F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Ubuntu 20.04 experiencing high power usage from the NVIDIA GPU even with just the built-in graphics card (Intel iGPU).

Ubuntu 20.04 experiencing high power usage from the NVIDIA GPU even with just the built-in graphics card (Intel iGPU).

Ubuntu 20.04 experiencing high power usage from the NVIDIA GPU even with just the built-in graphics card (Intel iGPU).

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tonykart18
Member
66
07-17-2025, 01:18 AM
#1
The problem is straightforward: switching to the Intel iGPU via the Nvidia X Sever settings GUI isn’t functioning properly, and the NVIDIA GPU still draws power after a reboot, causing extra heat. The same occurs when using prime-select from the terminal. Using powertop shows I’m consuming about 18-22W when idle—roughly 10W more than expected. This appears to be an old issue that was supposedly resolved. There are at least two bug reports on Launchpad (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sourc...ug/1765363) and possible workarounds. The main challenge is that many discussions are over three years old, making it hard to confirm what works now. I attempted installing Ubuntu without selecting "install third party drivers," but that didn’t help. Recently, someone else mentioned the same issue here: https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/nvidia-pr...dgpu/21856. My machine uses an Optimus laptop with the 11800H graphics, Ubuntu 20.04 (and 21.10), and I’ve tested drivers 470 and 460.
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tonykart18
07-17-2025, 01:18 AM #1

The problem is straightforward: switching to the Intel iGPU via the Nvidia X Sever settings GUI isn’t functioning properly, and the NVIDIA GPU still draws power after a reboot, causing extra heat. The same occurs when using prime-select from the terminal. Using powertop shows I’m consuming about 18-22W when idle—roughly 10W more than expected. This appears to be an old issue that was supposedly resolved. There are at least two bug reports on Launchpad (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sourc...ug/1765363) and possible workarounds. The main challenge is that many discussions are over three years old, making it hard to confirm what works now. I attempted installing Ubuntu without selecting "install third party drivers," but that didn’t help. Recently, someone else mentioned the same issue here: https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/nvidia-pr...dgpu/21856. My machine uses an Optimus laptop with the 11800H graphics, Ubuntu 20.04 (and 21.10), and I’ve tested drivers 470 and 460.

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Corydora165
Junior Member
5
07-24-2025, 05:16 PM
#2
I don't want to be that person, but have you considered installing a new distribution live?
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Corydora165
07-24-2025, 05:16 PM #2

I don't want to be that person, but have you considered installing a new distribution live?

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emmylee33
Senior Member
710
07-25-2025, 09:55 PM
#3
Thread processed. No further action needed unless you have additional input.
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emmylee33
07-25-2025, 09:55 PM #3

Thread processed. No further action needed unless you have additional input.

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ani48abla
Junior Member
37
08-01-2025, 10:52 PM
#4
Sure. However, I'll still mention that as someone using Linux, Nvidia isn't recommended. That's something everyone should consider. This is just my way of being helpful. If it fails, avoid it. Don't back a company that doesn't assist you.
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ani48abla
08-01-2025, 10:52 PM #4

Sure. However, I'll still mention that as someone using Linux, Nvidia isn't recommended. That's something everyone should consider. This is just my way of being helpful. If it fails, avoid it. Don't back a company that doesn't assist you.

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xAlphaLegend
Member
222
08-21-2025, 03:29 PM
#5
I'm not sure about that, but I might consider it this weekend. From what I read online, it could work instantly on Fedora and POP OS. It looks like an Ubuntu issue rather than a NVIDIA one, though I doubt the Linux version will help.
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xAlphaLegend
08-21-2025, 03:29 PM #5

I'm not sure about that, but I might consider it this weekend. From what I read online, it could work instantly on Fedora and POP OS. It looks like an Ubuntu issue rather than a NVIDIA one, though I doubt the Linux version will help.

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zorro8003PL
Member
131
08-23-2025, 08:40 PM
#6
Discovered this on the Arch Wiki page. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PRIME#P...Management Perhaps searching Google for similar topics on Ubuntu would help.
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zorro8003PL
08-23-2025, 08:40 PM #6

Discovered this on the Arch Wiki page. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PRIME#P...Management Perhaps searching Google for similar topics on Ubuntu would help.