HD 520 Driver Battery Drain - Package C-states unused

[SSamM]

I've noticed terrible battery life with my XPS 9350 (i7-6500U) recently. I'm unsure of what software change happened to cause the problem, but I noticed that despite very low 0-1% CPU usage at idle in Windows 10, the package power hovers around 1.7-2.4W at idle, instead of the usual .6-.8W. Furthermore, although the CPU cores themselves are spending majority time in the C7 state, the package spends exactly 0% of time in ANY c-state. I uninstalled the intel graphics driver and the problem was completely resolved, battery time went from 3 hours back to 10 hours. I have tried the dell driver, and the most recent two drivers by intel, including the beta, to find the same problem every time. I'm at a loss as to what's causing the issue, but have verified from a few different hardware monitors.

[idata]

Hello, selfassembled:

Thank you for contacting the Intel Communities.I would like to double check some informaiton about this.1. Have you tested this with this driver? 20.19.15.4390 ,A04 // from http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-13-9350-laptop/drivers/advanced http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-13-9350-laptop/drivers/advanced2. Do you have available different power profiles for your device? Which have you tested?3. Please provide me with the Intel® System Support Utility report.How to get this report?-Access: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-Download the utility-Scan your system with the utility-Export the report and attach it to your answer witht the advanced edditor optionI look forward to hearing from you.Regards,Esteban C

[SSamM]

I did try that driver. I'm currently back to the latest intel beta though. The problem only disappears if I've uninstalled the driver. That driver doesn't include recent fixes by intel which I need. The problem is there under all power profiles in windows, this is relayed by CUPID HWMonitor.

Here is the report. Attached and inline.

<?xml version="1.0"?>

1.2.0.58

05/23/2016

00:00:21.3741786

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/search.html?keyword=HD+Graphics+520" />

<Sett...

[idata]

selfassembled:

Thank you for the information provided.In this case we have tested the generic drivers from Intel, different versions of that driver, also the drivers provided by the manufacturer of the device.Those drivers, both OEM and Intel generic drivers are having this issue, so my recommendation would be to report this with the manufacturer of your device, why is that? They are the ones that integrated the device and developed the drivers for it as well, for that reason it would be good to report the issue to them so you can receive further troubleshooting on this and possibly a fix for this.Contact information for the OEM:http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19?~ck=mn http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19?~ck=mn+1 800-624-9897If any additional questions or inquiries are present, feel free to contact us back.Regards,Esteban C

[idata]

Hello, selfassembled:

I was checking this thread and wondered if you were able to get in touch with Dell in order to get further assistance on this.Regards,Esteban C

[SSamM]

If I was working with Lenovo I might have given it a shot, but I wouldn't waste my time with Dell support. For now, if I need battery I uninstall the graphics driver for that session. Waiting to test a new driver from Intel.

[SSamM]

I found the issue. I went into the Intel graphics properties and proceeded to disable different color correction settings. Also changed any available settings from "application specific" to "controlled by driver". The issue is completely fixed, c-states are back in use and battery life is back up. You guys need to go through these settings and see what caused the problem. That's why the issue was there with every version I tried, settings were preserved.

[SE]

Hey there,

What drivers are you using? Are you able to install the latest Intel drivers and experience the good battery life?

Could you export the profile and upload it somewhere?

Thank you for looking into this when it should've been Dell's job. Hopefully; I can get this sorted out as well.

[SSamM]

The problem existed with all three latest intel drivers and Dell's latest. I'm currently on 15.4444 with it fixed, but I don't think the version matters. I'll export my current (good) profile. Again the settings I changed were to disallow application control in 3d and video settings and to disable some intel video enhancements, unsure which fixed it. If a driver team is really looking into this issue I can go back and play with settings to find the culprit. My windows setup is probably fairly atypical though, I've changed a lot of settings and used windows tweakers, as well as throttlestop to undervolt the processor (which doesn't seem to be the issue in any case).

[SE]

That did the trick for now; upgraded to Beta_15.40.23.64.4444.zip @ https://downloadmirror.intel.com/25957/eng/Beta_15.40.23.64.4444.zip and used your profile. i7-6500U here; 16GB QHD.

Thanks!

[SSamM]

Oh didn't realize anyone else had the issue. Glad I could help.

[idata]

Hello, All:

It is good to hear that you guys were able to get this fixed with the changes performed by selfassembled.In regards to the driver fix, my recommendation would be to report it to the manufacturer of your devices, the drivers for OEM devices are supported by the manufacturer of that specific device, the drivers developed by Intel are not necessarily tested in each laptop or OEM device in the market as of now, for that reason they are called generic drivers, this is for you to have a clearer overview of why I recommended you to report it to the manufacturer of your devices.Hope you can get in touch with them.If any additional of further inquiries are present, feel free to contact the Intel Communities back.Regards,Esteban C