PowerManagementPMUtils
This call for testing is now complete
A big thank you to all who were involved in testing the new PM utils power.d scripts. These changes have now landed on Ubuntu Precise 12.04 LTS. The text below is has been kept for historical context. We no longer require any testing or updates to this page.
PM utils power.d improvements
PM utils power.d scripts control power management settings when a laptop is on mains or battery power. The power.d scripts currently attempt to optimize power savings when on battery power by adjusting settings such as audio and wireless power management, readahead and journal commit settings to name just a few.
The kernel provides mechanisms to put specific USB and PCI devices into lower power consuming states and with careful choice of the specific devices we can reduce the overall system power consumption by a few Watts depending on the types of devices installed on a laptop or netbook.
Initial analysis on a range of hardware has identified a set of devices (Bluetooth, Wireless, Ethernet, SD card readers) that can be put into a low power state and we are looking for volunteers to test some updated pm-utils power.d scripts. We are interested in two types of test:
1) Do these pm-util scripts save any power across a range of machines?
2) Does enabling these savings affect any device behavior?
How to Test Power Savings
Download the test script and make it executable:
wget http://zinc.canonical.com/~cking/power-benchmarking/pm-utils-updates/pm-utils-test.sh chmod +x pm-utils-test.sh
Install the powerstat tool required to measure power consumption:
sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh install-powerstat
Note you can uninstall powerstat at a later time using: sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh uninstall-powerstat
Ensure you laptop battery is fully charged and also that you have DISABLED the screen dimming (System Settings -> Screen -> Un-tick "Dim Screen to save power", set "Turn off after:" to "Never" and turn screen lock "Lock" to "OFF".
Next, unplug the laptop from the mains power so that it is running on battery power and the run the test and leave the machine alone in an idle state while testing:
sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh test
After 16 minutes you will see some results, much like the following:
sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh test Stopping cron Measuring baseline power consumption.. Please wait 8 minutes. Measuring power consumption with new scripts.. Please wait 8 minutes. Starting cron Test Results: BIOS : A13 Kernel: Linux dell6400 3.0.0-14-generic #23-Ubuntu SMP Mon Nov 21 20:28:43 UTC 2011 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux Power consumption BEFORE using new pm-utils power.d scripts: 28.12 Watts on Average with Standard Deviation 0.15 Power consumption AFTER using new pm-utils power.d scripts: 27.64 Watts on Average with Standard Deviation 0.12 Paste the following line into the results table: ||Dell Inc. MM061||A13||64||3.0.0-14-generic||28.12 W, σ=0.15||27.64 W, σ=0.12|| Thank you for taking the time to run the test.
If the Standard Deviation is high (for example greater than ~5% of the power consumption) then it may be worth re-running the test to see if you get more reliably results a second time around.
Add your findings to the table at the bottom of this page (please put name of the machine in sorted alphabetical order). For the power measurements enter the average power consumed and standard deviation data for the BEFORE and AFTER measurements.
NOTE: The manufacturer name and machine name in the 1st field is extracted from the DMI tables and maybe misleading or wrong. We suggest modifying this field if you have better human readable data. E.g. the above example was identified as "Dell Inc. MM061" where as a better human readable name is in fact a "Dell Inspiron 6400".
How to Test Device Behavior
Assuming you have already downloaded the test script, plug your machine back into mains power and then enable the test using:
sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh enable
Note that this script will force pm-powersave to be on even though you are running on AC mains power and hence the new power saving pm-utils scripts will be activated so you can test the machine for a long period of time. Please check to see if devices like Bluetooth, Wireless, Ethernet, SD card readers, Web Cameras work correctly. Feel free to exercise the machine by running your normal everyday activities. Please note any incorrect behavior in the notes field in the table below.
To disable the test, use:
sudo ./pm-utils-test.sh disable
Crowd Sourcing Results
Please put name of the machine in sorted alphabetical order. Thanks!
