Recently, Intel proposed its Arc Graphics Driver 101.4146 and we detailed the change note here. However, what it didn’t mention was the presence of a fix for high consumption in idle and in multi-display configuration. Intel has also partially solved this problem for its Arc GPUs!
A patch for Intel GPUs in the background!
What the change note for the latest driver did not mention was the presence of a small “secret” fix. Indeed, when the driver was deployed, we were entitled to a correction of the idle consumption of the Arc cards. The latter are particularly greedy in idle in multi-monitor configuration. Coupled with a QHD screen and a second one in 1600×900, the cards could draw up to 40W.
The reasons behind this high consumption, the card that fails to reach its lowest power states with multiple displays. Here, the driver addresses this concern by partially solving the problem. Why partially? Simply because in order to solve it, the bios/system would have to be addressed. In addition, he Intel engineer specifies that the cards will not enter their “low power state” with three or more monitors.
In the meantime, the progress made is already significant. Indeed, we go from about forty watts of consumption in idle to 8-9W always with a screen QHD and a second in 1600×900.
