element-hq / element-hq/element-web

High power consumption due to Element activating the Nvidia optimus graphics card

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#32,329 19 comments 2 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
A-Electron A-Performance O-Occasional S-Minor T-Defect
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TypeScript
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Description

### Description

Since two or three updates Element activates the Nvidia optimus graphics card on my notebook, instead of using the intel onboard graphics, this leads to VARY high power consumption and should only be required by games.

### Steps to reproduce

- use latest Element on a Nvidia optimus device

Describe how what happens differs from what you expected.

Element should use the onboard graphics, like every other application.

## Workaround

Launch Element with `--force_low_power_gpu` . [Electron Documentation --force_low_power_gpu](https://www.electronjs.org/docs/latest/api/command-line-switches#--force_low_power_gpu)

To do this when using autorun edit the Element shortcut in `%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup` and append ` --force_low_power_gpu` to the target path.

Thanks to @jryans for this hint https://github.com/element-hq/element-web/issues/32329#issuecomment-3871041220

## Alternative Workarounds that would need to be renewed after every element update

### if GPU planing is managed by Windows

- Open Windows graphic settings
- add the Element.exe of the current version (located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\riot-web\app-x.xx.xx )
- open the options and select the low power GPU

### if GPU planing is managed by your Nvidia Driver

- Open the "Nvidia Control Panal"
- go to 3D settings
- select the application settings tab
- chose Element
- set preferred graphics processor to "internal"

Logs being sent: no

### Version information

- **Platform**: desktop

For the desktop app:

- **OS**: Windows
- **Version**: (1.7.2?), 1.7.3, 1.7.4 and all later versions

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

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