I see very similar issue, but with Core i7 Sandy Bridge, Intel HD Graphics 3000 built in, which makes me think - this is nothing to do with NVidia, but rather with Compiz. The desktop effects like moving between virtual desktops is buttery smooth and the suddenly it goes very jerky and slow. It stays this way, until I go into CCSM and disable unity plugin, then re-enable it back - it is buttery smooth again.
I think, this is related - https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity/+bug/888039 Some details about my setup: I'm using 2 displays of different sizes and resolutions: 1920x1200 + 1600x900. -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1032187 Title: Major OpenGL performance degradation over time To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/nvidia-drivers-ubuntu/+bug/1032187/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs