[Enhancement]: Make update frequency more consistent

[BayouGuru67]

What happened?

SUMMARY:

I have 4 Conkys: clock, system info, CPU utilization, and network monitoring. The network Conky becomes erratic (updates every 1–4 seconds) when running a Gnome app like Shortwave. Other Conkys and system performance are unaffected. No errors appear in the terminal or logs.

Older Conky versions caused stuttering across all Conkys and video playback, but with version 1.21.7, only the network Conky is affected, though more severely. My system is AMD-based (ASUS AMD 970 chipset, RX580 GPU), with the correct network adapter and lua bindings configured.

I’ve included my configs and would appreciate guidance on resolving this issue.

ORIGINAL

I have 4 conkys in total. A "clock" conky, a "system info" conky, a "cpu utilization" conky and a "network monitoring" conky.

The one conky currently affected by this issue is my network monitoring conky. When I run a Gnome app, specifically Shortwave internet radio tuner, the update frequency of my network conky goes from smoothly updating once per second to updating erratically, updating once up to every 4 seconds or so. Running the conky from the terminal does not report any errors and there are no errors reported in the logs that I can find. The other conkys are not affected.

Some historical perspective:
In previous versions of conky, it would have exhibited the same or similar "stuttering" effect in both the conky ("the conky" being any one of or all of the CPU, system info and/or network monitoring conkys) and on any video playback that was going on, such as YouTube in Brave or FireFox, until the conky was killed. In previous conky versions, my CPU Utilization conky, which is just 7 lua meters with the text showing the % usage and current frequency of each core and the averages at the bottom would be the first and most-often-affected, but it is actually behaving well so far with the current version of conky. Same is true for the System info conky, which shows a LOT of system info such as free/used RAM, drive space, temps, etc. It used to get affected in the same way and cause stuttering video playback issues, but now is behaving well.

In version 1.21.7, the conky going wonky does not seem to affect video playback smoothness any more, (or any other system/software smoothness/operation) which is wonderful, but the conky itself is even more unresponsive when this bug/event/issue occurs. It should be stated that my clock conky has been a good little conky this whole time, smoothly updating every second like, well, clockwork. It only shows the time, date and uptime and I have declared it as the system conky config in the cmake config options. The correct network adapter was also defined in the cmake config, FYI. The only other items modified from default cmake config are the checking of the ~4 lua bindings. I'm running an all-AMD system with an ASUS AMD 970 chipset and an AMD RX580 GPU.

I had quit running all but my clock conky for some time now because of the video playback stuttering issue where video playback would annoyingly stutter in time with the conky update frequency. I had switched to using Plasma monitor widgets, which is so clunky and limited as to just barely be annoyingly functional, sort of. But now there is hope for me that it is no longer an issue with this latest version of conky, and I have progressed from having 3 conkys that are acting up and therefore unusable, to only one! I am calling that positive progress, and I am very grateful to the humble programmer(s) for that! I am so very happy to have my system info and CPU conkys back in operation! Thank you! I wish us all luck in solving the riddle of my network conky with a case of the pregnant-pauses/stutters/hitches! I've done so many web searches for permutations of this issue description in the last few months I'm now just at a loss for ideas on how to proceed. In the code box below, I am posting the current problem config first, with the others following it. I put 3 blank lines in between each of them and each config starts with a comment section at the top. I look forward to your feedback!

Version

1.21.7

Which OS/distro are you seeing the problem on?

