GUIDE How to Enable Discrete GPU Power Management [NVIDIA/AMD]

[EliteMacx86]

How to Enable Discrete GPU Power Management on macOS [NVIDIA/AMD]​

This guide covers the implementation of Discrete Graphics (DGPU) Power Management for Intel and AMD CPUs on macOS using Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable NVIDIA or AMD Graphics Power Management on macOS using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader.

For IGPU Power Management

GUIDE - How to Enable Intel IGPU Power Management on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]

How to Enable Intel IGPU Power Management on macOS [Clover/OpenCore] For Discrete GPU Power Management, refer to the guide linked below https://www.elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-enable-discrete-gpu-power-management-nvidia-amd.657/ STEP 2: Rename GPU Device To enable GPU Power Management...

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Overview

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Like CPU Power Management, it's also required to enable GPU Power Management. The macOS native power management delivers the best performance and efficiency. Please note that power management is not mandatory. The results are not serious when there's no power management implemented. The performance is similar, however, there can be higher temperatures, using more power, and thermal throttling.

Compatibility

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Not all Graphics are compatible with macOS. Refer to the thread linked below for more information on Graphics compatibility.

NVIDIA GPU Compatibility List for macOS

NVIDIA GPU Compatibility List for macOS 100 Series (Tesla) Model Metal 10.6.x 10.7.x 10.8.x 10.9.x 10.10.x 10.11.x 10.12.x 10.13.x 10.14.x 10.15.x 11.x 12.x 13.x GeForce G 100 Yes Yes Yes (With patch No No No No GeForce GT 120 Yes Yes No No No No No GeForce...

elitemacx86.com

AMD GPU Compatibility List for macOS

AMD GPU Compatibility List for macOS AMD APU Compatibility https://elitemacx86.com/threads/amd-apu-compatibility-list-for-macos.1157/ 1. Desktop Series II. Radeon X500 Series Supported Since: 10.3 Max Native Support: 10.7.5 Max Patched Support: Metal: Not Supported H.264: H.265: Not...

elitemacx86.com

Requirements

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Following are the requirements for the implementation of DGPU Power Management on macOS. This applies to both, NVIDIA and AMD.

Graphics	macOS Compatible GPU. See NVIDIA and AMD GPU Compatibility for more information. NVIDIA 6xx or newer. AMD 7xxx or newer. Graphics must be enabled and recognized under Mac with full acceleration.
Kexts	Original/Native Power Management Kexts in S/L/E. Original/Native Graphics Kexts in S/L/E
GPU Rename	GPU must be renamed to GFX0.
macOS Version	OS X 10.10 and Later

QUICK INFO:

• This guide assumes that Graphics has been enabled and recognized under Mac with full acceleration.
• This guide does not work on Systems with multiple Discrete Graphics Card

STEP 1: Enable CPU Power Management
The very first step is to enable CPU Power Management on your System. To enable CPU Power Management, follow the guide linked below.

GUIDE - How to Enable CPU Power Management on macOS [Intel/AMD]

How to Enable CPU Power Management on macOS [Intel/AMD] This guide covers the implementation of CPU Power Management for Intel and AMD CPUs on macOS using Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable Intel or AMD CPU Power Management on macOS using Clover or OpenCore...

elitemacx86.com

STEP 2: Enable Graphics with acceleration
Before you enable DGPU Power Management, you need to enable your Graphics with full acceleration. Depending on the Graphics, either NVIDIA or AMD, follow the guide linked below.

GUIDE - How to Enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]

How to Enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS [Clover/OpenCore] An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of NVIDIA Graphics on macOS for Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader...

elitemacx86.com

GUIDE - How to Enable AMD Graphics in macOS [Clover/OpenCore]

How to Enable AMD Graphics in macOS An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of supported AMD GPU on macOS. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable AMD Graphics on macOS using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader. Overview Apple has been using a wide range of...

elitemacx86.com

STEP 3: Setup SMBIOS
The next step is to set up a correct System Definition (SMBIOS) according to your CPU model. To setup SMBIOS, follow the guide linked below

STEP 4: Find Board ID

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1. Download Hackintool from the Downloads section of this forum.
2. Open Hackintool.
3. Navigate to System Tab and note down the Board ID. The Board ID starts with "Mac-" You'll find something similar to the screenshot attached below.



STEP 5: Add Required Kext

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1. Download dAGPM.kext.
2. Mount your ESP.

For Clover:
Copy the dAGPM.kext to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

For OpenCore:
Copy the dAGPM.kext to EFI/OC/Kexts. You'll also need to add the kext entry in the Kernel section of your config.plist.

STEP 6: Add Board ID

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Once you have the Board ID from the above step #1, you'll need to add it to the dAGPM kext.

1. Right-click on dAGPM.kext and select Show Package Contents.
2. Open Contents and you'll see Info.plist.
3. Open Info.plist using any Plist Editor.
4. Once you open the Info.plist, move to IOKitPersonalities>AGPM>Machines and you'll see two options.

• Mac-AMD
• Mac-Nvidia

For AMD:
Copy the Board ID and paste it under Mac-AMD.

For NVIDIA:
Copy the Board ID and paste it under Mac-NVIDIA.

STEP 7: Restart your System

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After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect.

Verifying Discrete GPU Power Management

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The next step is to verify whether Discrete GPU Power Management is working or not.

Download IOReg and open it.

For AMD:

1. Verify AGPM under the GFX0 node.
2. Verify the Heuristic-ID property with a value of ff ff ff ff. The Heuristic-ID property is located under the AGPM node.


For NVIDIA:

1. Verify AGPM under the GFX0 node.
2. Verify the Heuristic-ID property with a value of 04 00 00 00. The Heuristic-ID property is located under the AGPM node.


Problem Reporting

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Details:

1. GPU model
2. macOS version
3. Copy of IOReg
4. Kextcache output

Screenshots:

• DPCIManager/Status
• About This Mac
• System Information/Graphics/Displays

Files:

• For Clover, compress EFI/Clover, exclude the themes folder.
• For OpenCore, compress EFI/OC.

Notes:

• Do not include complete EFI folder.
• Put all files in a folder with your name, compress files as Zip and attach files using site attachments only.
• Do not use any external links.

Credits:
Toleda