Hi! I am using Ubuntu 10.10 and have problem with proprietary nvidia driver for my GeForce GTS 250. I have issue with poor Compiz performance. And there is also open-source "noueau" driver.

1. Proprietary: I tried many versions but neither works fast on desktop. This means 30 FPS without heavy effects. Currently I am using version 270.18. Even normal desktop use feels bad (moving windows) In games (and 3D benchmark) it is really good! (Unigine Heaven works good!)
2. Open-source "nouveau": Very fast on desktop with heavy effects (blur, ...). I have 300 FPS and more, even in Expo mode. Games were good but not as good as prop. And driver causes xorg to crash even the latest (ppa:xorg-edgers/nouveau), so I switched back to proprietary.

I also have computer with Ubuntu 10.04, GeForce 8600GT and drivers around 185.x and Compiz works great there.

There is similar question Nvidia proprietary driver performance in 10.10

Which version of nvidia (prop) driver is fast in Compiz in Ubuntu 10.10? How do you install a specific version of nvidia driver? Is it the case that each newer driver works slower on compiz?