Ubuntu

Conky config

--
--  BayouGuru's Right Conky!
--  version:  2024-08-17.0723
--
conky.config = {
display = ":0.0",
update_interval = 1,
net_avg_samples = 1,
total_run_times = 0,
alignment = "top_right",
gap_x = 2,
gap_y = 2,
minimum_width = 300,
maximum_width = 300,
minimum_height = 1064,
own_window = true,
own_window_title = "conky-rightconky",
own_window_type = "normal",
own_window_transparent = false,
own_window_argb_visual = true,
own_window_argb_value = 180,
double_buffer = true,
own_window_hints = "undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar",
show_graph_scale = false,
no_buffers = false,
pad_percents = 1,
use_xft = true,
xftalpha = 0.8,
font = "Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11",
text_buffer_size = 256,
short_units = true,
temperature_unit = "fahrenheit",
forced_redraw = false,
draw_graph_borders = false,
draw_outline = true,
draw_shades = true,
draw_borders = true,
border_inner_margin = 1,
border_outer_margin = 0,
border_width = 3,
own_window_colour = "080721",
default_outline_color = "000000",
default_color = "000415",
default_shade_color = "080721",
color0 = '080721',                                                -- Dark Blue - Background
color1 = 'lightblue',                                             -- Light Blue - Labels
color2 = 'orange',                                                -- Orange - Monitored Item (Frequently Updates)
color3 = 'goldenrod1',                                            -- GoldenRod - Monitored Item 2
color4 = 'white',                                                 -- White - Headers
color5 = '008989',                                                -- Blue - ANSI Header Art
color6 = '2723a6',                                                -- Another Blue - Bar Fill
color7 = 'white',                                                 -- White - Drive Labels
color8 = 'SteelBlue',                                             -- SteelBlue - ANSI Forks
-- color9 = 'unused',                                             -- Available
template0 = '${goto 2}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=12}',  -- Header Text
template1 = '${color1}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11}',  -- Label Text
template2 = '${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11}',           -- Data Text
-- template3 = 'unused',                                          -- Available
-- template4 = 'unused',                                          -- Available
template5 = '${voffset -3}${font UbuntuCondensed:size=10}',           -- Connection Hostnames
template6 = '${color8}${font Arial:bold:size=11}',                -- ANSI
template7 = '${color8}${font Arial:bold:size=11}',                -- ANSI forks
template8 = '${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10}',           -- WAN Hostname
lua_load = '/home/bayouguru/.conky/updownbars.lua',
lua_draw_hook_post = 'conky_widgets'
}
conky.text = [[${image ~/.conky/images/network.png -p 3,266 -s 38x38}\
${if_existing /sys/class/net/enp4s0/operstate down}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 1,285 -s 36x10}${voffset 450}${alignc}${color red}${blink NO CONNECTION!}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 3,285 -s 36x10}\
${color4}${template0}Processes ${color8}${voffset -2}${hr 1}
${template7}└${color4}${template2}Top 5 - RAM Usage ${color8}${voffset -2}${hr 1}
${voffset -2}${color1}${template8} Name${goto 158}PID${goto 200}RAM-%${goto 252}RAM-Mb
${voffset -2}${color2}${template8} ${top_mem name 1}${offset -12}${top_mem pid 1}${goto 184}${top_mem mem 1}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top_mem mem_res 1}b
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top_mem name 2}${offset -12}${top_mem pid 2}${goto 184}${top_mem mem 2}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top_mem mem_res 2}b
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top_mem name 3}${offset -12}${top_mem pid 3}${goto 184}${top_mem mem 3}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top_mem mem_res 3}b
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top_mem name 4}${offset -12}${top_mem pid 4}${goto 184}${top_mem mem 4}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top_mem mem_res 4}b
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top_mem name 5}${offset -12}${top_mem pid 5}${goto 184}${top_mem mem 5}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top_mem mem_res 5}b
${template7}└${color4}${template2}Top 5 - CPU Usage ${color8}${voffset -2}${hr 1}
${voffset -2}${color1}${template8} Name${goto 158}PID${goto 208}CPU${goto 270}RAM
${voffset -2}${color2}${template8} ${top name 1}${offset -12}${top pid 1}${goto 184}${top cpu 1}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top mem 1}${color1}%
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top name 2}${offset -12}${top pid 2}${goto 184}${top cpu 2}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top mem 2}${color1}%
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top name 3}${offset -12}${top pid 3}${goto 184}${top cpu 3}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top mem 3}${color1}%
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top name 4}${offset -12}${top pid 4}${goto 184}${top cpu 4}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top mem 4}${color1}%
${voffset -2}${color2} ${top name 5}${offset -12}${top pid 5}${goto 184}${top cpu 5}${color1}%${color2}${alignr 4}${top mem 5}${color1}%
${color4}${template0}Network ${color8}${voffset -2}${hr 1}
${voffset -3}${goto 44}${template7}├${template1} LAN v4 IP${color3}${alignr 4}${template2}${addr enp4s0}
${voffset -3}${goto 44}${template7}├${template1} WAN v4 IP${color3}${alignr 4}${template2}${execi 180 curl ifconfig.me}
${voffset -3}${goto 44}${template7}├${template1} MAC${color3}${alignr 3}${template2}${execi 360 ip link show enp4s0 | awk '/ether/ {print $2}'}
${voffset -2}${goto 4}${template7}┌───${goto 44}┴${voffset -2}${template1} Hostname${template2}${color3}${alignr 4}${nodename_short}
${voffset -2}${template7}├${color1}▲${color2}${template2}${upspeed enp4s0}
${voffset -3}${template7}├${color1}▼${color2}${template2}${downspeed enp4s0}
${voffset -2}${color8}${template7}├ ${color4}${template2}Connections${color8}${goto 164}${color yellow}${template2}In ${template2}${color2}${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}${color5}${alignr 4}${voffset -1}Out ${template2}${color2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=1}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 0}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 0}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=1}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 0}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=2}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 1}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 1}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=2}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 1}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=3}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 2}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 2}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=3}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 2}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=4}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 3}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 3}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=4}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 3}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=5}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 4}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 4}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=5}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 4}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=6}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color yellow}${template2}In${template7} ◄${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rip 5}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rservice 5}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}>=6}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 1 32768 rhost 5}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=1}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 0}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 0}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=1}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 0}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=2}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 1}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 1}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=2}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 1}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=3}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 2}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 2}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=3}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 2}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=4}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 3}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 3}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=4}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 3}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=5}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 4}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 4}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=5}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 4}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=6}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 5}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 5}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=6}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 5}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=7}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 6}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 6}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=7}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 6}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=8}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 7}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 7}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=8}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 7}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=9}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 8}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 8}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=9}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 8}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=10}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 9}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 9}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=10}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 9}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=11}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 10}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 10}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=11}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 10}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=12}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 11}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 11}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=12}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 11}
${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=5}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=13}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 12}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 12}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=5}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=13}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 12}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=4}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=14}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 13}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 13}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=4}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=14}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 13}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=3}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=15}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 14}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 14}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=3}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=15}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 14}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=2}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=16}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 15}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 15}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=2}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=16}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 15}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=1}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=17}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 16}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 16}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}<=1}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=17}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 16}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}==0}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=18}${goto 4}${color8}${voffset -2}${template7}├${color5}${template2}Out${template7} ►${color2} ${template2}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rip 17}${alignr 4}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rservice 17}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}\
${if_match ${tcp_portmon 1 32767 count}==0}${if_match ${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 count}>=18}${voffset -3}${goto 4}${template7}└ ${color3}${template5}${tcp_portmon 32768 61000 rhost 17}
${else}${endif}${else}${endif}${endif}${font}\
]]



