System incredibly slow after kernel update

[clifordjoshy]

After the latest kernel update, my laptop has become incredibly slow.
OS: Arch Linux
Kernel Version: 6.0.11-arch1-1

While auto-cpufreq is running, my cpu frequency on all cores seems to go down as far as 409 Hz.

I did stumble upon this reddit post which identified the issue as the new AMD p-state driver. But I didn't see the error reported here, so just passing it along.

As of now, I've had to disable auto-cpufreq to get a usable system.

System information:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linux distro: Arch Linux
Linux kernel: 6.0.11-arch1-1
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with Radeon Graphics
Cores: 12
Architecture: x86_64
Driver: amd-pstate

------------------------------ Current CPU stats ------------------------------

CPU max frequency: 2100 MHz
CPU min frequency: 400 MHz

Core	Usage	Temperature	Frequency
CPU0:	 10.6%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU1:	  0.0%     31 °C      400 MHz
CPU2:	  8.1%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU3:	  2.1%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU4:	  8.2%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU5:	  8.4%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU6:	  5.2%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU7:	  2.0%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU8:	  6.1%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU9:	  6.9%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU10:	  6.9%     31 °C      409 MHz
CPU11:	  1.0%     31 °C      400 MHz

CPU fan speed: 0 RPM

auto-cpufreq version: Version         : 1.9.7-1

Python: 3.10.8
psutil package: 5.9.4
platform package: 1.0.8
click package: 8.1.3
distro package: 1.8.0

Computer type: Notebook
Battery is: discharging

auto-cpufreq system resource consumption:
cpu usage: 0.0 %
memory use: 0.36 %

Total CPU usage: 7.7 %
Total system load: 1.69
Average temp. of all cores: 30.85 °C

Currently using: powersave governor
Currently turbo boost is: off

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[AdnanHodzic]

If I understand correctly from reddit post, you changed the kernel to "xen" and then everything worked fine?

If this is correct Readme Troubleshooting section should probably be updated with this ...

[boehs]

My computer has been soooo laggy for the past couple days, this explains it! Thank you!

[clifordjoshy]

If I understand correctly from reddit post, you changed the kernel to "xen" and then everything worked fine?

If this is correct Readme Troubleshooting section should probably be updated with this ...

The person in the reddit post isn't me, but as I understand it, they switched to the 6.0.11 zen kernel and the issue was solved. I believe 6.0.11-arch1-1 uses the new amd p-state driver and that's what is causing the issue. I'm not entirely sure if this is something that needs to be reported to the driver folks or here.

[abdullahsabbir]

Hi, I am the person who posted the issue on Reddit. I had no problem with the Arch Linux 6.0.10 kernel. The issue is present with any type of 6.0.11 kernel (I tested with the mainline and zen kernel). Disabling auto-cpufreq in 6.0.11 fixes the problem. And as OP and one of the commenters pointed out in the reddit post, it's probably happening because of the newly added AMD P-State driver to 6.0.11 kernel. Maybe disabling AMD P-State and using acpi-cpufreq will fix the issue, like it's described in the troubleshooting portion of Readme for Intel CPUs?

[biggus-dickus]

I was too affected by this misfortune, but disabling auto-cpufreq is definitely not an option for me. With it, I'm able to squeeze up to 6 hours from the battery!

Disabling amd-pstate did help, but there's no precise info on how to do this in the Readme (only an Intel related issue).

Setting GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="initcall_blacklist=amd_pstate_init amd_pstate.enable=0" in /etc/default/grub worked for me, and I am again using the acpi-cpufreq driver.

I believe, the Readme Troubleshooting should be updated with this, and if you agree, I can create a PR.

[boehs]

I'm curious now... How does battery differ between auto-cpufreq and p-state?

[AdnanHodzic]

@biggus-dickus

I believe, the Readme Troubleshooting should be updated with this, and if you agree, I can create a PR.

Please go for it, and I'll make sure to note your contribution in next release.

@abdullahsabbir that seems to be case as confirmde by @biggus-dickus. Let's go with this as a workaround for now, although it seems like a problem on Arch/kernel/driver side instead of auto-cpufreq, as it allows kernel to do the heavy lifting and auto-cpufreq simply pulls the necessary hooks to make system better optimized. Hence I'm bit baffled by what's happening here exactly.

[AdnanHodzic]

Thanks to @biggus-dickus and his changes in #466, in Troubleshooting session it's now explained how to resolve (workaround) this issue.

I'll leave this issue open for the time being for the reference and in case someone comes up with a better solution.

[jarebear6expepjozn6rakjq5iczi3irqwphcvb]

@AdnanHodzic would a good solution to this be adding a check for amd-pstate and giving the option to disable in the install script (auto-cpufreq-installer)? If so I can push a PR.

[AdnanHodzic]

@AdnanHodzic would a good solution to this be adding a check for amd-pstate and giving the option to disable in the install script (auto-cpufreq-installer)? If so I can push a PR.

@jarebear6expepjozn6rakjq5iczi3irqwphcvb Sounds good to me, please go ahead!