Machine |
BIOS |
32/64 bit kernel |
Kernel |
Power 'BEFORE' |
Power 'AFTER' |
Notes |
Acer Aspire 1830T |
V1.20 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
12.79 W, σ=0.09 |
12.79 W, σ=0.10 |
|
Acer Aspire 5742G |
V1.24 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
22.12 W, σ=0.36 |
21.92 W, σ=0.42 |
working |
Acer Aspire 5820TG |
V1.19 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
13.90 W, σ=0.56 |
13.98 W, σ=1.26 |
Kernel cmd line added pcie_aspm=force 915.i915_enable_rc6=1 radeon.nomodeset=1 vt.handoff=7 |
Apple Computer, Inc. MacBook1,1 |
MB11.88Z.0061.B03.0610121324 |
32 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
13.65 W, σ=0.04 |
13.67 W, σ=0.04 |
|
Apple Inc. MacBookPro5,3 |
MBP53.88Z.00AC.B03.0906151647 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
23.24 W, σ=0.64 |
23.07 W, σ=0.65 |
|
Apple MacBook Air 4,1 |
MBA41.88Z.0077.B0E.1110141154 |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
7.61 W σ=0.03 |
6.65 W σ=0.29 |
Works fine |
Asus 1015PE |
0603 |
64 |
3.2.0-5-generic |
6.37 W, σ=0.17 |
7.17 W, σ=0.12 |
No device testing |
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. N55SF |
N55SF.207 |
64 |
3.0.0-15-generic |
18.38 W, σ=0.18 |
17.67 W, σ=0.16 |
|
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. UX31E |
UX31E.206 |
64 |
3.0.0-13-generic |
12.29 W, σ=0.09 |
12.38 W, σ=0.09 |
|
Dell Inspiron 6400 |
A13 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
28.12 W σ=0.15 |
27.64 W σ=0.12 |
Works fine |
Dell Inspiron 6400 |
A13 |
64 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
25.18 W, σ=0.19 |
24.79 W, σ=0.10 |
|
Dell Inspiron N5110 |
A06 |
64 |
3.0.0-15-generic |
24.59 W, σ=0.28 |
24.54 W, σ=0.16 |
|
Dell Latitude D820 |
A07 |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
27.77 W, σ=0.06 |
27.76 W, σ=0.08 |
Clean install, all updates applied, wifi disconnected, GigE connected |
Dell Inc. Latitude E6400 |
A30 |
64 |
3.2.0-030200-generic |
13.62 W, σ=0.48 |
13.66 W, σ=0.32 |
wifi off, eth0 connected, max brightness |
Dell Latitude E6420 |
A06 |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic-pae |
15.75 W, σ=0.10 |
12.94 W, σ=0.42 |
|
Dell Vostro 1310 |
A15 |
64 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
28.21 W, σ=0.41 |
28.51 W, σ=0.29 |
No device testing |
Dell Vostro 1440 |
A00 |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
15.26 W, σ=0.45 |
14.49 W, σ=0.37 |
|
Dell Vostro V131 |
X17 |
64 |
3.0.0-13-generic |
27.74 W, σ=0.36 |
27.59 W, σ=0.33 |
Works fine |
Dell Vostro V13 |
A02 |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic-pae |
10.68 W, σ=0.42 |
10.56 W, σ=0.27 |
|
Gateway NV55S04u |
V1.01 |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
9.14 W, σ=0.26 |
9.20 W, σ=0.26 |
|
HP ProBook 4320s |
68AHH Ver. F.0E |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
23.89 W, σ=1.27 |
20.28 W, σ=0.43 |
Works fine |
HP Compaq 6710b |
68DDU Ver. F.12 |
64 |
3.2.0-2-generic |
19.65 W, σ=0.20 |
19.76 W, σ=0.20 |
|
HP Compaq 8510p |
68MVD Ver. F.15 |
32 |
3.0.0-15-generic |
28.87 W, σ=4.14 |
27.36 W, σ=3.75 |
WIFI left on |
HP EliteBook 6930p |
Don't know |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic-pae |
31.22 W ± 2.35 |
28.58 W ± 1.65 |
Works fine |
HP Mini 10 |
361A0 Ver. F.10 |
32 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
11.77 W, σ=0.46 |
11.34 W, σ=0.36 |
Live USB |
HP Mini 500 |
308F0 Ver. F.01 |
32 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
9.51 W, σ=0.67 |
8.80 W, σ=0.64 |
Live USB |
HP Mini 5102 |
68PGU Ver. F.05 |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
9.52 W, σ=0.07 |
9.54 W, σ=0.05 |
No device testing |
HP Pavilion dm1 |
F.12 |
32 |
3.0.0-13-generic |
7.85 W σ=0.25 |
7.76 W σ=0.27 |
Works fine |
HP ProBook 6460b |
68SCE Ver. F.08 |
64 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
14.81 W, σ=0.55 |
14.29 W, σ=0.39 |
|
LENOVO 03285EG |
86ET25WW (1.09 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
14.24 W, σ=0.09 |
14.30 W, σ=0.06 |
Edge 13 |
LENOVO 03285EG |
86ET25WW (1.09 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
13.83 W, σ=0.32 |
13.66 W, σ=0.26 |
Same as above, but after upgrade to precise |