--
--  BayouGuru's New Modular System Conky Config - Clock Section - Top!
--  version:  2024-07-20.0346
--
conky.config = {
-- display = ":0.0",
update_interval = 1,
net_avg_samples = 1,
cpu_avg_samples = 1,
total_run_times = 0,
alignment = "top_left",
gap_x = 1,
gap_y = 0,
minimum_width = 260,
maximum_width = 260,
own_window = true,
own_window_type = "normal",
own_window_hints = "undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager",
own_window_transparent = false,
own_window_argb_visual = true,
own_window_argb_value = 180,
show_graph_scale = false,
double_buffer = true,
text_buffer_size = 256,
no_buffers = false,
use_xft = true,
font = "Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11",
short_units = true,
temperature_unit = "fahrenheit",
forced_redraw = false,
draw_graph_borders = false,
draw_outline = true,
draw_shades = true,
draw_borders = true,
border_inner_margin = 2,
border_outer_margin = 1,
border_width = 3,
own_window_colour = "080721",
default_outline_color = "000000",
default_color = "000415",
default_shade_color = "080721",
color0 = '080721',                                                                      -- Dark Blue - Background
color1 = 'orange',                                                                      -- Orange - Monitored Item (Frequently Updates)
color2 = 'goldenrod',                                                                   -- GoldenRod - Monitored Item (Infrequent/Versions)
template0 = '${color2}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11}${alignc}',               -- Date
template1 = '${color1}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=34}${alignc}',               -- Clock
}
conky.text = [[${template1}${time %I:%M:%S}${font}
${template0}${time %A %B %e}
${alignc}Uptime: ${color1}${uptime}${font}${voffset -4}]]

