Sudden lags / Frame drops in Linux mint when gaming

[Syrup7855]

Hi,
First off, I would like to say a BIG thank you to Linux Mint community! The ease of installation, and user friendly system is a really good thing! And best part, it is free! I hope I can contribute to the community as I will get more experience as time go by!

So the issue...
I have been jumping around on some different Linux distros? (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch etc..) but tbh, I like mint better.
But the issue I am facing is sudden lags / frame drops in games. This was not the case in Ubuntu or Fedora, so I am wondering if it can be something doing this?? I have checked that I have the correct drivers installed etc, and from what I can see I have.. So help?

Here is my system:

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.15.0-97-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4
    tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
    base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: TUF B360-PRO GAMING v: Rev 1.xx serial: <superuser required>
    UEFI: American Megatrends v: 2301 date: 07/10/2020
CPU:
  Info: 6-core model: Intel Core i5-8500 bits: 64 type: MCP smt: <unsupported> arch: Coffee Lake
    rev: A cache: L1: 384 KiB L2: 1.5 MiB L3: 9 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 3988 high: 3999 min/max: 800/4100 cores: 1: 3961 2: 3999 3: 3994 4: 3986
    5: 3999 6: 3993 bogomips: 36000
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GP107 [GeForce GTX 1050 Ti] vendor: Gigabyte GV-N105TOC-4GD driver: nvidia
    v: 535.161.07 pcie: speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 ports: active: none off: HDMI-A-1
    empty: DP-1,DVI-D-1 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1c82 class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: nvidia
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa gpu: nvidia display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3440x1440 s-dpi: 109 s-size: 802x333mm (31.6x13.1") s-diag: 868mm (34.2")
  Monitor-1: HDMI-0 res: 3440x1440 dpi: 110 size: 797x333mm (31.4x13.1") diag: 864mm (34")
  OpenGL: renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti/PCIe/SSE2 v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 535.161.07
    direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Lake PCH cAVS vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:a348 class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: NVIDIA GP107GL High Definition Audio vendor: Gigabyte driver: snd_hda_intel
    v: kernel pcie: speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0fb9 class-ID: 0403
  Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-97-generic running: yes
  Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes
  Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.48 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Ethernet I219-V vendor: ASUSTeK driver: e1000e v: kernel port: N/A
    bus-ID: 00:1f.6 chip-ID: 8086:15bc class-ID: 0200
  IF: eno1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 69.88 GiB (7.5%)
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Western Digital model: WDS100T1X0E-00AFY0 size: 931.51 GiB
    speed: 63.2 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: 614900WD temp: 42.9 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 915.32 GiB used: 69.87 GiB (7.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2
  ID-2: /boot/efi size: 511 MiB used: 6.1 MiB (1.2%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 2 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 file: /swapfile
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 16 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 1-2:2 info: Compx VXE Mouse 1K Dongle type: Keyboard,HID,Mouse
    driver: hid-generic,usbhid interfaces: 3 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 98mA chip-ID: 3554:f58e
    class-ID: 0301
  Device-2: 1-7:3 info: Trust GXT 863 Keyboard type: Keyboard,HID driver: hid-generic,usbhid
    interfaces: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 145f:02e2 class-ID: 0300
  Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 6 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
    class-ID: 0900
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 27.8 C mobo: N/A gpu: nvidia temp: 53 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nvidia fan: 0%
Repos:
  Packages: apt: 2338
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
    1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com virginia main upstream import backport
    2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
Info:
  Processes: 284 Uptime: 1h 51m wakeups: 0 Memory: 62.71 GiB used: 4.89 GiB (7.8%) Init: systemd
  v: 249 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.4.0 alt: 11/12 Client: Unknown python3.10 client
  inxi: 3.3.13

[MiZoG]

Hello Syrup7855 and welcome to Mint forums
I have a very similar setup and I don't suffer from lags apart from a couple of online games that are lagging everywhere not only on Mint
Your system specs report shows a healthy freshly installed system. Give us some details about the games and their origin (Steam, GOG etc). I only notice you lack steam repo among your software sources. So I bet you either use flatpak or you installed steam from Ubuntu repos (Software Manager) in case those games are in your Steam Library. Latter (Ubuntu package) can be a problem. Install steam via official valve's .deb installer.

[Syrup7855]

Hi, and thank you so much for taking the time to check my problem .

I installed Steam via the software manager in linux mint. Name: steam:i386 Version: 1:1.0.0.74-1ubuntu2

The game I am playing is Dota 2, and will probably be the only game I will be playing. I can try to uninstall it from software manager and then download from steam site.

Update of system info after installing steam via steampowered site. (deb) file.

