7.2. Reducing CPU Usage

7.2. Reducing CPU Usage
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This section describes preferences that you can set to reduce CPU usage by the GNOME desktop.

7.2.1. To Use Themes Which Require Less CPU Resources

Some window frame themes load image files to draw the window frame. Other themes use simpler techniques to draw the window frame.

The default theme is Crux. Crux loads image files, and can be slow on systems with limited CPU resources. To reduce CPU usage, use one of the following window frame themes:

Atlanta
Esco

The following window frame themes also use less CPU resources than Crux:

AgingGorilla
Bright
Metabox

	Note
	Metabox does not work well with inverse desktop themes such as HighContrastInverse. Use Atlanta with inverse desktop themes.

To change the window frame theme, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/theme theme_name

For example, to use Atlanta, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/theme Atlanta

Alternatively, users can choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Themes, then select the appropriate theme.

Tip

	Tip
You can use the `Metacity Theme Viewer` to measure the performance of a window frame theme, and to preview the theme. To start `Metacity Theme Viewer`, use the following command: `#` `metacity-theme-viewer theme_name` For example, to measure the performance of Atlanta and preview Atlanta, run the following command: `#` `metacity-theme-viewer Atlanta`

You can use the Metacity Theme Viewer to measure the performance of a window frame theme, and to preview the theme. To start Metacity Theme Viewer, use the following command:

# metacity-theme-viewer theme_name

For example, to measure the performance of Atlanta and preview Atlanta, run the following command:

# metacity-theme-viewer Atlanta

7.2.2. To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off Display of Icons in Menus

Some items in menus display an icon beside the item. To turn off this feature, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /desktop/gnome/interface/menus_have_icons false

Alternatively, users can choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Menus & Toolbars, then deselect the Show icons in menus option.

7.2.3. To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning On Wireframe Mode

The Metacity window manager has a wireframe mode for when you move and resize windows. When wireframe mode is turned on, only the outline of windows is displayed when you move and resize windows. The contents of the window do not need to be updated during the move or resize. The contents of the window are displayed when the move or resize is complete.

To turn on wireframe mode, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/metacity/general/wireframe_move_resize true

7.2.4. To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off the Splash Screen

By default, when users log in to the GNOME desktop, a splash screen is displayed. Icons are displayed on the splash screen while the user logs in. You can turn off the splash screen to reduce CPU usage during login.

To turn off the splash screen, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/gnome-session/options/show_splash_screen false

Alternatively, users can choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Advanced->Sessions, then deselect the Show splash screen on login option.

7.2.5. To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off Panel Animation

When users show or hide panels, the panels can show or hide in an animated style. To turn off panel animation, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/panel/global/enable_animations false

Alternatively, users can choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Advanced->Themes, then deselect the Animation option.

7.2.6. Improving File Manager Performance

The Nautilus file manager includes some features that you can modify to improve performance.

7.2.6.1. To Modify Performance Preferences

The file manager includes performance-related preferences. Each performance preference can take one of three values. The values are described in the following table:

Value	Description
`always`	Performs the action for both local files, and files on other file systems.
`local_only`	Performs the action for local files only. When you set a performance preference to `local_only`, the CPU usage is reduced.
`never`	Never performs the action. When you set a performance preference to never, the CPU usage and the network traffic are reduced.

The following table describes the performance preferences for the file manager. For the fastest performance, set the value of the preferences to never.

Preference	Description
`show_icon_text`	Specifies when to preview the content of text files in the icon that represents the file. To never preview the content of text files, run the following command: `#` `gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_icon_text never` Alternatively, users can perform the following steps: Choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Performance. Select an option for the Show Text in Icons preference.
`show_directory_item_counts`	Specifies when to show the number of items in folders. To never show the number of items in folders, run the following command: `#` `gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_directory_item_counts never` Alternatively, users can perform the following steps: Choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Performance. Select an option for the Show Number of Items in Folders preference.
`show_image_thumbnails`	Specifies when to show thumbnails of image files. To never show thumbnails, run the following command: `#` `gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_image_thumbnails never` Alternatively, users can perform the following steps: Choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Performance. Select an option for the Show Thumbnails for Image Files preference.
`preview_sound`	Specifies when to preview the content of sound files. To never preview the content of sound files, run the following command: `#` `gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/preview_sound never` Alternatively, users can perform the following steps: Choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Performance. Select an option for the Preview Sound Files preference.

7.2.6.2. To Turn Off the Side Pane, Toolbar, and Location Bar

The file manager includes preferences that enable you to turn off the side pane and the toolbar. To improve file manager performance, turn off the side pane and the toolbar.

To turn off the side pane, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_sidebar false

Alternatively, users can choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Windows, and then deselect the Display side pane option. The next time that users open a file manager window, the window does not display a side pane.

To turn off the toolbar, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_toolbar false

Alternatively, users can choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Windows, and then deselect the Display toolbar option. The next time that users open a file manager window, the window does not display a toolbar.

You can also turn off the location bar. Users can use the Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut to display a location bar when required.

To turn off the location bar, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_location_bar false

Alternatively, users can choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window, then choose Windows, and then deselect the Display location bar option. The next time that users open a file manager window, the window does not display a location bar.

7.2.6.3. To Turn Off the Desktop Background

The file manager contains a preference that enables users to use Nautilus to manage the desktop background. Users can disable the desktop background to improve performance. However, if users disable the desktop background, users cannot do the following:

Use the Desktop Background menu.
Use the file manager to change the pattern or color of the desktop background.
Use the Home object and the Trash object. The Home object and the Trash object are not displayed on the desktop.

To disable the desktop background, run the following command:

# gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false

Alternatively, users can choose Edit->Preferences from a file manager window. Users can then choose Desktop & Trash, and then deselect the Use Nautilus to draw the desktop option.

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