--
--  BayouGuru's New Modular System Conky Config - CPU Section!
--  version:  2024-07-20.0346
--
conky.config = {
-- display = ":0.0",
update_interval = 1,
net_avg_samples = 1,
cpu_avg_samples = 1,
total_run_times = 0,
alignment = "top_left",
gap_x = 3,
gap_y = 103,
minimum_width = 260,
maximum_width = 260,
own_window = true,
own_window_type = "normal",
own_window_hints = "undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager",
own_window_transparent = false,
own_window_argb_visual = true,
own_window_argb_value = 180,
show_graph_scale = false,
double_buffer = true,
text_buffer_size = 256,
no_buffers = false,
use_xft = true,
font = "Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11",
short_units = true,
temperature_unit = "fahrenheit",
forced_redraw = false,
draw_graph_borders = false,
draw_outline = false,
draw_shades = true,
draw_borders = true,
border_inner_margin = 2,
border_outer_margin = 1,
border_width = 3,
own_window_colour = "080721",
default_outline_color = "000000",
default_color = "000415",
default_shade_color = "080721",
color0 = '080721',                                                                     -- Dark Blue - Background
color1 = 'lightblue',                                                                -- Light Blue - Labels
color2 = 'orange',                                                                   -- Orange - Monitored Item (Frequently Updates)
color3 = 'goldenrod1',                                                                 -- GoldenRod - Monitored Item (Infrequent/Versions)
color4 = 'white',                                                                    -- White - Headers
color5 = 'SteelBlue',                                                                -- Blue - ANSI Header Art
color6 = 'green3',                                                                     -- ?
color7 = 'white',                                                                    -- White - Drive Labels
color8 = 'green3',                                                                     -- Light Green - Bar Green
color9 = 'SteelBlue',                                                                -- Steel Blue - Bar Scales
template0 = '${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=11}',                                -- 
template1 = '${voffset 0}${color1}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10}',           -- 
lua_load = '/home/bayouguru/.conky/conkycpubars.lua',
lua_draw_hook_post = 'conky_widgets'
}
conky.text = [[${color4}${template0}${execi 86400 cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'model name' | sed -e 's/model name.*: //' | sed -e 's/Processor//'  | sed -e 's/(tm)/™/' | sed -e 's/(R)//' | sed -e 's/CPU//' | sed -e 's/@/:/' | sed -e 's/\ \ //' | sed -e 's/[0-9].[0-9][0-9]GHz//'|uniq}${font}${color5}${voffset -2}${hr 1}
${voffset 16}${color2}${template0}${cpu cpu1}${template1}%${goto 44}@${color2}${template0}${goto 64}${freq 1}${template1}Mhz${goto 134}${color2}${template0}${voffset -2}${cpu cpu2}${template1}%${goto 178}@${color2}${template0}${alignr}${freq 2}${template1}Mhz
${voffset 16}${color2}${template0}${cpu cpu3}${template1}%${goto 44}@${color2}${template0}${goto 64}${freq 3}${template1}Mhz${goto 134}${color2}${template0}${voffset -2}${cpu cpu4}${template1}%${goto 178}@${color2}${template0}${alignr}${freq 4}${template1}Mhz
${voffset 16}${color2}${template0}${cpu cpu5}${template1}%${goto 44}@${color2}${template0}${goto 64}${freq 5}${template1}Mhz${goto 134}${color2}${template0}${voffset -2}${cpu cpu6}${template1}%${goto 178}@${color2}${template0}${alignr}${freq 6}${template1}Mhz
${voffset 16}${template1}Average ${color2}${template0}${goto 120}${cpu cpu0}${template1}%${color2}${template0}${alignr}${freq 0}${template1}Mhz
${voffset 5}${font}]]