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.15.0-97-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4
    tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
    base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: TUF B360-PRO GAMING v: Rev 1.xx serial: <superuser required>
    UEFI: American Megatrends v: 2301 date: 07/10/2020
CPU:
  Info: 6-core model: Intel Core i5-8500 bits: 64 type: MCP smt: <unsupported> arch: Coffee Lake
    rev: A cache: L1: 384 KiB L2: 1.5 MiB L3: 9 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 3900 min/max: 800/4100 cores: 1: 3900 2: 3900 3: 3900 4: 3900 5: 3900
    6: 3900 bogomips: 36000
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GP107 [GeForce GTX 1050 Ti] vendor: Gigabyte GV-N105TOC-4GD driver: nvidia
    v: 535.161.07 pcie: speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 ports: active: none off: HDMI-A-1
    empty: DP-1,DVI-D-1 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1c82 class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: nvidia
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa gpu: nvidia display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3440x1440 s-dpi: 109 s-size: 802x333mm (31.6x13.1") s-diag: 868mm (34.2")
  Monitor-1: HDMI-0 res: 3440x1440 dpi: 110 size: 797x333mm (31.4x13.1") diag: 864mm (34")
  OpenGL: renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti/PCIe/SSE2 v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 535.161.07
    direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Lake PCH cAVS vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:a348 class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: NVIDIA GP107GL High Definition Audio vendor: Gigabyte driver: snd_hda_intel
    v: kernel pcie: speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0fb9 class-ID: 0403
  Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-97-generic running: yes
  Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes
  Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.48 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Ethernet I219-V vendor: ASUSTeK driver: e1000e v: kernel port: N/A
    bus-ID: 00:1f.6 chip-ID: 8086:15bc class-ID: 0200
  IF: eno1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 82 GiB (8.8%)
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Western Digital model: WDS100T1X0E-00AFY0 size: 931.51 GiB
    speed: 63.2 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: 614900WD temp: 35.9 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 915.32 GiB used: 81.99 GiB (9.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2
  ID-2: /boot/efi size: 511 MiB used: 6.1 MiB (1.2%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 2 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 file: /swapfile
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 16 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 1-2:2 info: Compx VXE Mouse 1K Dongle type: Keyboard,HID,Mouse
    driver: hid-generic,usbhid interfaces: 3 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 98mA chip-ID: 3554:f58e
    class-ID: 0301
  Device-2: 1-7:3 info: Trust GXT 863 Keyboard type: Keyboard,HID driver: hid-generic,usbhid
    interfaces: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 145f:02e2 class-ID: 0300
  Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 6 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
    class-ID: 0900
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 27.8 C mobo: N/A gpu: nvidia temp: 39 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nvidia fan: 0%
Repos:
  Packages: apt: 2330
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
    1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com virginia main upstream import backport
    2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam-beta.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam-stable.list
    1: deb [arch=amd64,i386 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/steam.gpg] https: //repo.steampowered.com/steam/ stable steam
    2: deb-src [arch=amd64,i386 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/steam.gpg] https: //repo.steampowered.com/steam/ stable steam
Info:
  Processes: 269 Uptime: 5m wakeups: 0 Memory: 62.71 GiB used: 3 GiB (4.8%) Init: systemd v: 249
  runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.4.0 alt: 11/12 Client: Unknown python3.10 client inxi: 3.3.13

[Neophyte]

What worked for me was uninstalling Steam, then open the software manager and searching for Steam. Rather installing the first one you see, look for the one that says "flathub" on it, then install that version instead. Can't guarantee it will help you, but it fixed all the issues that I was having.

[1000]

- You can read
viewtopic.php?t=413242

- You can install other Desktop Environment for test for games.
Can be it installed from / with meta package in Synaptic package manager.
Synaptic have history installed package, you can try remove.
Better option is use Timeshift to restore system.

- You can try turn off visual effects if exist in Cinnamon.

Edited
Check if your system is updated.
I have on Ubuntu NVIDIA Driver Version: 545.29.06 , ( Distro: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS )
( Or probably is in " Driver Manager " app )
But I had problems. Driver didn't want to work properly,
When I wanted to change, I noticed problem with dependencies. ( ... libhvloc-plugins: requires libxnvctrl0 ... )
The system started using noveau or vesa driver, also on new user account.
I used from root ( I found this on this forum, thanks )

Code: Select all

apt-get purge *nvidia*
apt --fix-broken install
apt autoremove
apt install nvidia-driver-545

and that solved my problem.
Other way to restore system you can try use Timeshift. ( to use older driver )

[Syrup7855]

Thanks for all the answers!:D I will test with the solutions that have been posted and coming back with what works for me, if any

[Weelinux_49]

Install Steam from Valve website: https://store.steampowered.com/about

Do not install it from APT or flathub.

Set CPU Profile to Performance and also select NVIDIA Performance profile, do not use ONDEMAND.

Turn off composition for full screen windows.

[Syrup7855]

I did install from steams website, so that is OK.
Nvidia set to performance
How do I set CPU to performance? I know I could do so in ubuntu by choosing power mode to performance.
Turn off composition for full screen I will need to check that one!

[1000]

How do I set CPU to performance?

Try install gamemoderun
And set for game which you use

Code: Select all

gamemoderun %command%

Example
https://www.addictivetips.com/app/uploa ... mode-1.jpg

[Syrup7855]

Thanks! I tested gamemode, no difference from what I could see. But to be clear, should it be "gamemoderun %command%" and the command is the command? Or is command enough for it to understand gamemode? Sry for being stupid here

[Weelinux_49]

Linux Mint Cinnamon, by default, doesn’t come with a graphical interface for power-profiles switching. To see what profiles are available open up a terminal and run powerprofilesctl. To change profile run powerprofilesctl set <profile> ( e.g powerprofilesctl set perfomance ).

