Messages in this thread | | | Date | Tue, 29 Jun 2004 09:21:32 +1000 | From | Peter Williams <> | Subject | Re: [PATCH] Staircase scheduler v7.4 |
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Nick Piggin wrote: > Felipe Alfaro Solana wrote: > >> I have tested 2.6.7-bk10 plus from_2.6.7_to_staircase_7.7 patch and, >> while it's definitively better than previous versions, it still feels a >> little jerky when moving windows in X11 wrt to -mm3. Renicing makes it a >> little bit smoother, but not as much as -mm3 without renicing. >> > > You know, if renicing X makes it smoother, then that is a good thing > IMO. X needs large amounts of CPU and low latency in order to get > good interactivity, which is something the scheduler shouldn't give > to a process unless it is told to.
I agree. Although the X servers CPU usage is usually relatively low (less than 5%) it does have periods when it can get quite high (greater than 80%) for reasonably long periods. This makes it difficult to come up with a set of rules for CPU allocation that makes sure the X server gets what it needs (when it needs it) without running the risk of giving other tasks with similar load patterns unnecessary and unintentional preferential treatment.
However, I think that there is still a need for automatic boosts for some tasks. For instance, programs such as xmms and other media streamers are ones whose performance could worsen as a result of the X server being reniced unless it is treated specially and the boost they are given needs to be enough to put them before the X server in priority order. But renicing X would enable a tightening of the rules that govern the automatic dispensing of preferential treatment to tasks that are perceived to be interactive which should be good for overall system performance.
Peter -- Peter Williams pwil3058@bigpond.net.au
"Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious." -- Ambrose Bierce
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