--
--  BayouGuru's New Modular Conky Config - System Info Section!
--  version:  2024-08-13.1016
--
conky.config = {
-- display = ":0.0",
update_interval = 1,
net_avg_samples = 1,
cpu_avg_samples = 1,
total_run_times = 0,
alignment = "top_left",
gap_x = 3,
gap_y = 282,
minimum_width = 260,
maximum_width = 260,
own_window = true,
own_window_type = "normal",
own_window_hints = "undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager",
own_window_transparent = false,
own_window_argb_visual = true,
own_window_argb_value = 180,
show_graph_scale = false,
double_buffer = true,
text_buffer_size = 256,
no_buffers = false,
use_xft = true,
font = "Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10",
short_units = true,
temperature_unit = "fahrenheit",
forced_redraw = false,
draw_graph_borders = false,
draw_outline = true,
draw_shades = true,
draw_borders = true,
border_inner_margin = 2,
border_outer_margin = 1,
border_width = 3,
own_window_colour = "080721",
default_outline_color = "000000",
default_color = "000415",
default_shade_color = "080721",
color0 = '080721',                                                                     -- Dark Blue - Background
color1 = 'lightblue',                                                                -- Light Blue - Labels
color2 = 'orange',                                                                   -- Orange - Monitored Item (Frequently Updates)
color3 = 'goldenrod1',                                                                 -- GoldenRod - Monitored Item (Infrequent/Versions)
color4 = 'white',                                                                    -- White - Headers
color5 = 'SteelBlue',                                                                -- Blue - ANSI Header Art
color6 = 'green3',                                                                     -- ?
color7 = 'white',                                                                    -- White - Drive Labels
color8 = 'green3',                                                                     -- Light Green - Bar Green
color9 = 'SteelBlue',                                                                -- Steel Blue - Bar Scales
template0 = '${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10}',                                -- 
template1 = '${color1}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10}',                       -- 
template2 = '${color9}${font Arial:size=10}',                                          -- Bar Scales 
template3 = '${color4}${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=8}',
template4 = '${voffset -2}${goto 41}${color5}${font Arial:size=10}',                                -- ANSI Forks
template7 = '${color5}${font Arial:size=10}',                                          -- MORE ANSI Forks (w/o positioning}
template9 = '${font Larabiefont-Regular:bold:size=10}',                                -- Medium text to fit.
lua_load = '/home/bayouguru/.conky/sysbars.lua',
lua_draw_hook_post = 'conky_widgets'
}
conky.text = [[
${image ~/.conky/images/kubuntu-logo-icon.png -p 1,32 -s 34x34}\
${image ~/.conky/images/002-warm.png -p 1,132 -s 42x50 }\
${image ~/.conky/images/005-fan.png -p 1,193 -s 35x35}\
${image ~/.conky/images/004-ram.png -p 1,260 -s 42x80}\
${image ~/.conky/images/003-hard-drive.png -p 1,378 -s 38x38}\
${image ~/.conky/images/003-hard-drive.png -p 1,440 -s 38x38}\
${image ~/.conky/images/003-hard-drive.png -p 1,494 -s 38x38}\
${image ~/.conky/images/006-penguin.png -p 1,574 -s 40x50}\
${if_match "${key_caps_lock}"=="Off"}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 128,30 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 128,30 -s 17x17}${endif}${if_match "${key_num_lock}"=="On"}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 239,30 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 239,30 -s 17x17}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 2 temp 1} <= 95 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 170,126 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 2 temp 1} >= 128 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 170,126 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 170,126 -s 17x17}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 1 temp 1} <= 115 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 170,141 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 1 temp 1} >= 135 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 170,141 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 170,141 -s 17x17}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 1 temp 2} <= 110 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 170,156 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 1 temp 2} >= 130 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 170,156 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 170,156 -s 17x17}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 0 temp 1} <= 110 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 170,171 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 0 temp 1} >= 130 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 170,171 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 170,171 -s 17x17}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 3 temp 1} <= 120 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 140,382 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 3 temp 1} >= 130 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 140,382 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 140,382 -s 11x11}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${hwmon 4 temp 1} <= 120 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 140,442 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${hwmon 4 temp 1} >= 130 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 140,442 -s 17x17}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 140,442 -s 17x17}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${memperc} <= 80 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 198,260 -s 18x18}${else}${if_match ${memperc} >= 90 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 198,260 -s 18x18}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 198,260 -s 18x18}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${fs_used_perc /} <= 80 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 11,383 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 198,397 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${fs_used_perc /} >= 90 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 11,383 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 198,397 -s 18x18}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 11,383 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 198,397 -s 18x18}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${fs_used_perc /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb/} <= 80 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 11,445 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 198,457 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${fs_used_perc /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb/} >= 90 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 11,445 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 198,457 -s 18x18}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 11,445 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 198,457 -s 18x18}${endif}${endif}\
