Powerplay with FireGL V5200 : some informations

[Pascal_TTH]

Hi all,

Since I got my Thinkpad T60p, I start some investigations about PowerPlay. The driver offers 3 settings :

- battery optimized : 128 / 130 MHz
- balanced : 324 / 130 MHz
- performances optimized : 400 / 320 MHz

Here is what I found runing 3D Mark 2005

- battery optimized : 1390 | GPU max temp : 66°C, idle at 58°C
- balanced : 1477 | GPU max temp : 70°C, idle at 58°C
- performances optimized : 3570 | GPU max temps : 80°C, idle at 60°C

Balanced mode looks useless... Also, FireGL V5200 in battery mode performs like the Radeon Mobility X1300 at full speed.

[agarza]

Undervolting a GPU does not make so much difference unless you're putting 100% stress on it. Typical gains undervolted idling shaves 1-2C compared to stock speed & voltage

[tebore]

Try monitoring the wattage consumed. I'm getting almost a 10 watt difference between Max Perf and Max Batt. I don't use balanced at all as it has max battery life performance and max performance battery life.

[Pascal_TTH]

Unfortunatly, I did not found any soft that can handle the voltage directly. So, it's only the clock change from the driver. I agree that lowering the voltage used for high frequency and heavy load is the best way to lower the thermal dissipation. But I can't !
A kind of RMclock but for Mobility Radeon will be nice. RivaTuner or ATItools didn't allow to change voltage.


tebore, thanks for the information about wattage. I still haven't run my new laptop on battery. 10 watts is a [censored] important difference !