Linux 7.3 adds lower-power display mode for Intel Xe3 graphics
Linux 7.3 introduces support for a new fabric frequency reduction mode for Intel Xe3+ integrated graphics, lowering power consumption during light display workloads.
Intel is preparing a driver update for its Xe3 architecture GPUs arriving in Linux 7.3. The key addition allows the SoC to lower internal fabric frequency when display traffic requires less memory bandwidth.
New 20 GB/s Bandwidth Threshold
An integrated display engine reads completed images from system memory before sending them to a laptop panel or external monitor. The processor must keep its memory fabric operating fast enough to handle this traffic, but the lowest standard frequency level can still provide more bandwidth than some configurations require.
Intel's patch adds a new QGV operating point with peak and reduced bandwidth values set to 20 GB/s. The driver can select this level when the calculated display data rate falls below the 20 GB/s threshold.
"On Xe3+, the SoC can lower the fabric frequency when the display needs less bandwidth than the minimum GV point. This threshold is defined as 20 GB/s. The driver can choose to request this threshold when the required data rate falls below it."
The new point is added only on Xe3 or newer display hardware. The system must support QGV frequency management and have room for another point within the limit of eight entries.
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