Linux Overheating on Nvidia Laptop

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How to fix Overheating On Linux?

How to Fix Linux Overheating – Overheating on a computer/laptop can occur due to Internal and External factors.

Internal factors can occur because the CPU is fully operational, the driver does not support or is misconfigured.

External factors can occur because the fan is not working, the air duct is clogged, or the cooling paste is dry.

I created this article based on my experience in the Linux installation process on an Asus ROG GL503VD laptop. I’m having a lot of problems in the install process.

Starting from not being able to boot during the installation process to overheating when the installation process is successful.

As for the condition of the laptop from this overheating case, I have cleaned it of the dust that sticks and fed the fan air duct.

Distros I’ve Tried

  • The distros I’ve tried so that I get a way to deal with overheating on my laptop are:
  • Ubuntu
  • Ubuntu Kylin
  • Ubuntu Budgie
  • Ubuntu Mate
  • Lubuntu
  • Xbuntu
  • LXLE
  • Zorin
  • Linux Mint Cinnamon
  • Linux Mint Mate
  • Linux Mint XFCE
  • MX Linux
  • Manjaro
  • Pop Os
  • Peppermint
  • BlankOn
  • Debian
  • Fedora
  • KDE Neon
  • Deepin
  • antiX
  • Arch
  • Endeavour OS
  • Lite
  • Sparky Linux
  • Elementary Linux
  • All of the above list I have tried to install and some I installed repeatedly. Until finally I gave up the damaged laptop SSHD hard drive and couldn’t be read anymore.

Then I tried to re-install Linux Elementary Linux 5.1.5 without upgrading the system to the latest Elementary Linux.

I started tinkering with the kernel and system so I could feel some relief that the laptop wasn’t overheating.

From my experience there are several things that make a laptop overheat:

  • Power management is not working well
  • Improper CPU Scaling
  • Using Kernel 5.3.0-53-generic
  • Use POP OS with TLP Modification

Power Management

The solution to power management not working properly is to install TLP. To install TLP GUI, please read here.

For more details about this TLP, please visit the TLP wiki.

Besides that you can also set this TLP in a GUI or application, to be able to use the TLP GUI you have to install it first. You can read how to install on this page.

If you feel that the laptop overheats when the power or charger is used, please set the TLP GUI as shown in the following image.

Select the Processor menu, change CPU_ENERGY_PERF_POLICY_ON_AC__ID_TITTLE and CPU_ENERGY_PERF_POLICY_ON_DC__ID_TITTLE to power.

Linux Overheating on Nvidia Laptop

CPU Scalling Settings

By default Linux, the driver for controlling processor speed to temperature (as I understand it) is the intel_pstate driver.

The intel_pstate driver does not reduce processor speed as temperature increases. The faster the processor works, the more heat it produces.

In this problem the intel_pstate driver is not removed to eliminate this overheating. But we can replace with the acpi-cpufreq driver.

How to check Default Driver

To see if the intel_pstate driver is the default on the laptop, use the following command in the terminal: 

cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_driver

Results from terminal :
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate
intel_pstate

Edit in Grub Boot file

  • Please open the grub file in the /etc/default/grub folder using a text editor on your linux.
  • Find GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash”
  • add intel_pstate=disable
  • Then GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash intel_pstate=disable”
  • Save the grub file
  • Update grub using command :
sudo update-grub
  • Restart/reboot.
  • Done.

Driver check

Open terminal and use this command: 

cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_driver

Results from terminal:
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq
acpi-cpufreq

Done

Use Kernel 5.3.0-53-generic

I have tried to set the kernel from kernel 4. so much to 5. so much to Overcome Linux Overheating. From that experience, the coolest kernel that doesn’t overheat is kernel 5.3.0-53.

To be able to upgrade or downgrade, I suggest using an application called UKUU.

With this application, you can manage the kernel using the GUI instead of the terminal which can be confusing if you are a beginner.

Sekain from my experience in overcoming overheating in linux, hopefully useful.

Use POP OS , Elementary OS, Linux Lite 5 & Ubuntu Mate

Why do I recommend using POP OS, because this linux distro is cooler than the other distros when I tried it.

Same with Elementary OS, although there is no graphics option like POP OS, by default Elementary OS gives your laptop cool by default.

In addition POP OS, we can choose the graphics card that is available in the power management menu.

Linux Overheating on Nvidia Laptop

Why do I recommend using POP OS, because this linux distro is more ATTENTION!!! The pop OS linux display above is not the original display, but I’ve changed it to look like Mac OS.

I chose integrated graphics and as a result, my laptop no longer overheats.

When the power or charger is inserted, the laptop feels hotter, then I install TLP as written in tutorial 1. Install TLP and change the AC power settings above and finally it no longer overheats.
h cooler than other distros when I tried.

In addition, we can choose the graphics card that is available in the power management menu.

Update : 21-08-2020

I managed to get a cooler temperature as long as I installed linux on my Asus ROG. Pay attention to the temperature at the following terminals:

Linux Overheating on Nvidia Laptop

The settings I use are as follows in detail:

  • Distro : Linux Lite 5 or Ubuntu Mate with ubuntu 20.04 base (Focal Fossa)
  • Kernel Version: 5.4.0-33-generic (Linux Lite) and 5.4.0-42-generic (Ubuntu Mate)
  • TLP settings: CPU_ENERGY_PERF_POLICY_ON_AC = balance_power (How to install TLP UI)
  • TLP setting : CPU_BOOST_ON_AC = off
  • Setting CPU Scaling: Read the article above
  • Use Intel GPU (Power Saving Mode) or X.Org X server

I hope this Linux Overheat article is useful.