This article describes some steps that can be taken in the event you experience higher than expected CPU usage levels which are affecting the performance of SuperNova.
SuperNova’s Enterprise Configuration Tool can be used to adjust some variables in order to reduce the CPU usage of the software. This can be helpful in specific situations where a combination of factors may result in SuperNova using more CPU than is normally expected.
Run the Enterprise Configuration Tool
To do this, navigate to the SuperNova installation directory, which by default will be:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dolphin\Snova___\
Within here, run the file called “enterpriseconfig.exe”. The Enterprise Configuration Utility will open – navigate to the “Magnification” page. Here you will find a number of options, the ones which are of interest are:
Disable hardware acceleration for magnification
When checked, SuperNova will use CPU code to enlarge the screen, perform text smoothing, and colour changing. This may be faster on systems which have a virtualised or software emulated GPU, typically in a remote desktop environment. Try enabling this option and notice for any reduction in CPU usage.
Output to GDI Window when hardware acceleration is disabled.
If hardware acceleration is disabled it may be more efficient for Supernova to write directly to a GDI window, instead of copying frames to a swap chain. Citrix users should experiment with this setting to see if SuperNova performs better with it on or off.
Max Output Period
This is the time in milliseconds between each screen update. The larger this number, the slower the maximum speed of frame updates, but the less CPU/GPU is used. Experiment by increasing the values until you reach the optimum balance between CPU usage and screen refresh.
Max / Min Capture Periods
This is the time in milliseconds for the slowest capture frame rate. A value of 250ms would equal 4 frames per second. This means that SuperNova will capture the desktop and check for changes at-least 4 frames a second. A large max value will reduce CPU usage, but you may experience slower screen updates during idle periods, and the cursor may stop visibly flashing occasionally. Experiment by increasing the max and min values until you reach the optimum levels.
Speed reduction time
This is how long in milliseconds SuperNova will take to slow down from the min capture period to the max capture period. The lower the value, the less CPU Supernova will use. Try reducing this value until you reach an optimal level.
IMPORTANT: After making changes in Enterprise Configuration, you will need to restart SuperNova for the changes to take effect.
Example Values to Test Against
For a typical Citrix environment where you feel the CPU usage is too high, especially when not moving the magnification around the screen, start by values below and then increasing / decreasing them accordingly. Remember to restart SuperNova after making any of these changes.
- Disable hardware acceleration for magnification - ON
- Output to GDI Window when hardware acceleration is disabled - Try ON and OFF
- Max Output Period - 400
- Max Capture Periods - 800
- Min Capture Periods - 600
- Speed reduction time – 20