Linux Mint high power consumption?

[jack2964]

I installed Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon with dual boot option into Win7 (my previous OS).

I am completely new to Linux but am quite happy so far other than noticing my laptop runs considerably hotter and battery charge falls rapidly as compared to Win7 usage.

I got "Powertop" installed after doing some research on the net and on each start up I manually set to "Good" in the "tuneables" tab but it all seems in vain. Power consumption still is excessive comparatively with Win7 and I only have Firefox running.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to resolve this or is this how Linux is?

Thanks in advance.

[dave_boo]

Not knowing your hardware...perhaps you need to install Optimus due to having an Intel/Nvidia system.

[jack2964]

Not knowing your hardware...perhaps you need to install Optimus due to having an Intel/Nvidia system.

My Laptop is a Dell XPS L511Z and in Win7 'Device Manager" it shows both Intel® HD Graphics Family and Nvidia GeForce GT 525M for Display Adapters.

I ought to point out, this is 64bit machine but I tried and failed many times trying to install the 64bit version of Mint and in the end installed the 32bit version.

I'll read up on Optimus and give it a try. Thanks!

[crabdog]

Yep you need Optimus / Primus to enable the ability to turn off the discrete Nvidia gpu. Your laptop will be MUCH cooler and it should also increase your battery life substantially too.

[aarn]

Get a cheap laptop cooler fom local comp shop or TLotus etc. 120B is a small investment to help avert a potential disaster... took me a few years here to realise this. AA

[jack2964]

Being somewhat challenged with computers I followed as much I could what I found on the net and installed Bumblebee.

At the end of the steps, I typed 'glxspheres' as instructed but I didn't get the colourful graphics to display, instead I got this:

'glxspheres: command not found'. However, it appears the laptop is now running cooler and the internal fan isn't running and battery seems to be holding.

[dave_boo]

You can, from the terminal, run "sudo apt-get install glxspheres". It's not really necessary other than to demonstrate the optimus is working properly...because running "primus glxspheres" afterwards should show a large jump in framerates.

I assume that you are looking for energy savings; make sure you now run powertop and see how much power is being used.

[jack2964]

I got this when I tried to install glxspheres but I can live without it if Bumblebee is indeed now working:

sudo apt-get install glxspheres

Reading package lists... Done

Building dependency tree

Reading state information... Done

E: Unable to locate package glxspheres

And I am pleased that Powertop is now reporting:

The battery reports a discharge rate of 9.16 W

The estimated remaining time is 4 hours, 6 minutes (batt icon shows 72% charge)

Thanks Dave.

[Gomyway]

The high power consumption is Cinnamon.

[howto]

Does this apply to both Debian and Unbunto Mint Cinnamon???

[howto]

Does this apply to both Debian and Unbunto Mint Cinnamon???