${if_match ${swapperc} <= 80 }${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 11,499 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/green.png -p 103,500 -s 17x17}${else}${if_match ${swapperc} >= 90 }${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 11,499 -s 17x17}${image ~/.conky/images/red.png -p 103,500 -s 18x18}${else}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 11,499 -s 18x18}${image ~/.conky/images/yellow.png -p 103,500 -s 18x18}${endif}${endif}\
${color4}${template0}System${font} ${color5}${hr 1}
${template4}├${template1} Uptime${color2}${alignr 3}${template0}${uptime}
${template4}├${template1} CapsLock ( )${alignr}NumLock ( )
${template4}├${template1} Updates${color2}${template0}  ${execi 3600 aptitude search "~U" | wc -l | tail}${goto 176}${template1}USB ${alignr}${color2}${template0}${execpi 10 lsusb | grep -iv 'hub' | cut --fields=7- --delimiter=' ' | wc -l}
${template4}├${template1} Processes${template7} ┬${template1} Total${color2}${template0}${alignr}${processes}
${color5}${font Arial:size=10}${goto 14}┌──┘${goto 134}└${template1} Active${color2}${template0}${alignr 3} ${running_processes}${font}
${color5}${font Arial:size=10}${goto 14}└${template1} Load Averages${template7}  ┬${template1} 1'${color2}${template0}${alignr}${loadavg 1}
${color2}${template0}${goto 48}${loadavg 2}  ${template1}5' ${template4}${goto 143}┴${template1} 15'${color2}${template0}${alignr}${loadavg 3}
${color1}${template4}┌${template1} CPU Core${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 2 temp 1}${template1}°F
${template4}├${template1} CPU Socket${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 1 temp 1}${template1}°F
${template4}├${template1} Mainboard${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 1 temp 2}${template1}°F
${template4}└${template1} GPU Edge${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 0 temp 1}${template1}°F
${template4}┌${template1} CPU${color2}${template0}${alignr 8}${hwmon 1 fan 1}${template1} rpm${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 1 fan 1 0.0667 0,0}${template1}%
${template4}├${template1} GPU${color2}${template0}${alignr 8}${hwmon 0 fan 1}${template1} rpm${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 0 fan 1 0.0270270 0,0}${template1}%
${template4}└${template1} Case${color2}${template0}${alignr 8}${hwmon 1 fan 3}${template1} rpm${color2}${template0}${alignr}${hwmon 1 fan 3 0.0667 0,0}${template1}%
${color4}${template0}${memmax}b RAM${font} ${color5}${hr 1}
${template4}├
${template4}├${template1} Used${color2}${template0}${goto 120}${mem}b${template0}${color2}${alignr}${memperc}${template1}%
${template4}├${template1} Free ${template8}(+ easily)${color2}${template0}${alignr}${memeasyfree}b
${template4}├${template1} Free physical${color2}${template0}${alignr}${memfree}b
${template4}├${template1} Cached${color2}${alignr}${template0}${cached}b
${template4}├${template1} Buffered${color2}${alignr}${template0}${buffers}b
${template4}└${template1} Threads${color2}${template0}${goto 160}${running_threads}${template1}${goto 200}of${color2}${template0}${alignr}${threads}
${color4}${template0}Storage${font} ${color5}${hr 1}
${template4}├${color7}${template0}${goto 58}/dev/sda${font}${goto 164}${color1}Size${color2}${alignr}${template0}${fs_size /}b
${template4}├${goto 58}${template1}Temp${color2}${template0}${goto 100}${hwmon 3 temp 1}${template1}°F${goto 164}${color1}Free${color2}${alignr}${template0}${fs_free /}b
${template4}├${goto 58}${template1}Used${template9}${color2}${goto 120}${fs_used /}b${template9}${color2}${alignr 4}${fs_used_perc /}${template1}%
${template4}└${font}
${template4}┌${color7}${template0}${goto 58}/dev/sdb${font}${goto 164}${color1}Size${color2}${template0}${alignr}${fs_size /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb/}b
${template4}├${goto 58}${template1}Temp${color2}${goto 100}${template0}${hwmon 4 temp 1}${template1}°F${goto 164}${color1}Free${color2}${alignr}${template0}${fs_free /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb}b
${template4}├${goto 58}${template1}Used${color2}${template9}${goto 120}${fs_used /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb/}b${color2}${template9}${alignr}${fs_used_perc /home/bayouguru/N-1Tb/}${template1}%
${template4}└
${template4}┌${color7}${template0}${goto 58}/dev/sdc2 ${color1}${alignr}${template3}24Gb Swap
${template4}├${color2}${goto 55}${template9}${swap}b${color2}${template9}${goto 130}${swapperc}${template1}%${goto 166}Free${color2}${alignr}${template9}${swapfree}b
${template4}└${font}
${color4}${template0}Versions${font}${color5} ${hr 1}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} OS${template9}${color3}${alignr}Kubuntu ${execi 43200 lsb_release -d | awk '{print $3,$4}'}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} Plasma${template9}${color3}${alignr}${execi 43200 plasmashell --version | sed 's/\plasmashell //g'}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} Kernel${template9}${color3}${alignr}${execi 43200 uname -r | sed -e 's/-generic//'}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} X.org${template9}${color3}${alignr}${execi 43200 xdpyinfo | grep version: | cut -d' ' -f3}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} GPU${template9}${color3}${alignr}${execi 43200 glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version" |cut -c52-70}
${color5}${template4}├${template1} PipeWire${template9}${color3}${alignr}${execi 43200 pipewire --version | awk 'NR==2{print $NF}'}
${color5}${template4}└${template1} Conky${template9}${color3}${alignr}${conky_version}
${voffset -80}\
]]

