there are not many:

Before slowing down:

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$ sysctl -a 
fs.dentry-state = 23062	17232	45	0	0	0
fs.file-nr = 4736	0	544438
fs.inode-nr = 13102	419
fs.inode-state = 13102	419	0	0	0	0	0
kernel.random.boot_id = c4569da5-fd0e-4768-babb-ebb17fe97c75
kernel.random.entropy_avail = 133
kernel.random.uuid = 99ad5d06-34d5-4d78-a47a-cd5e2155181b
net.ipv4.tcp_fastopen_key = e6171192-72cfad59-17144c94-a5df7b10

After slowing down:

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$ sysctl -a 
fs.dentry-state = 25901	19985	45	0	0	0
fs.file-nr = 5088	0	544438
fs.inode-nr = 15331	419
fs.inode-state = 15331	419	0	0	0	0	0
kernel.random.boot_id = b6323cc9-1ff7-432d-9ba8-7d6458d5dd2e
kernel.random.entropy_avail = 148
kernel.random.uuid = e0b1db33-2451-4d11-a96b-803b0b30884d
net.ipv4.tcp_fastopen_key = 216ba46c-eb96141e-63c15ba6-cd7810c0

I am not sure, if theses differences are of any relevance.

I would be very grateful for any hint.

[Swansen]

yep, i'm having the same exact issue but on cinnamon. I've used various distros and even vanilla debian and this has only happened with LMDE so far.

[Conni]

Under Lubuntu 14.04, which I had also on my desktop (as a dualboot OS besides LMDE) the problem occurred too, especially after watching videos. Maybe it is simply the newer kernel. I don't know, but especially during the FIFA World Cup I found the issue pretty annoying.

The problem never occurred with Antergos on my laptop. Finally I migrated my desktop to Antergos Mate, where the problem never occurred.

[Swansen]

just a note, i was using cinnamon, but, i installed and have been using KDE and i don't have the slowdown issue anymore. i would also get laggy flash playback but don't get that anymore. as well as issues with chrome and tabs switching for no reason(at least the 'window' would, ie, the view would be of a different tab that was actually on). As well as some weird artifacts with the taskbar and various things. all gone when i started using KDE(which i prefer anywho). i dunno..

[Elysium]

Hey guys,

I am having the same issue. I thought it was google chrome first and then changed to Opera, but the problems still persists.

Is there a way to fix it? I am thinking of migrating to another distro with the Mate flavour....simply because I cant work like this.

[ddurdle]

Which exact version of LMDE are you using? LMDE 2.0?

Are you suspending and hibernating at all? I noticed an issue on one of my systems after upgrading to LMDE 2.0 that would cause the CPU to throttle to the slowest speed after a hibernation or sleep (and on resolution was to reboot). I ended up removing the pm-powersave call when suspending or hibernating.