Battery life Windows 10 vs Suse 15.

TYTA · 02-02-2019, 09:34 PM

Hi all,

I got Toshiba z30t-A and the laptop has pretty good battery life. I would get 5:30-6 hours nonstop YouTube playback in Windows 10.

I was excited to use Suse 15 on it as I thought battery life would go even further. Upon a closer examination, it looks like the default power management isn't as good. I haven't run a few tests to test it out fully but it seems like battery drains faster under Suse 15.

Just wondering what other people's experience is like with battery life Windows 10 vs Linux. Perhaps someone can offer advice on how I can improve battery life or maybe settings I can try on Suse 15?

Many thanks,

Alex

TYTA · 02-02-2019, 10:12 PM

I can hear fan is going most of the time where in Windows 10 it would only turn on once in a while. I have the oputput from sudo tlp-stat
:

Quote:

--- TLP 1.1 --------------------------------------------

+++ Configured Settings: /etc/default/tlp
TLP_ENABLE=1
TLP_DEFAULT_MODE=AC
TLP_PERSISTENT_DEFAULT=0
DISK_IDLE_SECS_ON_AC=0
DISK_IDLE_SECS_ON_BAT=2
MAX_LOST_WORK_SECS_ON_AC=15
MAX_LOST_WORK_SECS_ON_BAT=60
CPU_HWP_ON_AC=balance_performance
CPU_HWP_ON_BAT=balance_power
SCHED_POWERSAVE_ON_AC=0
SCHED_POWERSAVE_ON_BAT=1
NMI_WATCHDOG=0
ENERGY_PERF_POLICY_ON_AC=performance
ENERGY_PERF_POLICY_ON_BAT=power
DISK_DEVICES="sda sdb"
DISK_APM_LEVEL_ON_AC="254 254"
DISK_APM_LEVEL_ON_BAT="128 128"
SATA_LINKPWR_ON_AC="med_power_with_dipm max_performance"
SATA_LINKPWR_ON_BAT="med_power_with_dipm min_power"
AHCI_RUNTIME_PM_TIMEOUT=15
PCIE_ASPM_ON_AC=performance
PCIE_ASPM_ON_BAT=powersave
RADEON_POWER_PROFILE_ON_AC=high
RADEON_POWER_PROFILE_ON_BAT=low
RADEON_DPM_STATE_ON_AC=performance
RADEON_DPM_STATE_ON_BAT=battery
RADEON_DPM_PERF_LEVEL_ON_AC=auto
RADEON_DPM_PERF_LEVEL_ON_BAT=auto
WIFI_PWR_ON_AC=off
WIFI_PWR_ON_BAT=on
WOL_DISABLE=Y
SOUND_POWER_SAVE_ON_AC=0
SOUND_POWER_SAVE_ON_BAT=1
SOUND_POWER_SAVE_CONTROLLER=Y
BAY_POWEROFF_ON_AC=0
BAY_POWEROFF_ON_BAT=0
BAY_DEVICE="sr0"
RUNTIME_PM_ON_AC=on
RUNTIME_PM_ON_BAT=auto
USB_AUTOSUSPEND=1
USB_BLACKLIST_BTUSB=0
USB_BLACKLIST_PHONE=0
USB_BLACKLIST_PRINTER=1
USB_BLACKLIST_WWAN=1
RESTORE_DEVICE_STATE_ON_STARTUP=0

+++ System Info
System = TOSHIBA PT24AA-00X001 PORTEGE Z30t-A
BIOS = Version 4.30
Release = "openSUSE Leap 15.0"
Kernel = 4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default #1 SMP Mon Jan 14 20:29:59 UTC 2019 (7a62739) x86_64
/proc/cmdline = BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default root=UUID=c8660c59-9b9c-4f61-baac-768121c085a1 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-TOSHIBA_THNSNJ128GMCU_15DB40HMK8XX-part4 splash=silent quiet showopts
Init system = systemd v234
Boot mode = UEFI

+++ TLP Status
State = enabled
Last run = 03:08:58 PM, 2 sec(s) ago
Mode = battery
Power source = battery

Notice: tlp-sleep.service is not enabled -- invoke "systemctl enable tlp-sleep.service" to correct this!
Notice: systemd-rfkill.service is not masked -- invoke "systemctl mask systemd-rfkill.service" to correct this!

