ObjectDock is too resource intensive?

My computer's really fast, why is it slowing down?

Ok so I downloaded the free version of objectdock and I love it, except it really rapes my system performance-wise.  I'm running an Athlon 64 3500+ Venice and 2gigs of ram and a Radeon X800XL but despite all this my cpu usage goes to 100% when I merely mouse over the dock.  I've set it to use up as little ram as possible and turning off things like the magnification on mouseover help a bit but I really think my computer is plenty fast to handle this relatively simple program.  I'm using Version 1.30 build 523.  Does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do to make ObjectDock less resource intensive?
4,073 views 9 replies
Reply #1 Top
I have the same build of ObjectDock, set with 1 dock similar to yours, and I show 1000-1500kb static, 2000-3500 mouseover. I don't know if the Athlon64 has anything to do with it as I'm running Intel. Maybe somebody with an Athlon will have better idea.
Reply #2 Top
No the amount of ram is not the problem, I've got plenty to spare, it just uses too much cpu.  Is there a more recent version I could try?
Reply #3 Top
Maybe buy the Plus version? If you like the program, it's definitely worth it.

As for your CPU usage issue, I don't know what might be causing it. I've got a similar system (Athlon 64 3400+, 1 GB Corsair RAM and an ATI X700 Pro 256) and don't have that issue.

The RAM footprint is a bit large (~15MB), but I'm assuming that's caused by several tabbed docks with a multitude of custom icons. CPU usage, however, never reaches above 5%, regardless of mouseover, zoom, etc.

I'm using ObjectDock 1.3 Plus, but I didn't have the issue when I was using the free version, either.
Reply #4 Top
If you have any docklets running, delete them and report back if the CPU usage has dropped.
Reply #5 Top
Nope, I never had any docklets running, but I did replace all the standard icons with better looking ones.
Reply #6 Top
If I understand what you're describing OD does the same thing to me and always has (I'm now on the current Plus version). I'm not sure the other folks quite understand what you're saying, as it is only seen if you have a cpu usage meter running while you pass the mouse over the untabbed docks and you actually watch the meter. The meter will show the boost while the mouse is passing over the untabbed dock, and the more you move the mouse around over the dock the more the cpu usage will stay high - i.e., if you pause over the dock while the dock is active the cpu usage will drop off.

Docklets haven't affected it for me one way or another either.

I'm running an Intel, I don't think it's processor brand related. HOWEVER, like you I'm running an ATI card, 9600XT, and it could be ATI related. I did see that NavyTweak is running an ATI as well, but again I'm not sure that he/she really understood what you're describing. I get the sense that people think you're saying that OD just sits there and cranks up your cpu. Anyway I am wondering if it might be ATI specific.

So I don't have a solution for you, I can only tell you I've always had the same issue and that getting the paid version didn't solve it for me. It doesn't really cause me much of a problem, but like you I'd rather it didn't do it. If I'm using another program that is a cpu hog and I don't want to interfere with it, I just stay out of the docks which really makes sense anyway since I don't want start up another program which would just get in the way as well.
Reply #7 Top
Yeah that's basically it, Dave. I have a samurize config running in my taskbar all the time which tells me my cpu and memory usage, among other statistics and when I mouse over the dock, the cpu meter shoots up to 100%. If there's no fix, then (unfortunately) i'll just stay away from objectdock. Thanks for your help.
Reply #8 Top
Well I wouldn't give up on it quite so quickly - just because I don't know of a way to fix it doesn't mean it can't be done. Somebody else around here might know of something.

It is a fun little program, and as long as I don't sit there and scroll the docks while the machine is trying to do something else intensive it's not really a problem.
Reply #9 Top
I thought I would see if I had the same problem, as my OD sometimes comes across a lil sluggish.

I am running a Dual Cose X2 4600+, 2 Gigs of Ram, and a ATI800XL card. My CPU usage does not exceed 50% when I scroll over the bars, but, it's a dual core, that may have something to do with it??