[Qt-interest] [MVC] Can signals connect / disconnect dynamically to reduce overhead on GUI thread?

[Ed Sutton]

I am seeking design advice.

My GUI is similar to the Windows File or Nautilus file explorer with a split windows interface; the left-pane selects the item to browse and the right-pane displays views of static and dynamic data.  There could be hundreds of network devices in the left-pane tree view.  My concern is the overhead of all these signal callbacks will overwhelm the GUI performance if connected to all of them.  Can signals be connected to and disconnected dynamically to reduce the callback overhead on the GUI thread?

Single Item Use Case:

1 - User selects item in left-pane
2 - User selects temperature graph tab in right pane
3 - GUI connects to appropriate signals
4 - Slots handle real-time chart updates
5 - User selects new item, GUI disconnects slots

Group Items Use Case:

1 - User selects the parent of a group of items in left-pane similar to a file folder
2 - User selects temperature list view in right pane
3 - GUI connects to appropriate signals
4 - Slots handle real-time updates of temperature in list view
5 - User selects new item, GUI disconnects slots

I am thinking I should use the Model View Controller (MVC) pattern.  I am just not sure if the Qt disconnect is meant to be used this way?

Thanks in advance for any direction,

-Ed