+++ Processor
CPU model = Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4300U CPU @ 1.90GHz

/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_driver = intel_pstate
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor = powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_available_governors = performance powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_min_freq = 800000 [kHz]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq = 2900000 [kHz]

/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_driver = intel_pstate
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_governor = powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_available_governors = performance powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_min_freq = 800000 [kHz]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq = 2900000 [kHz]

/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2/cpufreq/scaling_driver = intel_pstate
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2/cpufreq/scaling_governor = powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2/cpufreq/scaling_available_governors = performance powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2/cpufreq/scaling_min_freq = 800000 [kHz]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq = 2900000 [kHz]

/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3/cpufreq/scaling_driver = intel_pstate
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3/cpufreq/scaling_governor = powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3/cpufreq/scaling_available_governors = performance powersave
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3/cpufreq/scaling_min_freq = 800000 [kHz]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq = 2900000 [kHz]

/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/min_perf_pct = 27 [%]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/max_perf_pct = 100 [%]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/no_turbo = 0
/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/turbo_pct = 50 [%]
/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/num_pstates = 22

x86_energy_perf_policy.cpu0 = default
x86_energy_perf_policy.cpu1 = default
x86_energy_perf_policy.cpu2 = default
x86_energy_perf_policy.cpu3 = default

/sys/module/workqueue/parameters/power_efficient = N
/proc/sys/kernel/nmi_watchdog = 0

+++ Undervolting
PHC kernel not available.

+++ Temperatures
CPU temp = 45 [°C]
Fan speed = (not available)

+++ File System
/proc/sys/vm/laptop_mode = 2
/proc/sys/vm/dirty_writeback_centisecs = 6000
/proc/sys/vm/dirty_expire_centisecs = 6000
/proc/sys/vm/dirty_ratio = 20
/proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_ratio = 10

+++ Storage Devices
/dev/sda:
Model = TOSHIBA THNSNJ128GMCU
Firmware = JUT10101
APM Level = 254
Status = active/idle
TRIM = supported
Scheduler = deadline

Runtime PM: control = on, autosuspend_delay = -1

SMART info:
5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct = 0
9 Power_On_Hours = 9292 [h]
12 Power_Cycle_Count = 2309
194 Temperature_Celsius = 33 (Min/Max 16/57) [°C]

+++ AHCI Link Power Management (ALPM)
/sys/class/scsi_host/host0/link_power_management_policy = min_power
/sys/class/scsi_host/host1/link_power_management_policy = min_power
/sys/class/scsi_host/host2/link_power_management_policy = min_power

+++ AHCI Host Controller Runtime Power Management
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1f.2/ata1/power/control = on
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1f.2/ata2/power/control = on
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1f.2/ata3/power/control = on

+++ Docks and Device Bays
/sys/devices/platform/dock.0: dock_station = undocked

+++ PCIe Active State Power Management
/sys/module/pcie_aspm/parameters/policy = default (using bios preferences)

+++ Intel Graphics
/sys/module/i915/parameters/enable_dc = -1 (use per-chip default)
/sys/module/i915/parameters/enable_fbc = 0 (disabled)
/sys/module/i915/parameters/enable_psr = 0 (disabled)
/sys/module/i915/parameters/modeset = -1 (use per-chip default)

+++ Wireless
bluetooth = on
wifi = on
wwan = none (no device)

hci0(btusb) : bluetooth, not connected
wlan0(iwlwifi) : wifi, connected, power management = on
wwan0(cdc_mbim) : wwan, not connected

+++ Audio
/sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/power_save = 1
/sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/power_save_controller = Y

+++ Runtime Power Management
Device blacklist = (not configured)
Driver blacklist = amdgpu nouveau nvidia radeon (default)

/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:00.0/power/control = auto (0x060000, Host bridge, hsw_uncore)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:02.0/power/control = auto (0x030000, VGA compatible controller, i915)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:03.0/power/control = auto (0x040300, Audio device, snd_hda_intel)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:14.0/power/control = auto (0x0c0330, USB controller, xhci_hcd)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:16.0/power/control = auto (0x078000, Communication controller, mei_me)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:16.3/power/control = auto (0x070002, Serial controller, serial)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:19.0/power/control = auto (0x020000, Ethernet controller, e1000e)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1b.0/power/control = auto (0x040300, Audio device, snd_hda_intel)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1c.0/power/control = auto (0x060400, PCI bridge, pcieport)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1c.2/power/control = auto (0x060400, PCI bridge, pcieport)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1f.0/power/control = auto (0x060100, ISA bridge, lpc_ich)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:1f.2/power/control = auto (0x010601, SATA controller, ahci)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:01:00.0/power/control = auto (0xff0000, Unassigned class [ff00], rtsx_pci)
/sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:02:00.0/power/control = auto (0x028000, Network controller, iwlwifi)

+++ USB
Autosuspend = enabled
Device whitelist = (not configured)
Device blacklist = (not configured)
Bluetooth blacklist = disabled
Phone blacklist = disabled
WWAN blacklist = enabled

Bus 002 Device 001 ID 1d6b:0003 control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 0 -- Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub (hub)
Bus 001 Device 008 ID 8087:07dc control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Intel Corp. (btusb)
Bus 001 Device 005 ID 04f2:b3b1 control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd (uvcvideo)
Bus 001 Device 007 ID 138a:0010 control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Validity Sensors, Inc. VFS Fingerprint sensor (no driver)
Bus 001 Device 006 ID 04f3:0167 control = on, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Elan Microelectronics Corp. (usbhid)
Bus 001 Device 004 ID 05e3:0608 control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 0 -- Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub (hub)
Bus 001 Device 003 ID 046d:c534 control = on, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Logitech, Inc. Unifying Receiver (usbhid)
Bus 001 Device 002 ID 1199:9063 control = on, autosuspend_delay_ms = 2000 -- Sierra Wireless, Inc. (cdc_mbim)
Bus 001 Device 001 ID 1d6b:0002 control = auto, autosuspend_delay_ms = 0 -- Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub (hub)

