#GPU isn't properly initialized when not connected to monitor

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

short sphinx
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Hi there,

I'm running an eGPU setup and when my eGPU isn't connected to my monitor via video cable, it is not orderly initialized, as shown by the output from the LACT daemon for instance:

2025-06-09T16:55:39.272496Z ERROR lact_daemon::server::gpu_controller::amd: custom clock settings are present but will be ignored, could not get clocks table: io error: Operation not permitted (os error 1)
Could not read file pp_od_clk_voltage
2025-06-09T16:55:39.272523Z ERROR lact_daemon::server::gpu_controller::amd: could not get current performance level: io error: Operation not permitted (os error 1)
Could not read file "power_dpm_force_performance_level"
2025-06-09T16:55:39.272545Z ERROR lact_daemon::server::handler: could not apply existing config for gpu 1002:73A5-1EAE:6950-0000:03:00.0: Failed to set power cap: 303: io error: Invalid argument (os error 22)
^C2025-06-09T16:59:07.234776Z  INFO lact_daemon: cleaning up and shutting down...
2025-06-09T16:59:07.234986Z ERROR lact_daemon::server::gpu_controller::amd: could not get current performance level: io error: Operation not permitted (os error 1)
Could not read file "power_dpm_force_performance_level"

Mission Center does not show the eGPU, and running an app with DRI_PRIME=1 results in Segmentation fault (core dumped). lspci -nnkv does show the eGPU though, proper driver is also loaded.

When connected to my monitor, the eGPU works flawlessly. However it also draws a lot more power, since it is often woken up by simple mouse movements or running Trivalent, which chooses the eGPU over the iGPU for some reason.

I know it is possible to only have the eGPU being called upon on demand and without any video output at all, did so with the same setup on Arch and a NVIDIA GPU and also on a friend's desktop system with various AMD cards.

Anyone have any idea on where the issue lies? Happy for any advice.

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I've rebooted my system with the monitor connected to my eGPU. Nothing else has changed. Everything's working fine now, but the power draw is erratic thanks to nothing else than simple mouse movement and browsing:

delicate elbow
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what image

short sphinx
# delicate elbow what image

ostree-image-signed:docker://ghcr.io/secureblue/silverblue-main-hardened:latest
42.20250609.0 (2025-06-09T06:51:02Z)

delicate elbow
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hmm

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dunno then

short sphinx
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😄

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It worked on Arch (KDE though) and it's working on the desktop system of a friend of mine (openSUSE Tumbleweed, KDE).

short sphinx
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Specs? Do you have a dGPU built in?

short sphinx
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Well, no, my concern is with the GPU not being properly initialized unless directly being connected to the monitor. The higher power consumption is a result of apps running on the dGPU if it's connected to the monitor.

Did you make sure that you've enabled hardware acceleration for your iGPU whereever possible?

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Specs?

short sphinx
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Update:

So far NVIDIA is working flawlessly headless (meaning without a monitor being connected to the GPU). I can run any app with right click -> start with discrete GPU just fine. Idle draw therefore is fantastic:

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Now why doesn't the same work with AMD?

short sphinx
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Update:

For reasons not yet completely understood by the scientific community, AMD GPUs are now working just as well as NVIDIA GPUs.