[BayouGuru67]

OS is Kubuntu 22.04.5-LTS w. Plasma 5.27.11, Kernel 6.8.0-47, X.org 1.21.1.4, GPU driver Mesa 23.2.1-kubuntu, and pipewire 1.07.

[Caellian]

Would be affected by: #1879.
Related to issue: #1001.

This is caused because variable evaluation is tied to update loop. If evaluating a script takes a very long time, it can mess with update timing.

A random cheap fix idea is to use some existing scheduler for updating the window.

But in any case, you are limited by your hardware. Even if the code was perfect (no code is), and you ran conky on a very low spec machine, it wouldn't be able to layout and draw every time it should. #1879 uses async for networking to avoid exactly this issue, but async is very annoying in C++, esp. in combination with templates and debugging, so I'm not too enthusiastic about writing it and can't tell when it will be done.

But yeah, having the main loop run separately from everything and then skip updates would fix some issues. Parallelization is impossible without a good layout engine which doesn't exist atm. So in this respect, there's more work left to do than is completed.

Reading material:

• Fix Your Timestep!

[BayouGuru67]

SUMMARY:
I discovered the issue was related to all my .lua files using the same hook/function name (conky_widgets). Renaming each function to make it unique to its Conky config fixed the irregular update frequency issue initially.