+++ Battery Status
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/manufacturer = (not available)
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/model_name = G71C000G7210
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/cycle_count = (not supported)
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/energy_full_design = 51504 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/energy_full = 47049 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/energy_now = 30192 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/power_now = 10167 [mW]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT1/status = Discharging

Charge = 64.2 [%]
Capacity = 91.4 [%]

TYTA · 02-02-2019, 11:30 PM

Anyone here used powertop? How do I make it start automatically on start up?

John VV · 02-03-2019, 12:13 PM

this is SUSE 15 and NOT OpenSUSE leap 15
Correct?

you have full tech support then from buying the required support contract

you might want to use it .

TYTA · 02-03-2019, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John VV

this is SUSE 15 and NOT OpenSUSE leap 15
Correct?

you have full tech support then from buying the required support contract

you might want to use it .

Sorry, it is OpenSuse Leap 15. Have you had any experience with power management tool on laptops under Linux? Anything you can recommend?

I did Powertop yesterday and it seems to have improved battery life a bit . Any experienced users here can have a look at the outputs and make recommendations as didn't do any tweaks?

Alex

salihburhan · 02-06-2019, 01:12 AM

Maybe this will be off topic a bit, but as far as laptops go, I got more than twice the time out my battery (3-4 hours from a 10 year old Sony i3) when I switched to xfce (Debian testing would be my choice) and put in a sshd. Other than that, everything I tried was only minimally effective.

Burhan

amishtechie · 02-10-2019, 12:24 PM

You can use TLP to configure your power usage. If you do not feel comfortable editing the config file, there is a GUI you can use. Remember to whitelist any USB HID devices, such as a mouse.

If you want to use powertop, you may enable or create a systemd service to use the autotune parameter. It will set everything to the GOOD setting, which you may not want.

EDIT: grammar

TYTA · 02-10-2019, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amishtechie

You can use TLP to configure your power usage. If you do not feel comfortable editing the config file, there is a GUI you can use. Remember to whitelist any USB HID devices, such as a mouse.

If you want to use powertop, you may enable or create a systemd service to use the autotune parameter. It will set everything to the GOOD setting, which you may not want.

EDIT: grammar

Many thanks for your reply! I ran the report and did auto-tune as your mentioned. So if I want to have it running on start up every time I need to create

/etc/systemd/system/powertop.service

With the following code inside the powertop.service?

Code:

[Unit]
Description=Powertop tunings

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/powertop --auto-tune
RemainAfterExit=true

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Also what's the difference between TLP and powertop? Why would I use one over another?

Many thanks,

Alex

TYTA · 02-10-2019, 05:17 PM

It would be good to hear from someone who perhaps used both and can expain the difference between the two.

amishtechie · 02-10-2019, 05:49 PM

Powertop, for me, is great as a diagnostic tool to show power usage. I use TLP for power management. They are just different tools that do similar tasks.

Your systemd config looks good. If you want to know anything about Linux, the Arch wiki is a great resource. It takes very little to modify the information to something that can be used for your distro of choice.

If you really want to learn about Linux, consider using Slackware or Arch Linux. The learning curve is steep and you will bang your head on the wall at times. But you will learn quickly.

TYTA · 02-15-2019, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amishtechie

Powertop, for me, is great as a diagnostic tool to show power usage. I use TLP for power management. They are just different tools that do similar tasks.

Your systemd config looks good. If you want to know anything about Linux, the Arch wiki is a great resource. It takes very little to modify the information to something that can be used for your distro of choice.

If you really want to learn about Linux, consider using Slackware or Arch Linux. The learning curve is steep and you will bang your head on the wall at times. But you will learn quickly.

Many thanks!

TYTA · 02-16-2019, 05:16 AM

Just a quick question. I have run the powertop and while most of the settings are "Good" a couple still show up as bad:

Quote:

>> Bad VM writeback timeout
Bad Autosuspend for USB device EM7305 [Sierra Wireless, Incorporated]
Bad Autosuspend for USB device Touchscreen [ELAN]
Bad Autosuspend for USB device USB Receiver [Logitech]

One of them is Touchscreen. If I make it "Good" , would it turn it off permanetly or only turn it off when I am not using it?

amishtechie · 02-20-2019, 12:44 PM

You want to keep those in the "Bad" setting. They will turn off every few seconds if not being used. It is really annoying to be reading a page and try to scroll down with a nonfunctional mouse.

Yes, you would want to save powertop.service if you want it to start up at boot. Don't forget to enable the service.

TYTA · 02-25-2019, 10:42 PM

Many thanks :-)