# Power Mizer - difference between PowerMizerDefault and PowerMizerLevel

**URL:** <https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/power-mizer-difference-between-powermizerdefault-and-powermizerlevel/46884>\
**Category:** Linux\
**Created:** [December 20, 2016, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/power-mizer-difference-between-powermizerdefault-and-powermizerlevel/46884 "2016-12-20T12:15:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![adynak](https://developer.download.nvidia.com/images/forums/profile-default-devtalk-84.png) [@adynak](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/u/adynak)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/power-mizer-difference-between-powermizerdefault-and-powermizerlevel/46884/1 "2016-12-20T12:15:27Z")

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I have a Clevo P651RE6-G, mounting an Nvidia 1060 on Ubuntu Gnome 16.10, and to set maximum battery savings when not in AC I configured the xorg.conf as follows:

```auto
Section "Device"
    Identifier "Device0"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    Option "RegistryDwords" "PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x2233; PowerMizerDefault=0x3"
EndSection

```

I found similar configurations online, however they also require the entry “PowerMizerLevel=0x3”, which does not work in my case.

Now I am just getting curious: what is the difference between “PowerMizerDefault” and “PowerMizerLevel”?

I found the following description online, however it not clear to me.

**PowerMizerEnable=0x1;**  
enables PowerMizer feature (0×0 would disable it instead). This entry may not be needed since in recent driver versions PowerMizer is enabled by default.

**PerfLevelSrc=0x2222;**  
sets the governor approach. 0×2222 means fixed frequencies for both battery and AC mode.

**PowerMizerLevel=0x3;**  
sets the current mode. 0×3 is the lowest, least power intensive mode.

**PowerMizerDefault=0x3;**  
sets the default level on battery. 0×3 is the lowest, least power intensive mode.

PowerMizerDefaultAC=0x3"  
 sets the default level while with an AC plug. 0×3 is the lowest, least power intensive mode.

Is there anyone who knows the difference between “PowerMizerDefault” and “PowerMizerLevel”?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rodriguevb](https://developer.download.nvidia.com/images/forums/profile-default-devtalk-84.png) [@rodriguevb](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/u/rodriguevb)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/power-mizer-difference-between-powermizerdefault-and-powermizerlevel/46884/2 "2018-02-04T00:54:38Z")

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Any answer ? :)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ryanmusante](https://developer.download.nvidia.com/images/forums/profile-default-devtalk-84.png) [@ryanmusante](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/u/ryanmusante)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/power-mizer-difference-between-powermizerdefault-and-powermizerlevel/46884/3 "2018-02-07T01:13:54Z")

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# adaptive strategy for any power source

Option “RegistryDwords” “PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x2233; PowerMizerDefault=0x3”

# batt=max power saving, AC=max power saving

Option “RegistryDwords” “PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x3333”

# batt=adaptive strategy, AC=max performance

Option “RegistryDwords” “PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x3322; PowerMizerDefaultAC=0x1”

# batt=max power saving, AC=max performance

Option “RegistryDwords” “PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x2222; PowerMizerDefault=0x3; PowerMizerDefaultAC=0x1”

# batt=max power saving, AC=adaptive strategy (my favorite)

Option “RegistryDwords” “PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x2222; PowerMizerDefault=0x3; PowerMizerDefaultAC=0x3”

I use PowerMizerDefault=0x1 for maximum performance and to keep my card clocked high.