For a while, all 4 Conkys ran smoothly, but after a few hours, inconsistencies returned. Closing my system info and CPU Conkys left the network and clock Conkys running smoothly overnight. But video playback began hitching again, which stopped only after closing the network Conky. I’ve reverted to Plasma widgets for now until I find another solution or upgrade.

ORIGINAL

EDITED MAJOR UPDATE!: In a moment of inspiration, I decided to once again try to investigate the timing issues I was having/reporting, starting with the knowledge that the issues have to be somehow related to my incorporation of Lua into the conkys. To that end, I tried submitting my configs and an issue description into a number of AI programming bots, and the general consensus was that my problem was related to the fact that all of the .lua files were using the same hook/function name of conky_widgets. By changing the name of each function to make it specific to the config file it is called from and also being uniquely identified from all of the others seems to have completely fixed the major issue I was having! That issue, once again, was an irregular, irritatingly-inconsistent conky update frequency. As of now, I have had all 4 of my conkys up and running for more than a half hour and no irregularities have been noted yet! This is MAJOR POSITIVE PROGRESS! Yay!

Moral of the story: If you are going to use Lua for meters and such in your conkys, and you have more than one conky and/or set of Lua includes, make sure to use a different hook/function name for each one, otherwise you may experience unusual and irritating timing issues with the conky update frequency! This will not completely solve the problem over time, but it does greatly improve Lua/conky performance, regardless.

P.S.: Okay, after a couple of hours, the inconsistency in update frequency started to creep in again. I closed the biggest/system info conky and the cpu bars conky, leaving only my network conky, (which has a couple of Lua bars), and my clock conky (which only has the clock and uptime, no Lua) running smoothly when I went to bed. I got up this morning, went to watch F1 Practice 3, and the video was hitching on the second every second. Highly annoying! I closed the network monitor conky (with the Lua bars), and the hitching stopped and has not returned in the hour that has passed since then, so that's where I am. Went back to using plasma widgets for the time being until inspiration strikes again and I think of something new to try, or do a major upgrade, etc...

[Caellian]

I summarized your issue and comment so they're a bit less verbose (but kept the original). This is to make issue a bit easier/quicker to comprehend.

[BayouGuru67]

Further Update! Problem solved?! Maybe?! Just to restate: The original problem was an inconsistent conky update frequency issue that started cropping up after I had integrated some very cool looking Lua LED bars into my conkys. The intermittent update frequency would also cause stuttering or hitching of video playback, which was my primary complaint. I am still using the X video subsystem on the LTS version of Kubuntu.

Since the previous update of changing the function names between the different conkys/luas improved things but did not totally solve the issue, I decided to try a few of the newer AI Lua code assistants and see if they could improve the code. They very much did! I have now had all 4 of my conkys running since yesterday with no problems, even after watching numerous YouTube and Plex videos, running Calf Jack host and a quartet of plugins, qpwgraph, Thunderbird email, and more, all on hardware that has a current uptime of 9 days! Yay!

The code was changed pretty significantly by the AI Assistants to make it more efficient and to make proper use of the caching capabilities that are built into Conky/Lua. Thus far, all of the conkys are running perfectly smoothly and video playback has been fine for more than a dozen hours now! It seems that we MIGHT have solved the issues! Only the passage of a couple more days' time will tell, but so far, so good! :)

I have uploaded the latest, updated lua files to my GitHub Repo, Google Drive & Dropbox, and will mark this issue closed if things continue to work as they are, without problems.

[BayouGuru67]

Okay, the revised .lua files now have more than 24 hours of trouble-free use! The update frequencies are still smooth and it seems RAM usage is also improved. Apparently the original version of the Lua bars also had some memory issues due to the inefficient coding for my particular application. I'm very happy with my conkys again and am marking this issue closed.

Words of advice: As much as I am not a fan of Google or proprietary software, I have to admit that when properly instructed, AI is quite good for troubleshooting and optimizing code, especially if you're like me, a VERY novice-level programmer.