LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Hardware
User Name
Password
Linux - Hardware This forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux?

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 08-21-2017, 09:02 AM   #1
SuperPrower
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Aug 2017
Posts: 1

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Does blacklisting discrete GPU driver completely disables discrete GPU, or using acpi_call is better decision?


When it comes to laptops with hybrid graphics, discrete nvidia cards always created problems to everyone who used them in my surrounding. I have laptop which runs Debian 9 with intel and nvidia graphics, and intel is good enough for my daily tasks, so I would like to disable nvidia completely, so it wouldn't create heat or waste battery.

I found two possible solutions: first is to blacklist driver and/or turn it off in kernel parameters or something (like said here), or I can use acpi_call to disable it's data bus, I think? (check 'Fully Power Down Discrete GPU' article here).

So, which one of them still relevant? Which one of them will work better, and give me more battery time?

Thanks in advance.
 
Old 08-21-2017, 03:15 PM   #2
jefro
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,921

Rep: Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618
Hello and welcome to LQ.

Not sure how much energy either would save just to start off.

Anyway, I guess you'd have to do some tests to prove it. Every laptop is unique. Enabling a driver for a device may not cause much or any load on power I'd think(guess). But it could be that there is a sense line that would energize more if it had some setting affected by driver. Might have to really get into nuts and bolts of driver. Blacklisting could do the opposite by not letting acpi work.

It may be that if you could disable power to the device by some acpi command then that would be more likely to save power. This assumes a LOT. Not sure how much of the device could be controlled by OS via acpi commands.

Testing on your system may be only way to tell. You'd have to have a very accurate watt meter to decide.

Last edited by jefro; 08-21-2017 at 03:18 PM.
 
Old 08-21-2017, 08:32 PM   #3
Ztcoracat
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Distribution: Slackware, MX 18
Posts: 9,484
Blog Entries: 15

Rep: Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176Reputation: 1176
If you blacklist nVidia and you don't like the results you can always undue what you have done.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/7416...raphics-laptop
https://askubuntu.com/questions/7650...ed-nvidia-card
http://pranavk.github.io/linux/disab...-card-in-linux

Sometimes messing around with the acpi stuff like jefro said can cause it not to work or worse the wrong driver could end up loading first causing the device not to work at all.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how can I setup the amd GPU as a default gpu instead of intel graphics? divinefishersmith Linux - Newbie 33 08-22-2015 06:03 PM
Tried to swap GPU in HP workstation. GPU not working good. LexMK Linux - Hardware 1 06-21-2013 06:59 PM
[SOLVED] Switching from integrated graphics to discrete VGA. earthw0rmjim Linux - Hardware 5 01-01-2013 06:22 AM
LXer: How to fix your discrete GPU temperatures LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 08-01-2012 01:41 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Hardware

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:06 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration