Updated FAQ (markdown)

NGnius (Graham) 2022-09-01 00:01:02 +00:00
parent bf211a3f50
commit f3aad12717

16
FAQ.md

@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
# Functionality
## How does PowerTools work?
PowerTools interacts with the system in roughly the same way as outlined in the [README](https://github.com/NGnius/PowerTools#cool-but-thats-too-much-work).
PowerTools interacts with the system in roughly the same way as outlined in [here](https://not.a.link/).
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.
## Why does PowerTools only let me select some values?
There's a few reasons for this, depending on the values in question:
- CPU Max Frequency: These are the only values the CPU supports
- GPU PPT Wattage: The rest of the values can already be set from SteamOS's Performance settings in the QAM
- Others: logical limits coming from the [specs of the Steam Deck](https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech)
@ -20,14 +19,22 @@ I don't know, ask Valve. Most of the defaults are pretty logical, so none of the
The SMT toggle in PowerTools doesn't actually disable SMT. Instead it disables every second CPU, since every group of two CPUs is one logical CPU core.
# TLA (Three Letter Acronyms)
## AMD
Advanced Micro Devices: the company that makes the processor in the Steam Deck
## APU
"Accelerated" Processing Unit: the marketing term for a CPU with an integrated GPU
## CPU
Central Processing Unit: the main processor, the Steam Deck uses one with Zen2 architecture
## GPU
Graphics Processing Unit: the graphics processor, the Steam Deck uses one with RDNA2 architecture
## PPT
PowerPlay Table: AMD's power settings for their GPUs
PowerPlay Table: the power settings for AMD GPUs
## QAM
Quick Access Menu: the Steam Deck menu that comes up when you press the `...` button
## SMT
Simultaneous MultiThreading: The generic term for making one logical core act like more than one core, equivalent to Intel's "hyperthreading".
## USDPL
No, that's five letters
# Miscellaneous
## Can this damage my Steam Deck?
@ -36,9 +43,6 @@ Generally, user software can't damage hardware unless there are already existing
## Does this work on SteamOS Beta versions?
Probably. It isn't tested on Beta because NGnius only has one Steam Deck, but the differences are usually too minor to cause major issues with PowerTools. Using PowerTools on SteamOS Beta isn't officially supported, which means bugs probably won't get fixed.
## Why do people keep dropping the first zero off of the version number?
Maybe they think 1/2 is equal to 5...
## Why am I stuck in an unhappy marriage?
Because your failure to communicate and/or get a divorce have left you trapped in a prison of your own creation.