There is an applet that allows you to switch power profile very easily directly from the panel. Just install it from Applets settings.

Press Start, type “Applets” and press Enter; or Right Click on the panel and select Applets .
Go to Download tab and search for “power profile”, download the applet then go to Manage, select the applet and click + to add it to the panel.


GameMode won't change your cpu power profile to performance. It will set the cpu governor to performance, which by default should be set to powersave.

gamemoderun %command% is enough to enable GameMode. To check the status open up a terminal and run gamemoded -s

[Syrup7855]

Thanks! So this is the one line i should add under launch options for my game on steam.

gamemoderun %command%

[Weelinux_49]

Yes it is.
To turn off compositor press Start. type "General" and Enter. In this window check "Disable compositing for full-screen windows". That's it.
Have you installed Nvidia drivers correctly?

[Syrup7855]

Thank you all so much!
I think things are working better.
I have done a lot of the changes what people have suggested, and these things so far seem to have worked best.

Install steam directly from steampowered (.deb).
Set Nvidia to performance
gamemoderun %command% (not 100% sure if this does anything.. but so far no issues).
turn off compositor

And last, change in game from "what my monitor use" to "full screen and refresh rate".

Will still experiment and see if anything else can be done to give me even better experience.

[1000]

Code: Select all

gamemoderun %command%

I can confirm. You have also internet to check.
For example from internet https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gamemo ... Steam_game
and I don't know why, but it is.
and when you need create from log is similar.

Code: Select all

PROTON_LOG=1 %command%

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton ... roton-logs

I don't know what exactly gamemoderun doing,
but in theory it should do everything to optimize the system environment for game.
More in https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode

When using a forum, you need to use some independence in searching for information.
You need to expand your knowledge.
Because people usually don't have time to write large guides for everyone.
And at the same time deepen knowledge from other things.
Don't take it personally, I'm just warning you that you have to be wise in life.
But lack of time sometimes prevents people from writing more.
If you have time, also use the search engine, wiki , guides.

Code: Select all

linux searched word

About CPU
- You can check Bios / UEFI settings
- Above mentioned about CPU Governor
I have " monitor CPU frequency " in side Mate desktop.
I can use " cpupower-gui " or script Switcher for CPU frequency scaling governors
viewtopic.php?p=2053599&hilit=CPU+Governor#p2053599
But I don't use, because I don't see the difference in FPS, but maybe someone other have other hardware and see.

Honestly, I don't know why your performance drops,
This may be influenced by many factors.
- One of the simplest things is to use the "system monitor" application and check which things consume the most hardware resources and compare them on another distribution. ( You can test netdata )
- I don't know which game the problem is and how big your drops FPS are.
- You have a lot of RAM, I don't think you need additional SWAP.
I assume that "SWAP" worked better a long time ago, but I may be wrong.
I can not debug and I don't have time.
Check if your computer uses SWAP. This may slow down your computer.
- It seems to me that the Ubuntu kernel is more optimized for servers, which means that it is not as efficient as it should be.
Because system working, but when I used Compiz on old computer I seen large drop in performance.
But we have no influence on the kernel.
And you know, it was a long time ago, I don't know what it's like today.
- You can disable unnecessary services from systemd and from the graphical environment.
But it is not simple and completely safe. Additionally, services sometimes may return after a system update.
- You can use lighter programs.

From own experience and what I see
- Set Nvidia to performance -> is enough for me.
I noticed that game updates can toggle this.
Probably launching the game with new improvements such as better lighting and graphics.
I do not know why. So if you notice a drop in FPS, check your Nvidia settings first.
- Cinnamon users from this forum also need turn off compositor.
- I don't need use gamemoderun , cpupower-gui, because I don't see difference in performance in game.
You can search benchmark if you need.

However, it's great that you solved your problem.

[Weelinux_49]

Thank you all so much!
I think things are working better.
I have done a lot of the changes what people have suggested, and these things so far seem to have worked best.

Install steam directly from steampowered (.deb).
Set Nvidia to performance
gamemoderun %command% (not 100% sure if this does anything.. but so far no issues).
turn off compositor

And last, change in game from "what my monitor use" to "full screen and refresh rate".

Will still experiment and see if anything else can be done to give me even better experience.

https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode

[Syrup7855]

Hi,
So I have been playing around and been testing some steps, and it works mostly ok.
When I say OK, it is performing OK, not great.

I was just looking into system info when the game was running and was wondering if it is capped at 4gb memoray usage?
Virtual m emory at 9gb?
See screenshots below.

[1000]

1. It's better to start a new topic in the future.
2. For me it uses 2.7GiB ( for you about 2.1 - 2.2 )
3. You have noticed that there are also other types of memory.
This is complicated for me.
Try search like that " linux guide virtual memory "
Example
- https://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/howto-li ... emory.html
- https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/virtual-m ... ng-system/
- https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/ ... cepts.html
- https://www.howtogeek.com/659529/how-to ... -terminal/