Re: [PATCH 0/9] drm/radeon/kms: update pm code

["Klaus Doblmann B.A." <klaus.doblmann@gmail.com>]

On Fri,  7 May 2010 17:16:11 -0400
Alex Deucher <alexdeucher@gmail.com> wrote:

> This set of patches applies on top of the code in drm-radeon-testing.
> 
> I've been testing this code pretty hard this week and it's been solid.
> In addition to some fixes on top of what's in d-r-t, it also reworks
> the pm code to support two basic methods:
> 
> 1. "dynpm"
> 2. "profile"
> 
> You can select the methods via sysfs.  Echo "dynpm" or "profile" to
> /sys/class/drm/card-0/device/power_method.
> 
> The "dynpm" method dynamically changes the clocks based on the number of pending
> fences, so performance is ramped up when running GPU intensive apps, and
> ramped down when the GPU is idle.  The reclocking is attemped during
> vertical blanking periods, but due to the timing of the reclocking
> functions, doesn't not always complete in the blanking period, which can
> lead to flicker in the display.  Due to this, dynpm only works when a single
> head is active.

Hi Alex,

I just built a new version of d-r-t with your patches from yesterday
applied on top and wanted to share my experience with you and the list
(Radeon 2600XT mobile):

Dynpm has gotten unusable for me as there's a noticeable effect on
mouse movement (getting sluggish)

> 
> The "profile" method exposes 4 profiles that can be selected from:
> 1. "default"
> 2. "auto"
> 3. "low"
> 4. "high"
> Select the profile by echoing the selected profile to
> /sys/class/drm/card-0/device/power_profile.
> 

the profile setting works but I can't check which clock speeds are
set as I don't get any feedback (dmesg) anymore (Someone have any
input on this?). The temps are unaffected whether I use the low or high
profile, the only way I can tell that some things are working is by a
2000 fps-difference when running glxgears (something like 4000 on low
and 6000 on high). I also attached a wattmeter to my my machine and the
wattage alternates but I think I'm getting something along the lines of
a 10W decrease in power consumption - it's very hard to tell, though.
dynpm is a bit more effective and I even get lower temps (just under
50° compared to over 53 with the profile settings) but it's unusable
right now as I already mentioned. 

All in all very nice work so far (this goes for all of you who've
worked on radeon KMS PM!) - with the latest set of patches this is the
first "revision" of KMS PM that actually "works" on my machine :)

Klaus

-- 
Klaus Doblmann B.A. - http://straightrazorguy.net - FSF member #7570
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