How to manage power usage on intel laptops that come with an NVIDIA GPU ,Full guide for new Ubuntu users

Publish Date: Aug 29 '24

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This is tested on " Intel 11th CPU with intel_pstate driver and an NVIDIA GPU with 535 proprietary driver", I don't know if this works the same way on AMD CPUs and GPUs

This guide is for normal users that want things just to work with least amount of headache possible

Understanding both normal system power modes & NVIDIA Prime profiles

Lets start with Power modes from gnome settings, each mode does exactly what it says ,that's it, NVIDIA Prime profiles also do what they say, but it only affects the state of the GPU, not the system, keep this in your mind.

To summarize :

System Power modes tries to apply a state for the whole system .

NVIDIA prime profiles applies a state only for the GPU's driver .

How to :

Use max power saving mode

disable the nvidia card , sudo prime-select intel , don't worry , the integrated GPU in your CPU will take control now .
Enable system power saver mode .
Reboot --> This is a vital step and can not be ignored

Use a balanced mode

Use Nvidia on-demand prime profile .
Use balanced power mode for the system.
Reboot --> This is a vital step and can not be ignored

Use max performance mode

Set Nvidia prime profile to performance mode .
Set performance mode for the system .
Reboot the laptop while it's plugged in the charger --> This is a vital step and can not be ignored(tested for games)
After reboot , change nvidia powerMizer to auto, let the driver do it's thing .

Notes :

You can change system modes without rebooting .
You should always reboot for nvidia prime profiles to be applied .
You can mix system power modes and prime profiles but don't make illogical mixes like system power saving mode while running performance mode on your nvidia card, this is not recommended .

This is all tested by trail and error and taking note, I hope I saved you time

See you later 👋

Comments 1 total

Ali Al KhawajaAug 29, 2024
This is what ChatGPT said about the above :
- This article provides a straightforward guide for managing power modes and NVIDIA Prime profiles on a Linux system with an Intel CPU and NVIDIA GPU. Here's a summary and some thoughts on its content:
Key Points of the Article:
1. System Power Modes vs. NVIDIA Prime Profiles:
  
  System Power Modes: These affect the entire system's power state, influencing how both the CPU and GPU behave.
  
  NVIDIA Prime Profiles: These specifically control the NVIDIA GPU's behavior, such as whether it's active, in on-demand mode, or running at full performance.
2. Power Modes:
  
  Power Saver: This mode reduces power consumption across the system. In this mode, the NVIDIA GPU is disabled, and the integrated Intel GPU takes over, saving battery life.
  
  Balanced: A middle ground where the system and GPU are optimized for everyday use, offering a balance between performance and power consumption.
  
  Performance: Maximizes performance by enabling the NVIDIA GPU in its highest power mode and setting the system to prioritize performance over power savings.
3. Practical Tips:
  
  Rebooting is necessary for the changes in NVIDIA Prime profiles to take effect.
  
  You can switch system power modes without rebooting, but it's crucial to avoid illogical combinations (e.g., running the system in power-saving mode while setting the NVIDIA GPU to maximum performance).
Thoughts on the Article:
- Clarity and Usability: The guide is clear and practical, making it accessible for regular users who want to optimize their system's power and performance balance without diving too deep into technical details.
- Specificity: The guide is tailored for systems with Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs, so users with AMD hardware may need to seek alternative guidance. However, the principles of balancing power and performance are broadly applicable.
- Importance of Rebooting: The emphasis on rebooting after changing NVIDIA Prime profiles is crucial, as many users might overlook this step and wonder why the changes haven't taken effect.
- Potential Risks: The warning against combining conflicting modes (e.g., power-saving with performance settings on the GPU) is a good reminder. Such combinations could lead to suboptimal performance or even system instability.
Suggestions for Improvement:
- AMD Considerations: It might be helpful to add a brief note on how these settings might differ for AMD CPUs and GPUs, or at least mention that users with such hardware should look for specific instructions.
- Visual Aids: The included images could be better annotated or explained to make it clear what they represent and how they relate to the guide.
Overall, this article is a practical resource for users looking to manage their power and performance settings effectively on a Linux system with Intel and NVIDIA hardware.

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Ali Al Khawaja @ali-alkhawaja