LENOVO 11433FU |
8HET34WW(1.16) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
18.84 W, σ=0.28 |
18.64 W, σ=1.00 |
|
LENOVO 20044 |
2CCN18WW(V1.07) |
32 |
3.4.9-030409-generic |
31.05 W, σ=0.18 |
25.37 W, σ=0.18 |
|
LENOVO HuronRiver Platform |
45CN34WW |
64 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
17.79 W, σ=0.08 |
17.94 W, σ=0.06 |
|
Lenovo IdeaPad Y430 |
0BCN57WW(V3.13) |
64 |
3.2.0-5-generic |
16.04 W, σ=0.11 |
16.05 W, σ=0.12 |
Live USB |
LENOVO T420 4177CTO |
83ET63WW (1.33 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-1-generic |
19.20 W, σ=0.87 |
18.98 W, σ=0.84 |
|
Lenovo Thinkpad T420s |
8CET50WW (1.30 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic (on Oneiric) |
13.83 W ± 0.03 |
13.87 W ± 0.03 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad T510 |
6MET75WW (1.35 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
11.26 W ± 0.16 |
11.12 W ± 0.06 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad T61 8891CTO |
7LETA9WW (2.09 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
20.90 W, σ=0.18 |
20.84 W, σ=0.17 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad x120e |
8FET31WW (1.15 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
12.52W ± 0.19 |
12.16W ± 0.16 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X200s |
6DET65WW (3.15 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
8.10 W, σ=0.07 |
8.09 W, σ=0.07 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X200s |
6DET70WW (3.20 ) |
64 |
3.1.4-030104-generic |
14.17 σ=0.10 |
14.20 σ=0.11 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad x220 |
8DET51WW (1.21 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
11.40 W ± 0.59 |
10.78 W ± 0.18 |
Works fine |
Lenovo ThinkPad x220 |
8DET51WW (1.21 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
12.46 W ± 0.29 |
12.29 W ± 0.03 |
Works fine |
LENOVO ThinkPad x220i |
8DET50WW (1.20 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
9.70 W, σ=0.14 |
9.70 W, σ=0.07 |
no improvements |
Lenovo ThinkPad X220i |
8DET54WW (1.24 ) |
32 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
15.66 W, σ=0.04 |
15.65 W, σ=0.05 |
Live USB |
Lenovo ThinkPad X220i |
8DET54WW (1.24 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-12-generic |
17.07 W, σ=0.07 |
17.00 W, σ=0.06 |
Live USB |
Lenovo ThinkPad X220i |
8DET54WW (1.24 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
8.66 W, σ=0.11 |
8.42 W, σ=0.06 |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad x301 |
6EET44WW (3.04) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
12.84 W ± 0.19 |
12.36 W ± 0.25 |
Works fine |
LENOVO x120e 05962RU |
8FET31WW (1.15 ) |
32 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
10.01 W, σ=0.03 |
9.25 W, σ=0.09 |
Live USB |
LENOVO x120e 05962RU |
8FET31WW (1.15 ) |
64 |
3.2.0-4-generic |
9.83 W, σ=0.06 |
9.00 W, σ=0.09 |
Live USB |
Lenovo x120e 0596CTO |
8FET31WW (1.15 ) |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
8.44 W, σ=0.08 |
8.64 W, σ=0.04 |
|
LENOVO/IBM T43 |
70ET66WW (1.26 ) |
32 |
3.2.0-7-generic |
17.85 W, σ=0.82 |
17.80 W, σ=0.83 |
|
Micro-Star International CX705 MX |
A1737SMS V1.0G |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
25.04 W, σ=0.15 |
25.13 W, σ=0.20 |
|
Micro-Star International L2100 |
080015 |
64 |
3.0.0-15-generic |
16.71 W, σ=0.16 |
16.65 W, σ=0.14 |
|
Samsung 350U2A |
03PY.M019.20110709.WZW |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
9.91 W ± 0.30 |
9.45 W ± 0.29 |
Works fine |
Samsung NF210 |
03MY.M029.20101228.JIP |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
5.48 W ± 0.62 |
5.06 W ± 0.43 |
Works fine |
Sony Corporation VPCF11KFX |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
28.97 W, σ=1.33 |
29.25 W, σ=1.71 |
|
|
Sony Corporation VPCF12S1E |
64 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
33.34 W, σ=1.99 |
32.42 W, σ=2.23 |
|
|
Zareason Corporation PT20 (Terra HD) |
PT20_B1.1.216_E1.1.351_P0 |
32 |
3.0.0-14-generic |
10.87 W, σ=0.63 |
10.69 W, σ=0.12 |
Wireless and webcam work fine, did not test ethernet and card readers, no bluetooth hardware available. |
Kernel/PowerManagementPMUtils (last edited 2012-08-24 21:50:18 by static-213-88-59-155)