Updated FAQ (markdown)

NGnius (Graham) 2022-09-23 00:07:04 +00:00
parent 34ed7d83b7
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FAQ.md

@ -4,6 +4,30 @@ PowerTools interacts with the system in roughly the same way as outlined in [her
PowerTools does not save any data by default; it reads and writes to the SteamOS system (mostly the Linux kernel). PowerTools does not save any data by default; it reads and writes to the SteamOS system (mostly the Linux kernel).
Since no data is saved, a reboot will reset all PowerTools settings back to default. Since no data is saved, a reboot will reset all PowerTools settings back to default.
## Why use PowerTools?
The settings made available through PowerTools allow you to tweak your Steam Deck for the best performance and/or battery life.
PowerTools can be great for emulators which use too little performance, or for heavy games that use too much power.
## How do I optimise my settings for a game?
A good first step is to turn on the performance overlay to see what resources are being used by the game.
Then change the settings until the game is using the resources more effectively.
This is mostly trial and error, but here are some tips:
- If only a few CPU threads are being used heavily at one time, try reducing the amount of CPUs available so the remaining threads can run at a higher frequency
- If the CPU is mostly idle but the GPU has high utilization, try reducing your graphics settings
- If you have higher-than-necessary FPS, try reducing TDP and frequencies to a point just before the stuttering starts
- If the CPU and GPU have reasonable utilization but you're experiencing stuttering, try reducing the CPU or GPU frequency to give the other one more power
## What is CPU/GPU frequency?
The rate at which the processor does operations.
A lower frequency means the processor will do less over the period of time.
This is a balancing act between power efficiency (where a lower frequency is better) and performance (where higher frequency is better).
That's why frequencies fluctuate depending on the processor load.
## What is PowerPlay?
An AMD marketing term for their GPU (and APU) power management settings.
PowerPlay is a Table (hence the initialism PPT) of power limits.
Basically TDP.
## Why does PowerTools only let me select some values? ## Why does PowerTools only let me select some values?
There's a few reasons for this, depending on the values in question, but it all stems from limits imposed by (or to protect) the hardware. There's a few reasons for this, depending on the values in question, but it all stems from limits imposed by (or to protect) the hardware.
Most limits can be justified by the [specs of the Steam Deck](https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech) or the allowed values for a specific kernel API. Most limits can be justified by the [specs of the Steam Deck](https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech) or the allowed values for a specific kernel API.
@ -30,6 +54,8 @@ Advanced Micro Devices: the company that makes the processor in the Steam Deck
"Accelerated" Processing Unit: the marketing term used by AMD for a CPU with an integrated GPU "Accelerated" Processing Unit: the marketing term used by AMD for a CPU with an integrated GPU
## CPU ## CPU
Central Processing Unit: the main processor, the Steam Deck uses one with Zen2 architecture Central Processing Unit: the main processor, the Steam Deck uses one with Zen2 architecture
## FPS
Frames Per Second: the rate that images ("frames") are displayed on screen to create motion
## GPU ## GPU
Graphics Processing Unit: the graphics processor, the Steam Deck uses one with RDNA2 architecture Graphics Processing Unit: the graphics processor, the Steam Deck uses one with RDNA2 architecture
## PPT ## PPT
@ -38,6 +64,8 @@ PowerPlay Table: the power settings for AMD GPUs
Quick Access Menu: the Steam Deck menu that comes up when you press the `...` button Quick Access Menu: the Steam Deck menu that comes up when you press the `...` button
## SMT ## SMT
Simultaneous MultiThreading: The generic term for making one logical core act like more than one core, equivalent to Intel's "hyperthreading". Simultaneous MultiThreading: The generic term for making one logical core act like more than one core, equivalent to Intel's "hyperthreading".
## TDP
Thermal Design Power: technically the max sustained power usage of a computer chip, but is also colloquially used to mean power draw or limit.
## USDPL ## USDPL
No, that's five letters No, that's five letters