Laggy X Server [Lenovo Thinkpad T61, nVidia Quadro NVS 140M]

[Phused]

Hello guys, I'm running PCLOS 2011.09 on my Lenovo Thinkpad T61 and everything runs very smoothly except for the X server, which uses very high percentage of my CPU -> about 40-45% [thing I've never had on previous versions or Windows]
My video card is nVidia Quadro NVS 140M which I guess is powerful enough to handle the last KDE. And I have all the drivers installed.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[AS]

Which video driver/version are you currently using ? (nvidia, nv, nouveau) ?
Did you tried to disable 3D effects ?

[Phused]

Synaptic installed all video drivers you mentioned.
x11-driver-video-nouveau 0.0.16-0.20110613.5pclos2011
x11-driver-video-nv 2.1.18-5pclos2011
x11-driver-video-nvidia173 173.14.30-1pclos2011
x11-driver-video-nvidia-current 280.13-1pclos2011
And I see the Nvidia Display Setting center as well.

I couldn't find where to disable the 3d effects either, so I'd appreciate it if you help me.

Thanks a lot.

[AS]

open a terminal console and type the following command:

lspci -k

will provide info about the used kernel driver, something like:

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G86 [GeForce 8600M GS] (rev a1)
        Subsystem: Dell Device 0275
        Kernel driver in use: nvidia
        Kernel modules: nvidia-current, nvidiafb, nouveau

about 3D effects:

KDE Control Center -> Workspace appearance -> Desktop effects -> [ enable/disable desktop effects ]

[Phused]

Okay here it is:

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G84M [Quadro NVS 140M] (rev a1)
        Subsystem: Lenovo ThinkPad T61
        Kernel driver in use: nvidia
        Kernel modules: nvidiafb, nouveau, nvidia-current, nvidia173

3d effects are disabled.

One more thing, it's about the default resolution. Each time I restart my resolution resets to 1680x1050 (which is totally fine, it's just a bit strange because on Windows it was set to 1440x900).

Bottom line - it's still unsolved and slows my system down like hell.

EDIT: CPU usage now is even higher - about 80-85%

[AS]

Okay here it is:

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G84M [Quadro NVS 140M] (rev a1)
        Subsystem: Lenovo ThinkPad T61
        Kernel driver in use: nvidia
        Kernel modules: nvidiafb, nouveau, nvidia-current, nvidia173

3d effects are disabled.

One more thing, it's about the default resolution. Each time I restart my resolution resets to 1680x1050 (which is totally fine, it's a big strange because on Windows it was set to 1440x900).

1680x1050 should be the native resolution of your screen ...

Bottom line - it's still unsolved and slows my system down like hell.

EDIT: CPU usage now is even higher - about 80-85%

Are you sure that this percentage refer to Xserver only ?
While all applications are closed and you have only the desktop, press CTRL + ESC, then sort the output by CPU % clicking on the column header.

[Phused]

Thanks a lot for your help. Here's what I did and I guess it worked. I've removed the nvidia173 driver and things are working good right now.

Here's a screenshot of my system monitor atm


though X's cpu usage still varies between 15-30-35%

Is that normal actually?

[AS]

Thanks a lot for your help. Here's what I did and I guess it worked. I've removed the nvidia173 driver and things are working good right now.

What driver are you running right now ? nvidia-280.13 should be the better choice for you.

though X's cpu usage still varies between 15-30-35%

Is that normal actually?

Considering that there are a few applications opened (mainly firefox, skype, clementine ) probably yes, close all apps and check again. (on my system Xserver use 1% to 3% without running apps).

[demilord]

At me it uses also between 20 and 30 with the same software... I guess it is normal core 2 duo t6500

[Phused]

Indeed X uses between 1% and 3% without any specific programs running. My CPU is Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
I also replaced the Clementine audio player, which was running very slowly & laggy. Lets see how's gonna work now
Thank you all for the fast response.

[Phused]

Okay, few days after there's been a little improvement, but overall I still get this laggy feeling. Seems like nVidia Quadro NVS 140M is the real problem here..

[AS]

Okay, few days after there's been a little improvement, but overall I still get this laggy feeling.

Where come from this "laggy feeling" ? What applications are you running ? Flash video ? Video players ?

Seems like nVidia Quadro NVS 140M is the real problem here..

Why ?   

[Phused]

Okay, few days after there's been a little improvement, but overall I still get this laggy feeling.

Where come from this "laggy feeling" ? What applications are you running ? Flash video ? Video players ?

Seems like nVidia Quadro NVS 140M is the real problem here..

Why ?   

Well navigation through system menus seems to be fine, but switching between applications & browsing seems to be slow. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong about the nvidia video card... I don't see what else could cause it. Anyway thanks for your response